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2005/04/23

Storia: la decimalizzazione della sterlina, ovvero come NON fare un cambio di moneta

ON THIS DAY | 23 | 1968: Decimal coins reach the high street

"The first decimal coins are making their way into purses throughout Britain, in preparation for replacing the current system of pounds, shillings and pence by 1971. The five new pence and ten new pence coins operate alongside the shilling and the florin, and will have the same value. They are also the same size and weight....There was further misunderstanding over the value of a penny. Many thought the five new penny coin was worth five old pence - when it is in fact worth a shilling, or 12 old pence.

...The conversion to decimal currency continued gradually over the next three years. The 50p coin was next to be released, replacing the 10 shilling note in 1969. "Decimal Day" was 15 February 1971. The centuries-old tradition of using 12 pence to the shilling, and 20 shillings to the pound, was replaced by the new system of 100 new pence to the pound.