Decimal
Since decimalisation on "Decimal Day" in 1971, the pound has been divided into 100 pence. Originally the term "new pence" was used; the word "new" was dropped from the coinage in 1982. The old shilling equated to five (new) pence, and, for example, £2 10s 6d became £2.52½. The symbol for the (old) penny, "d", was replaced by "p" (or initially sometimes "np", for new pence). Thus 72 pence can be written as £0.72 or 72p; both would commonly be read as "seventy-two pee".
| Name | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Half penny | £0.005 1⁄2p | Sometimes written "ha'penny" (pronounced HAY-p'nee), but normally called a "half-pee"; demonetised and withdrawn from circulation in December 1984. |
| One penny | £0.01 1p | |
| Two pence | £0.02 2p | |
| Five pence | £0.05 5p | A direct replacement for the shilling. In 1990 it was reduced in size. |
| Ten pence | £0.10 10p | A replacement for the florin (two shillings). It was reduced in size in 1992. |
| Twenty pence | £0.20 20p | Introduced in 1982. |
| Twenty-five pence | £0.25 25p or "crown". | A commemorative coin issued between 1972 and 1981 as a post-decimal continuation of the old crown. From 1990 it was replaced in the commemorative role by the £5 coin. |
| Fifty pence | £0.50 50p | Introduced in 1969, just prior to decimalisation, to replace the ten shilling note ("ten bob note"). It was initially sometimes called a "ten bob bit". The coin was reduced in size in 1997. |
| One pound | £1 | Introduced in 1983 to replace the one pound note. |
| Two pounds | £2 | Issued as a commemorative coin from 1986 and in general circulation from 1997. |
| Five pounds | £5 or "crown". | Introduced in 1990 as a commemorative coin, replacing the commemorative role of the twenty-five pence coin. |
| Britannia, sovereign and half sovereign | Bullion coins issued to various values. |
Read more about this topic: List Of British Banknotes And Coins, Coins
Famous quotes containing the word decimal:
“It makes little sense to spend a month teaching decimal fractions to fourth-grade pupils when they can be taught in a week, and better understood and retained, by sixth-grade students. Child-centeredness does not mean lack of rigor or standards; it does mean finding the best match between curricula and children’s developing interests and abilities.”
—David Elkind (20th century)