It hardly seems true but 40 years ago today saw the adoption of decimal currency in the United Kingdom. Until 15 February 1971 our coinage had been based on a system that dated back to Roman times whereby 240 pence equalled a pound weight in silver. We even referenced the old Latin terms: Librum, Solidus, Denarius.
First introduced in the 16th century, a pair of Thrupenny bits or 3d (3 pence). Not to be confused with cockney rhyming slang LOL.
For the record there were were 12 Pennies in the Shilling and 20 Shillings in the Pound. I can't begin to imagine how we all coped.
Read more here.
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