Celebrating 50 years of decimal currency.
On 15 February 1971 Britain changed over from the centuries old system of pounds, shillings and pence to a new currency based on 100 pennies to the pound. This change affected the entire nation, bringing people together as they learnt to master a new way of valuing everything. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Decimal Day in February 2021, we hosted a national programme of activities with the aim of connecting generations and getting people talking about their memories of the changeover.
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![Reminiscence sessions](/siteassets/decimalisation/reminiscence-sessions/rem-small-banner.jpg?width=800)
Reminiscence sessions
Find out more about our well-being project for the anniversary of decimalisation.
![A history of decimalisation](/siteassets/decimalisation/history/teaser.jpg?width=800)
A history of decimalisation
Find out more about the monumental change from pounds, shillings and pence.
![Decimal collection](/siteassets/journal/history/decimalisation/teaser.jpg?width=800)
Decimal collection
The Royal Mint Museum has an outstanding collection of material relating to decimalisation.
![Going decimal](/siteassets/learning/learning-zone/decimal-kids/decimal-games-teaser.jpg?width=800)
Going decimal
What is decimalisation? How many shillings in a pound? All this and more on our Learning Zone!
![Short-story competition](/siteassets/decimalisation/short-story/short-story-teaser---closed.jpg?width=800)
Short-story competition
A competition open to all year five and year six primary school pupils in Wales.
![Cystadleuaeth Stori Fer](/siteassets/decimalisation/short-story/short-story-teaser-welsh---closed.jpg?width=800)
Cystadleuaeth Stori Fer
Cystadleuaeth sy’n agored i bob disgybl blwyddyn pump a chwech mewn ysgolion cynradd yng Nghymru.
![Medal design competition](/siteassets/decimalisation/medal-competition/medal-banner-mobile2---closed.jpg?width=800)
Medal design competition
Our decmialisation medal design competition open to all undergraduate university students.