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when did the uk go decimal

The UK officially went decimal on 15 February 1971, a date that became known as “Decimal Day.”

Quick Scoop: when did the UK go decimal?

  • Decimalisation happened on 15 February 1971.
  • This day was widely referred to as Decimal Day and marked the end of the old pounds–shillings–pence system (£sd).
  • From then on, the pound was divided into 100 new pence , instead of 20 shillings of 12 pence (240 pence) to the pound.

Tiny bit of story

Overnight in February 1971, people woke up to price tags, coins, and shop tills all working in a new, cleaner base‑10 system. Older generations often joked about converting things back into “real money,” but the change went more smoothly than many had feared.

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