A farthing was the smallest unit of predecimal currency in the last 100 years. A farthing was one quarter (1/4) of a Penny. The last Farthing was minted in 1956. Halfpence As the name suggests a 'Half Penny' was worth one Half (1/2) of a Penny. So two farthings also make up half a penny. The last half penny for circulation was dated 1967. Penny (or 1D) The penny was really the basic unit of currency and had a lot more value than a modern 'New' Penny. There were 240 Pennies in a pre-decimal pound (£). The last penny for circulation was dated 1967. Threepence (or 3D) The Threepence, or 'thrupence' as it is also referred to was equal to three pennies. There were therefore eighty threepences in a pre-decimal pound (£). The last threepence for circulation was dated 1967. Sixpence (or 6D) Also called a 'Tanner'. Obviously worth Six Pennies. There were forty sixpences in a pre-decimal pound (£). The last sixpence for circulation was dated 1967. Shilling (or 1/-) A shilling was worth twelve pennies. There were 20 in the pre-decimal pound (£). The shilling was replaced by the five new pence (1/20 of a decimal pound (£)). The last shilling for circulation was dated 1967 although they were used as Five pence pieces until the Five new pence (5p) coin was made smaller in 1990. Florin (or Two Shillings, 2/-) The Florin was worth 24 pre-decimal pence or two shillings. It was introduced by the Victorians in a step towards decimalisation, because it was worth one tenth of a pre-decimal pound (£). The last florin for circulation was dated 1967 although they were used as Ten new pence (10p) until the ten pence coin was made smaller in 1992. Half Crown All the previous denominations have been worth double the denomination before them. That stops with the florin because the Half Crown was worth 30 pre-decimal pence (or two shillings and six pence). There were eight Half Crowns in a pound (£) The last half crown for circulation was dated 1967. Crown A Crown was worth 60 pre-decimal pence or one quarter of a pound (£). Although in the last 30 years+ of the pre-decimal currency Crowns were really only issued to mark special occasions. Crowns are still minted today and have been given a £5 face value. Half Sovereign and Sovereign Sovereigns have a face value of 20 Shillings (or one pound) and Half Sovereigns of 10 Shillings. As they are made of 22ct Gold they have a much higher real value and were not used as currency in recent years
Brilliant thread, well for us oldies anyway. I went to the fair at the common with my girl friend both aged about 15 with a few pennies between us and I found two half crowns as we walked in , We felt like millionaires for the day. I also remember and still have a FA Cup final ticket for £3
Back in the 1960's... The average house price was £2,500 A loaf of bread cost 5p A season ticket to see Manchester United cost £8.50 Anyone collect Green Shield Stamps back then? In 1965, 1 complete book would get you any of these; A set of six mugs in pastel colours Finlandia imported stainless steel tableware (8 pieces) A record rack A mouth organ A set of six lager glasses with gold rims A set of three pictures A cigarette box with a paisley pattern lid Stainless steel salad servers A gent's brush and comb set
WOW COYG - you certainly know your pre-decimal sterling I remember the thrupence because we had a few of them hanging around the house for years (no idea why though). Also remember Green Shield Stamps - and didn't the Co-op give stamps for their divi?
I remember the day decimalisation hit us in 1971. The tea/coffee vending machines at the place where I was doing my apprenticeship used to dispense their brown-hued sludge for 4d a cup, which meant you got 6 cups for 2/- (10p). The nearest decimal amount to 4d was 2p, which meant we only got 5 cups for 10p. Instant inflation of 16.67%, and a probably sensible rationing of the foul tasting muck. Where there wasn't a direct conversion, the price always went up and I believe I am right in saying that those economists who were against decimalisation claimed it had an overall inflationary effect of about 15%, while those for it claimed it was negligible so, based on the old maxim that the truth is about halfway between the fors and againsts, it was probably about 7% to 8%. Mind you, inflation was through the roof then anyway because OPEC, which was mainly the Arab states, had doubled the price of oil. Under the musical grocer yachtsman occupying No 10 at the time we were heading for the three day week and the (then) Common Market at any price. Those who are too young to remember have no idea what a basket case Britain was back then, but we had our sex, drugs and rock and roll and the optimism of youth. Happy days!
I'm still undecided on whether what Ted did was a good or a bad thing. The 70's does have a lot to answer for though
Either I was a lot smaller (true, but even so...... ) or everything was a lot bigger in the 70s. Have you seen the size of Wagon Wheels lately? Minute now.
You can laugh now.......... But one day matey.............. and it won't feel that long either........ before you have someone calling you grandad and asking you about 'the olden days'! And you'll find yourself reminiscing about 'I remember when.....' 'I remember when' I was 15 and my friends dad died....... what I remember was being really surprised that everyone was so upset, because, well he was really old, and that's what happens when you're as old as he was. It was many years before I realised that he was 'only' 41 and therefore rather young. But basically, your very words could have been mine
Remember the tv shows that were on in the 70's? Society would go into meltdown if an episode of 'Love Thy Neighbour' were to be shown today! As for sweets, 2 stick out in my mind. Spangles and frys peppermint cream
I remember the Spangles well. Very tasty. Fry's peppermint cream.......... you could get a green cream filling as well as the white cream filling. They also did a Sandwich - milk chocolate sandwiched between plain chocolate and the vice versa. Also Opal Fruits (made to make your mouth water.....)
My first [underage] pint of Courage Best cost 66p. I went through a phase a few years later of drinking lager and lime. Trouble is, the pub charged 10p for a shot of lime, so when the price of the pint went up from 90p to 95p, the lime had to go
I remember Sunday Nights at the pier, getting served even though only just 17 and thinking Watneys Red and this drinking lark was bloody expensive at 30p a pint. Good job I could only manage and was staggering after 3 pints
Under 16s night at the Mecca, when all the kids used to go to The Ship on Castle Way for an underage pint or Pernod and black first. The landlord must have known his pub was full of underage drinkers, but obviously didn't care.
Can any one remember how much they paid as kids to go to matches. I have an unreliable memory of paying 1s 6d round about 1960 at the kids turnstile. At primary school my bus fare was 1d for which I could get 2 sticks of liquorice. Liquorice & walk home (1.5 miles) or catch the bus was the big dilemma of the afternoon!
I remember getting a bit unstable on 5 pints of Gales' Cider at lunchtime (last day of school)....only cost just over a quid! Four Blackjacks/ Fruit Salad for 1d....how much are they now?
