Before 1977? (I think... )a pound was divided into 20 shillings. So, when the change "D-day / decimalization day" came, a shilling became 5 pence.
Nope, D-day was the 15th of Feb, 1971
**Before 1990 because of the old 5 shilling = 5 * 5 pence = 25 new pence, a crown was 25 pence at face value, which is a fourth of a pound. Because this coin is a hunk of metal (as you can tell)
The Royal Mint changed its value to a more fitting one: 5 pounds.
But, even though they are the same size (25p and 5 Pounds) all coins marked 5 shillings or "one crown" will only be accepted at 25 pence. And there's no vending machine fraud for this either, since neither the crown or 5 pound coin circulate regularly in Britain.
Edited by wd1040
04/11/2009 01:12 am