A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1600-1699
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Sexpence, Saxpens, Sixpens, n. Also: -penes. [ME and e.m.E. sexe-pans (Wyclif), sixepence (Shakespeare); Sex num. and pence, pens, pl. of Penny n.] a. A sum of money equal in value to six pence. b. A silver coin worth six pence; a trivial amount. Cf. Sex-pen(n)yadj. —a. 1621 Maxwell Mem. I 329.
For buttouning of ȝour gilt spuris that brak, ȝour mastership gaiff sax pens 1668 Dundee B. Laws 549.
Ewre [ed. owre] master … shall paye sixpenes Scotes of ewrie millfwll of cloth —b. 1641 Bk. Carlaverock II 139.
They intend nott to allow ane sax pens or peck of meil to me 1648 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 837.
Twentie pundis for the pryce of ane naig with sevin sex pences for the hyre therof 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X 359.
All … transactiones … proved … abortive … nor a sexpence of annuitie peyed or demandit 16… Boyd Fam. P. No. 251c.
A sixpens to the veif that did wash the cloaths
