British Pre-Decimal System

[AGgressive Metal]

People get confused easily by old British coinage. I imported this list I made from the old realcent forum and I hope it helps.

The "d" they used to denote a penny is descended from denarius which was an ancient Latin/Roman currency term. The value expressed in "p" (pence) shown in the list is the theoretical conversion value in post-decimalization money on the current base 100 system.

Farthing ¼d (0.1p)
4 farthings = 1 penny
48 farthings = 1 shilling
960 farthings = £1

Half penny ½d (0.21p)
2 halfpennies = 1 penny
24 halfpennies = 1 shilling
480 halfpennies = £1
Slang: Ha'penny (hay penny)

Penny 1d (0.42p)
12 pennies = 1 shilling
240 pennies = £1

Three pence 3d (1.25p)
4 x three pence = 1 shilling
80 threepennies = £1
Slang: Thruppenny bit

Six pence 6d (2.5p)
2 x six pence = 1 shilling
40 sixpennies = £1
Slang: Tanner

Shilling 1/- (5p)
12 pence = 1 shilling
20 shillings = £1
Slang: Bob

Florin 2/- (10p)
24 pence = a florin
2 shillings = a florin
10 florins = £1

Half Crown 2/6 (12.5p)
30 pence = a half crown
2 s. 6d. = a half crown
8 half crowns = £1
Slang: Half dollar, Two n Six

Crown 5/- (25p)
60 pence = a Crown
5 Shillings = a crown
4 Crowns = £1

Bank Notes:
10 Shillings (10 Bob)
1 Pound (quid)
5 Pounds (fiver)
10 Pounds (tenner)
20 Pounds
50 Pounds

Progression:
2 farthing = 1 halfpenny, 2 halfpennies = 1 penny, 3 pennies = 1 thruppence, 2 thruppence = 1 Sixpence, 2 sixpence = 1 shilling, 2 shillings = 1 florin, 10 florins = 1 Pound (Gold Sovereign), 1 Pound & a shilling = one guinea.

Real World Price Expression pre-71:
Something that was 1 pound, 13 shillings, 11 pence, and 1 farthing would be expressed £1/13/11¼. Something that was 4 Shillings would be 4/-, and something 5 Shillings and 4 Pence would be 5/4 and something that was 3 pence would be 3d. A Guinea was 21 Shillings, or £1/1.

[AGgressive Metal]

First quiz,

1. You have two (2) One Shilling coins, a sixpence, and three (3) One Penny coins. Express the total amount in price format.

2. What would £1/10/8 translate to in modern British Pounds?

3. You buy an item at Piccadilly Circus in 1964 for 3/6 and pay with a Crown, what change do you expect?

4. Mary Poppins comes uninvited down your home's chimney in London, do you:

A) Make the sign of the cross and pray for God's protection from her sorcery.
B) Grab for the nearest blunt object or firearm, in hopes she is flesh and can be defeated.
c) Run screaming mad into the streets having just witnessed witchcraft.
d) Invite her to raise your children and live in your house.

5. Which of the following denominations never existed in the British Monarchy or British Empire?

A) Quarter Florin
B) 1/12th Anna
C) 1/24th Shilling
D) 1/8th Shilling
E) Quarter Farthing

6. Total the following amounts 8/- + 6/9 + 3d = ???

[uthminsta]

Very cool. Check your wording on #3.

[AGgressive Metal]

Very cool. Check your wording on #3.

good catch

[LooseChange]

Quiz #1
My attempt at answering:

1) 2/9
2) 1.53 pounds
3) 1/6 (1 Shilling and 6 Pence)
4) "C"
5) "D" (1/8th Shilling)
6) 15/- (Fifteen Shillings)

.....Am I even close?

[AGgressive Metal]

Quiz #1
1) 2/9
2) 1.53 pounds
3) 1/6 (1 Shilling and 6 Pence)
4) "C" Trick question: correct answer: "She turned me into a newt, burn her!"
5) "D" (1/8th Shilling)
6) 15/- (Fifteen Shillings)

5/5 = 100% You are a scholar and an English gentleman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sglyFwTjfDU