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Decimal Day facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Decimal Day is the name that was given to 15 February 1971 in the United Kingdom (UK). It was the day that the UK decimalised (converted to a decimal-based system of currency). Before that date the UK used the "pound (£) - shilling (s) - pence (d)" currency system. The old system was known as the "£sd" system, after the abbreviations of the unit names. £sd is pronounced L-S-D. In the £sd system £1 = 20s and 1s = 12d, so £1 = 240d. In the new decimal system there are no shillings and there are 100 (new) pence (abbreviated as "p") in a pound - so £1 = 100p.

Images for kids

  • Decimal Day Coins

    An introductory pack of the new currency.

  • British decimalisation training stamps in blocks

    British decimalisation training stamps in the same colours and values as the upcoming decimal stamps

  • Decimal adder

    A "Decimal Adder"

  • Cash register (8058279685) (2)

    Cash register in Ireland; the keys have values in "new pence" above and "old pence" below.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Día de la decimalización para niños

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Decimal Day Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.