Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Sterling (ISO code: GBP) is the currency of the United Kingdom and nine of its associated territories. [3] The pound is the main unit of sterling, [4] [c] and the word pound is also used to refer to the British currency generally, [7] often qualified in international contexts as the British pound or the pound sterling. [4]
The British decimal five pence coin (often shortened to 5p in writing and speech) is a denomination of sterling coinage worth 5 ⁄ 100 of a pound.Its obverse has featured the profile of the British monarch since the coin’s introduction on 23 April 1968, replacing the shilling in preparation for decimalisation in 1971. [1]
Prior to decimalisation in 1971, there were 12 pence (written as 12d) in a shilling (written as 1s or 1/-) and 20 shillings in a pound, written as £1 (occasionally "L" was used instead of the pound sign, £). There were therefore 240 pence in a pound. For example, 2 pounds 14 shillings and 5 pence could have been written as £2 14s 5d or £2/14/5
Each troy ounce of sterling silver was henceforth minted into 66 pence or 5 1 ⁄ 2 shillings. In 1920, the silver content of all British coins was reduced from 92.5% to 50%, with some of the remainder consisting of manganese , which caused the coins to tarnish to a very dark colour after they had been in circulation for long.
The British pre-decimal penny was a denomination of sterling coinage worth 1 ⁄ 240 of one pound or 1 ⁄ 12 of one shilling.Its symbol was d, from the Roman denarius.It was a continuation of the earlier English penny, and in Scotland it had the same monetary value as one pre-1707 Scottish shilling.
The British decimal two pence coin (often shortened to 2p in writing and speech) is a denomination of sterling coinage equalling 2 ⁄ 100 of a pound.Since the coin's introduction on 15 February 1971, the year British currency was decimalised, its obverse has featured four profiles of Queen Elizabeth II. [1]
The British decimal fifty pence coin (often shortened to 50p in writing and speech) is a denomination of sterling coinage worth 1 ⁄ 2 of one pound. Its obverse has featured the profile of the current British monarch since the coin's introduction in 1969. As of November 2024, six different royal portraits have been used.
It was introduced by David I, in the 12th century, on the Carolingian monetary system of a pound divided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. The Scottish currency was later devalued relative to sterling by debasement of its coinage. [citation needed] By the time of James III, one pound Scots was valued at five shillings sterling. [citation needed]