Pre-Decimal

Exactly 50 years ago these coins became obsolete, to be replaced by those in the extra, of the decimal system. Over the years changes were made to the design on the reverse (that opposite the regnal head) of certain coins although the coppers remained the same. Even decimal coins were updated, the 50p made smaller and more recently, the £1 coin redesigned.

Main photo bottom row, R-L:-
crown, value 5 shillings, dated 1953 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II;
 half-crown, value 2 shillings and six pence, dated 1920;
 florin value 2 shillings dated1914;
 shillings dated top to bottom 1947 and 1955;
 6 pence (sixpenny bit) dated 1925 and 1947.

 Top row:-
 silver 3 pence (threepenny bit), dated 1940, 1935 and 1920;
 brass 3 penny (threepenny bit) dated 1960 and 1942;
 one penny dated 1868;
 halfpenny (ha'penny bit) dated1966;
 farthing dated 1943.

I recall the difficulties experienced, by elderly people in particular, in using the new coinage, particularly in trying to equate the values but I have to admit a decimal system is easier on the brain.