UK Pre Decimal Coin Values: A Complete Guide
Posted by: Ian • 16 Oct 2025
Figuring out the value of old British coins means getting your head around the old pounds, shillings, and pence system. Before the UK went decimal in 1971, a pound was made up of 20 shillings or 240 pence. It's a system that can make valuing old coins a bit confusing at first glance. While a few rare coins can be worth a small fortune, most are quite common. Our service is designed to give you a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to find out what your entire collection is worth, with no need to sort a thing.
A Guide to Pre-Decimal Currency
Before the UK switched to the system we use today, its currency was a wonderful, if slightly complicated, mix of pounds (£), shillings (s), and pence (d). This £sd system, as it's often called, was part of British life for over a thousand years and is the foundation for valuing any pre-decimal coin. Understanding how it worked is the first step to appreciating the history in your hands.
This infographic gives you a great visual breakdown of how the old £sd system fitted together.
As you can see, the currency was built on multiples of 12 and 20—a world away from today's simple, decimal-based money.
The Structure of the £sd System
The British pre-decimal system was based on the pound sterling, which was split into 20 shillings. Each of those shillings was then divided into 12 pence, which meant there were 240 pence to a pound. The roots of this £sd system go all the way back to medieval times, and it stayed in place right up until Decimal Day on 15 February 1971. You can dive deeper into its fascinating history over at the Royal Mint Museum.
Trying to make sense of it all can feel like a real chore, especially if you’ve inherited a large, jumbled collection of old coins.
Our process is designed for total convenience. You don't need to sort or identify anything—not pre-decimal coins, leftover foreign currency, or obsolete banknotes. Just send us everything, and we'll handle the rest.
We provide a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed exchange service. We’re trusted by major brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, offering a credible and straightforward way to cash in on old coins and notes. To get started, just head over to our homepage.
A Complete List Of UK Pre-Decimal Coins
Getting to grips with the old £sd (pounds, shillings, and pence) system is the first step to truly appreciating your coin collection. Each coin, from the tiny Farthing to the hefty Half-Crown, had a specific job to do in Britain's economy for hundreds of years. This guide is a straightforward reference to help you identify the main pre-decimal coins you might have stashed away.
Before the UK went decimal in 1971, the coinage was wonderfully complex. It wasn't just about pounds and shillings; there were farthings (¼ of a penny), halfpennies (½d), threepence (3d), sixpences (6d), florins (two shillings), and half-crowns (two shillings and sixpence). The humble farthing was produced from 1860 right up until 1956, while the last old penny was minted in 1967.
Telling them all apart can be tricky, but our service is designed to be fast and completely hassle-free. There's no need for you to sort through them all; just send us everything you have, whether it's pre-decimal money, leftover foreign currency, or old banknotes.
Quick Reference UK Pre-Decimal Coin Denominations
To give you a quick overview, here’s a simple table breaking down the old coins and what they were worth in relation to each other. It’s a handy reference to keep nearby as you sort through a collection.
| Coin Name | Value in Pence (d) | Value in Shillings (s) | Fraction of £1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farthing | 0.25d | 1/48s | 1/960 |
| Halfpenny | 0.5d | 1/24s | 1/480 |
| Penny | 1d | 1/12s | 1/240 |
| Threepence | 3d | ¼s | 1/80 |
| Sixpence | 6d | ½s | 1/40 |
| Shilling | 12d | 1s | 1/20 |
| Florin | 24d | 2s | 1/10 |
| Half-Crown | 30d | 2s 6d | 1/8 |
| Crown | 60d | 5s | ¼ |
This table should help you quickly identify the basic value of any pre-decimal coin you come across.
Common Pre-Decimal Coin Denominations
Let's dive a bit deeper into the coins you're most likely to find. Each had its own unique size, metal, and design that made it instantly recognisable.
- Farthing (¼d): The smallest coin in circulation, worth just a quarter of an old penny. It was a bronze coin, and in its later years, it became famous for the wren design on its reverse.
- Halfpenny (½d): Worth half a penny, this bronze coin was bigger than the farthing. Most people remember it for its depiction of either Britannia or Sir Francis Drake's ship, the Golden Hind.
- Penny (1d): The classic bronze coin that formed the base of the system. It took 12 pence to make one shilling. Its most famous design is the iconic seated Britannia.
- Threepence (3d): Known affectionately as the "thruppenny bit," this one came in two distinct forms: a tiny silver coin and, later, a very distinctive 12-sided brass version.
- Sixpence (6d): A small silver (and later cupronickel) coin worth six old pence. It was widely seen as a lucky charm and was traditionally slipped into Christmas puddings.
Higher Value Shilling Denominations
The shilling was the workhorse of the higher-value coinage, with several key denominations based on it. These were the coins used for more significant purchases.
Here are the main ones to look out for:
- Shilling (1s or 12d): There were 20 shillings in a pound. These coins started out as silver but were switched to cupronickel after 1947.
- Florin (2s or 24d): This was also known as a two-shilling piece. Interestingly, it was worth exactly a tenth of a pound, which was an early experiment with decimalisation.
- Half-Crown (2s 6d or 30d): A large, popular coin made of silver (and later cupronickel) that was worth two shillings and sixpence. You can learn more about the British pre-decimal Half-Crown coin in our dedicated guide.
- Crown (5s or 60d): Valued at five shillings, the Crown was the largest denomination coin in general circulation, though in the 20th century it was mostly minted for commemorative occasions.
How Monarchs and Mints Affect Coin Values
The monarch’s head on a coin is far more than just decoration; it’s one of the biggest clues to its potential value. The specific ruler and the year a coin was struck can completely change its rarity and, therefore, its price. For collectors, some dates or reigns are much more desirable than others, often because of things like low mintage numbers, historical events, or even changes in the metal used. This is exactly why two shillings that look almost identical can have wildly different values.
