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I'm posting this for my own reference mainly, since if I just xerox it I'll lose it, and I'll forget where I saw it otherwise. This is an explanation of old English currency, from Victorian London: The Tale of a City, 1840-1870, by Liza Picard. Others might find it interesting/useful.
Copper or bronze coins in circulation began at a farthing, worth a quarter of a penny, then a halfpenny (pronounced 'haypenny'), a penny, a two-penny piece and a four-penny piece. There were twelve pennies in a shilling.
Silver coins in circulation began at a three-penny (pronounced 'thripenny') bit, then a sixpence, a shilling, a florin worth 2 shillings, a half-crown and a crown worth 5 shillings. There were 20 shillings in the £.
Gold coins in circulation were half-sovereigns and sovereigns. A sovereign was worth £1. It was about the size of a modern £1 piece, but heavier.
A guinea was used to express professional fees and in other prestigious spheres. It was not a coin. It was worth £1 1s.
After 1844 all banknotes were issued by the Bank of England, for £5, £10, £20, £100, £200, £500, and £1000.
Copper or bronze coins in circulation began at a farthing, worth a quarter of a penny, then a halfpenny (pronounced 'haypenny'), a penny, a two-penny piece and a four-penny piece. There were twelve pennies in a shilling.
Silver coins in circulation began at a three-penny (pronounced 'thripenny') bit, then a sixpence, a shilling, a florin worth 2 shillings, a half-crown and a crown worth 5 shillings. There were 20 shillings in the £.
Gold coins in circulation were half-sovereigns and sovereigns. A sovereign was worth £1. It was about the size of a modern £1 piece, but heavier.
A guinea was used to express professional fees and in other prestigious spheres. It was not a coin. It was worth £1 1s.
After 1844 all banknotes were issued by the Bank of England, for £5, £10, £20, £100, £200, £500, and £1000.
