British Money


So much of the literature we read makes references to monetary systems that seem unfamiliar. Here's a breakdown of the British money, from the farthing to the guiea.

1 farthing (the lowest value coin) = 1/4 penny
1956 - the last year farthings were minted

A ha'penny (Half-penny - a copper coin) = 1/2 penny
(pronounced "heipnee")
1967 - the last year ha'pennies were minted

1 penny (a copper coin) = one of the basic units (1d)
A typical Victorian penny, from 1860

Tuppence (two cents) = 2 pence (2d)
A Georgian two-penny coin, from 1797

Threepence or Thruppenny Bit = 3 pence
(pronounced "thruppence")
A Georgian three-penny coin, from 1937

Sixpence (a silver coin also called a "tanner") = 6 pence
A Victorian six-penny coin, from 1884

1 shilling = 12 pence (1s)
A Victorian one-shilling coin, from 1877

1 florin = 2 shillings = 1/10 of a pound
A Victorian florin coin, from 1849

A half-crown = 2 shillings and 6 pence
A Victorian half-crown, from 1899

1 crown = 5 shillings = 1/4 pound
A Victorian crown, from 1890

1 pound = 20 shillings = 240 pence (£1)
An Elizabethan pound coin, from 2013

1 sovereign = a gold coin with a face value of £1
(about .24 ounces of 22 carat gold)
An Elizabethan sovereign coin, from 2013

A guinea = a gold coin, originally made of gold
from the Guinea coast of Africa, worth 21s (or £1 and 1s).

A guinea was considered a more gentlemanly amount than £1,
so a gentleman paid his tailor in shillings, but his barrister in guineas.
A Georgian guinea coin, from 1739