Decimalisation

Pre Decimal coins

As the song goes “…sign a song of six pence….”  But what exactly is it?  A penny farthing is named for the largest and smallest coins in circulation at the time, but what is a farthing?  And a shilling?

Well, for the answers to those questions, you’ll have to read the Wikipedia article on when the UK experienced decimalisation (or Decimalization in American English).

But why am I writing about this now?  Well, the 15th of February 2011 will be the 40th anniversary of when the UK decimalized.  If you’d like to read more about it, I would suggest starting with this recent BBC article.

On a side note, you’ll also find out why a 10d nail is called a 10 penny nail.

Image from duncan brown via flickr

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