Wedding Sixpence vs. Lucky Penny: What's the Difference?

A bride once asked me:

"Can I just use a lucky penny instead?"

Honestly?

It's a fair question.

Both are coins.

Both have a reputation for bringing good luck.

Both are small enough to disappear into the bottom of a purse and somehow still turn up six years later.

So what's the difference?

Quite a bit, actually.

And the answer has less to do with money than it does with meaning.

Why This Moment Matters

Wedding traditions aren't really about rules.

They're about stories.

Nobody carries a special coin on their wedding day because they're hoping it will magically guarantee a perfect marriage.

(If only it were that easy.)

They carry it because the tradition represents hope.

Love.

Blessing.

Family.

And that's where the wedding sixpence and lucky penny begin to take different paths.

What Is a Lucky Penny?

Most Americans grew up hearing:

"Find a penny, pick it up, and all day long you'll have good luck."

The lucky penny tradition isn't specifically connected to weddings.

It's a general symbol of good fortune.

People carry lucky pennies in pockets, purses, wallets, and sometimes shoes.

Many brides tuck a penny into their wedding shoe simply because they've heard it's lucky.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

A lucky penny is a sweet tradition.

What Is a Wedding Sixpence?

A wedding sixpence is a British coin with a very specific connection to marriage.

It comes from the famous wedding rhyme:

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe.

Unlike the lucky penny, the sixpence wasn't simply considered a good luck charm.

It was part of an actual wedding tradition passed down through generations.

The coin symbolized:

Prosperity
Blessing
Happiness
Good fortune
A hopeful future together

You can learn more in What Is a Wedding Sixpence? Everything Brides Need to Know.

The Biggest Difference: One Was Made for Weddings

This is really the simplest answer.

A lucky penny can certainly be part of a wedding.

A wedding sixpence was created as part of a wedding tradition.

It's the difference between:

Bringing flowers to a wedding.

And carrying a bouquet.

Both involve flowers.

One has a deeper connection to the occasion itself.

Why Brides Often Choose a Wedding Sixpence

Many brides discover the sixpence tradition while searching for:

Something old wedding ideas
Meaningful wedding traditions
Family heirloom wedding ideas
Good luck wedding customs

And they fall in love with it because it feels personal.

The coin becomes more than a symbol of luck.

It becomes part of the wedding story.

The Year Makes a Difference

Here's another place where the wedding sixpence stands apart.

Authentic sixpence coins were minted between 1953 and 1967.

Many brides intentionally choose a year connected to:

Grandma's wedding
Mom and Dad's anniversary
A beloved grandparent's birth year
Another meaningful family milestone

Now the coin isn't just lucky.

It's personal.

A lucky penny usually doesn't carry that same connection.

Learn more in Why Choosing a Wedding Sixpence by Year Makes the Tradition Even More Meaningful.

Can a Bride Carry Both?

Absolutely.

In fact, some brides do.

A lucky penny might represent a personal family tradition.

A wedding sixpence might honor the wedding rhyme.

Traditions don't have to compete.

They can work together.

The goal isn't perfection.

The goal is meaning.

Which One Makes a Better Wedding Gift?

This is where the wedding sixpence has a unique advantage.

A lucky penny is often something a bride finds herself.

A wedding sixpence is frequently gifted by:

Fathers
Mothers
Grandparents
Bridesmaids
Best friends
Future mothers-in-law

The gift becomes a moment.

A blessing.

A story.

And those stories are often what brides remember most.

Listen While You Read

Sixpence for My Shoe celebrates the stories, blessings, and family connections that make wedding traditions so meaningful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a lucky penny the same as a wedding sixpence?

No. A lucky penny is a general good luck symbol, while a wedding sixpence is part of a specific wedding tradition connected to the wedding rhyme.

Can I use a penny instead of a sixpence?

You can. Many brides do. However, the sixpence carries additional symbolism and historical connection to wedding traditions.

Why is a sixpence considered lucky?

Historically, the sixpence symbolized prosperity, blessing, happiness, and good fortune in marriage.

Can I carry both a lucky penny and a wedding sixpence?

Absolutely. Many brides incorporate multiple meaningful traditions into their wedding day.

Which makes a better wedding keepsake?

A wedding sixpence is often kept as a lasting wedding memento because of its connection to the wedding day, family history, and the wedding rhyme.

A Closing Reflection

At the end of the day, neither coin is really about luck.

They're about hope.

About carrying something meaningful into a new chapter.

A lucky penny can certainly do that.

A wedding sixpence simply adds another layer—a tradition that has connected brides, families, and wedding-day blessings for generations.

And that's a pretty beautiful thing to carry down the aisle.

Years from now, she probably won't remember every wedding detail. But she'll remember who handed her a tiny silver coin and told her why it mattered. That's the beauty of a Gutsy Goodness Bridal Sixpence. It isn't just part of a wedding day. It becomes part of the story she tells long after the celebration is over.

Lisa Copen is the co-owner of Gutsy Goodness, where she helps brides, parents, grandparents, and gift-givers celebrate life's most meaningful moments through heartfelt keepsakes, wedding traditions, and family stories. She is the author of A Bride's Guide to Wedding Day Memorials and Emotional Survival and creator of Build a Bouquet Charm.

After helping thousands of brides navigate both the joyful and bittersweet sides of wedding planning, Lisa developed a passion for preserving meaningful wedding traditions—including the beloved "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe" rhyme. Through her articles, keepsakes, and wedding resources, she helps families create moments that become treasured memories for generations.

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