British Coin Denominations from Roman Times to Date

British Coin Denominations - This list of British coin denominations includes a number of Roman denominations, as they were used in Britain when it was under the influence of Roman rule. Some first dates quoted may be approximate. If you spot any errors or improvements please let us know. I have not differentiated between issues of a denomination struck in different metals. For example, the florin is shown as having been first issued in 1344, when it was a gold coin. This may surprise those who have in mind the silver florin which entered circulation in 1849. I may at some later stage revise this list to show major changes in metal, however a thoroughly accurate listing would become slightly pedantic. Continuing with the florin example, it changed from a sterling silver coin after 1919, to become a debased silver coin with a 50% silver content, and after 1946, it was reduced to a silvery coloured cupro-nickel coin. The more observant will notice that I have not completed the "last date" column, this will follow shortly. Of course we could turn it into a competition. The first to complete the list, and advise me of the one deliberate error included in the table wins the nominal prize, an honorary mention and a pint. Non deliberate errors don't count towards the prize!

Full Table - A to Z Denomination

Notes

886** - The previous earliest halfpenny was for Alfred the Great, but one has since been recorded for Ceolwolf, dating it between 875 to 880.
1967* - Although the last date for these pre-decimal coins was 1967, a proof set was struck to commemorate the old £sd currency, containing coins dated 1970. These were only issued in the proof set for sale to collectors.

Maundy coins of fourpence, threepence, twopence and one penny are still produced annually, for presentation in the Maundy ceremony.

Finally...

For those not familiar with pre-decimal coins and monetary notation, values in pounds shillings and pence (£.s.d) were written in several ways. Five guineas which was 5 pounds and five shillings, was written 5 Gns, or £5/5/-, sometimes expressed as shillings, 105/-. Shillings and pence amounts were written 5/10 or 5/10d, and if halfpennies or farthings were present, then they would be shown as £15/12/2³/₄, meaning 15 pounds, 12 shillings, 2 pence, and 3 farthings.

The symbols £ meaning pound is from the latin libra meaning pound; s is not for shilling but for solidus, and d is for denarius.

A strange corruption has befallen the English language since decimalisation. The d for penny or pence was always pronounced as "penny" or "pence",