decimal day Archives - Hattons of London

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The 2020 Pre-Decimal 50th Anniversary Gold Sovereign Range

Posted on September 21, 2020July 28, 2021 by Richard Costello

The 2020 Pre-decimal 50th Anniversary Gold One-Eighth Sovereign Banner

In 1970, the last ever pre-decimal coins were struck. Pre-Decimal coinage is however very much still heard and seen today, despite there being many younger generations who have only ever known ‘Decimal’ currency of pounds and pence, missing out on centuries of history and tradition.

Decimalisation, or Decimal Day as it is most known, occurred in 1971 after the pre-decimal system was deemed too complicated with pounds, shillings and pence. Initially, the plan was to make the new decimal currency into cents and dollars (known more in the USA), but this was reconsidered, and pounds and pence were the chosen coinage.

Queen Elizabeth II: Pre Decimal vs Decimal Coins

Posted on August 5, 2020September 7, 2023 by Richard Costello

Although decimalisation occurred in 1971, the names of pre decimal coinage can still be seen and heard today; making them very much a part of British Culture and history. For the period before decimalisation, Britain relied on a system of pounds, shillings and pence.

There were 12 pennies to the shilling and 20 shillings to the pound. There were also Half Crowns, Three Pennies, Sixpences and Farthings. Prior to the decimalisation era, many had problems dealing with the complicated system, with Sir John Bowring, a Member of Parliament at the time, being one of the first calling to change to a currency based on units of ten.