A history of decimalisation
For hundreds of years Britain used a system of coinage based on twelve pennies to the shilling and twenty shillings to the pound. Find out more about pre-decimal currency and the changeover to the decimal coins we are familiar with today.
![Pounds, Shillings and Pence](/siteassets/journal/history/pounds-shillings-and-pence/william-i-teaser.jpg?width=800)
Pounds, Shillings and Pence
The pre-decimal currency system consisted of a pound of 20 shillings or 240 pence.
![The Move to South Wales](/siteassets/journal/history/the-move-to-south-wales/move-teaser.jpg?width=800)
The Move to South Wales
In 1966 the decision to adopt a decimal currency system, required the Mint to strike millions of decimal coins.
![London to Llantrisant Exhibition](/siteassets/journal/curators-corner/virtual-museum/ltolteaser.jpg?width=800)
London to Llantrisant Exhibition
Explore a virtual tour of our temporary exhibition celebrating 50 years of the Royal Mint in Wales.
![Decimalisation](/siteassets/journal/history/decimalisation/decimalisation-history-teaser.jpg?width=800)
Decimalisation
On 1 March 1966 the Chancellor of the Exchequer, James Callaghan, announced that the centuries-old £sd system would be replaced by a decimal currency.
![Christopher Ironside](/siteassets/journal/people/christopher-ironside/ironside-teaser.jpg?width=800)
Christopher Ironside
Christopher Ironside prepared the reverse designs for all new denominations introduced during decimalisation.
![Demise of the Florin](/siteassets/journal/curators-corner/florin/florin-teaser.jpg?width=800)
Demise of the Florin
When the old-sized 10p pieces ceased to be legal tender at the end of June 1993, florins of the former £sd coinage were removed from circulation.
You might also like
![Film Collection](/siteassets/collection/film-and-photographs/film-teaser2.jpg?width=800)
Film Collection
Not unnaturally, perhaps, film-makers have always been keen to record footage of the Royal Mint in operation.
![The Royal Mint Advisory Committee](/siteassets/journal/history/rmac/rmac-teaser.jpg?width=800)
The Royal Mint Advisory Committee
The Committee was established in 1922 with the personal approval of George V.