SHORT HISTORY OF UK COINAGE.

Prior to Decimalisation the UK currency was £ s d, the smallest value coin being a Farthing (1/4 of a penny), then there was the Half Penny, Penny, Three Pence (thru'pence), Six Pence (tanner), a Shilling (bob), Two Shillings or Florin and the Half-Crown (2s6d).

The £ consisted of 20 shillings, a Shilling consisted of 12 pennies (d) and a penny consisted of two half-pennies or four farthings, these coins bore exact relationship to each other by weight which was very handy for the banks.

2 x Six Pences weighed the same as One Shilling.

4 x Six Pences Weighed the same as One Florin (two shillings).

5 x Six Pences weighed the same as One Half-Crown.

Bronze coins were also used as useful measurements of weight and length, the diameter of the half-penny was almost exactly one inch, while five pennies placed side-by-side provided a reasonably correct six inch measurement.  Three pennies or five half-pennies weighed one ounce.

Prior to Decimalisation on 14th February 1971, you could possibly find coins in your change that dated back nearly a hundred years. Today the earliest date you could find would be 1971 on the Two Pence and One Pence pieces.  When Decimalisation took place the mint were very surprised at the amount of Half-Crowns handed in as they didn't think that there were as many in circulation!

During winter months the shillings were very hard to come by as large numbers were locked up in Electricity and Gas meters, during it's last years in circulation the half-Penny could buy very little except a few sweets for the children but this did not stop large numbers still being produced, as they were still required for change by the nations shops.

Major Milestones in UK Coinage.

1966  The Government announced the go ahead to decimalise the UK currency.

1968  Prior to full decimalisation the 5p and 10p coins were brought in to slowly replace the shilling and two shilling coins, both being used side by side.

1969  Issue of the worlds first seven sided coin, the 50p piece.

1971  Decimalisation Day, the UK's new coinage brought into circulation consisting of the 1/2p, 1p and 2p coins.

1973  The reverse of the 50p was changed to commemorate Britain's entry into the EEC.

1982  The word "New" was dropped from the coins as now it was considered out of date, also the seven sided 20p coin was issued.

1983  The One Pound coin was introduced to replace the paper pound note.

1984  The 1/2p was finally withdrawn from circulation as due to inflation it had no monetary value.

1985  Arnold Machin's portrait of the Queen was removed from the coins of the UK and replaced by a new portrait by Raphael Maklouf.

1986  The first two pound coin was produced to commemorate the Commonwealth Games.

1990 The smaller 5p was introduced.

1992  Copper-plated steel coins replaced bronze as the alloy for 1p and 2p coins, although in 1998 the 2p coin was minted using both materials.

1992  The smaller 10p coin was introduced.

1997  The smaller 50p coin was introduced.

1998  The first bi-metalic £2 coin was introduced.

1998  A new portrait of the Queen was introduced for use on all coins, this design being by Ian Rank-Broadley.