Take, for instance, a coin minted during a very short reign, like Edward VIII's. It's automatically going to be rarer than one from the long and productive reign of Queen Victoria. In the same way, coins produced during wartime often had smaller mintages or were made from alternative metals, creating interesting and valuable varieties. It’s these little details that really drive the market for pre-decimal coins.
Sorting through a big bag of mixed coins to spot these gems is a huge task, and honestly, it’s often a waste of time if you’re not an expert. Our service is designed to remove that headache completely. We offer a fast, easy, and hassle-free way to convert foreign coins and banknotes, which includes all your old UK money. You don't need to sort a thing; our process is 100% guaranteed.
Key Monarchs and Their Coinage
Between 1801 and 1967, pre-decimal coins were issued under nine different monarchs. Each reign, from George III right through to Elizabeth II, introduced its own unique designs and specifications. For collectors, this era is a real treasure trove, with some coins like the 1933 penny becoming the stuff of legend due to their extreme rarity. The sheer variety of denominations and metals tells a fascinating story about Britain's monetary history. You can find out more about coin values from 1801 to 1967 here.
While hunting for these special coins can be fun, it really does require specialist knowledge. Many common coins look virtually identical to their rare cousins.
Instead of spending hours squinting through a magnifying glass, you can exchange your entire collection with us in one simple move. We’re trusted by major UK brands, including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, to handle all their currency exchange needs.
Whether you need to exchange foreign coins from a holiday or cash in an old jar of pence, we make it simple. We assess the bulk value of your currency, making sure you get a fair price without all the effort of a detailed inspection. Ready to get started? Visit our homepage to see just how easy it is.
Key Factors That Determine Pre-Decimal Coin Value
Figuring out what old coins are really worth is about much more than the number stamped on them. While a shilling was always worth twelve old pence back in the day, its value to a collector today hinges on a few key things. Understanding what to look for helps explain why two coins that look almost identical can have wildly different pre decimal coin values.
It's this kind of detail that makes our service so helpful. We handle the tricky assessment for you, making the whole process fast, easy, and completely hassle-free. You don’t need to be a coin expert to get value from a collection. We're trusted by major UK brands—including charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces—to give a credible and straightforward valuation.
Condition and Coin Grading
The physical state of a coin, known as its condition or grade, is probably the single most important factor in what it's worth. A coin that's been rattling around in pockets and tills for decades will show a lot of wear, with the fine details on the monarch's head and the design on the back worn smooth.
On the flip side, a coin that was tucked away and never spent will still have its original shine and sharp details. That makes it far more appealing to collectors.
A coin in perfect "Uncirculated" condition can be worth hundreds of times more than the exact same coin in "Poor" or "Good" condition. Why? Because so few examples survive in pristine shape after years of being handled.
Our service is designed to take the guesswork out of grading. Just send us your collection of pre-decimal money, leftover foreign currency, or obsolete banknotes, and our experts will assess its bulk value for you. There’s absolutely no need to sort through anything yourself.
Coin Condition Grading Explained
The grade of a coin is a shorthand for its level of wear and tear, which directly influences its collectable value. Below is a quick guide to what some of the common grades mean and how they affect what a coin might be worth.
| Grade | Description of Wear | Impact on Value |
|---|---|---|
| Uncirculated (UNC) | No signs of wear at all. The coin looks as it did when it left the mint, with original lustre. | Highest Value. These are the most sought-after by collectors. |
| Extremely Fine (EF) | Very light wear, only visible on the highest points of the design. Most details are sharp. | High Value. A desirable condition that commands strong prices. |
| Very Fine (VF) | Minor wear on the details, but the overall design is still clear and distinct. | Good Value. A solid, collectible grade for most coins. |
| Fine (F) | Moderate wear all over. Major design elements are clear, but finer details are worn away. | Moderate Value. Often the entry-level grade for serious collectors. |
| Good (G) | Heavy wear. The design is visible but lacks detail. Rims may be worn down. | Low Value. Usually only valuable if the coin is extremely rare. |
| Poor (P) | Extremely heavy wear. The date and design are barely legible. | Minimal Value. Typically only worth its metal content, if any. |
Understanding this scale shows just how much condition matters. A small difference in wear can mean a huge difference in price, which is why professional assessment is so useful.
Rarity and Mintage Figures
How rare a coin is comes down to how many were made in the first place—a figure known as the mintage. Coins from years with low mintage figures are naturally harder to find and, as a result, more valuable. For instance, the 1933 King George V penny is one of Britain's most famous rarities because only a tiny handful were ever produced.
Other things can make a coin rare, too:
- Low Mintage Years: Some years saw very few coins produced, often due to economic downturns or historical events like wars.
- Error Coins: Mistakes happen, even at the Royal Mint! Coins struck with errors, like a misaligned design or wrong lettering, are often highly prized.
- Short Reigns: Coins from monarchs who weren't on the throne for long, such as Edward VIII, are rare simply because very few were ever issued.
Metal Content and Demand
Finally, the metal a coin is made from can play a big part in its value. Before 1947, many of Britain's "silver" coins—like the sixpence, shilling, florin, and half-crown—were actually made from 50% silver.
Go back even further, to before 1920, and those same coins were struck from 92.5% sterling silver. This means they have a built-in value based on the current price of silver, no matter their condition. To see how this works in practice, you can learn more about the value of shilling coins in our detailed guide.
Ultimately, it’s collector demand that decides which coins are the most wanted. While our service doesn't appraise individual coins for their numismatic value, we do make it incredibly easy to exchange foreign coins and notes right alongside your pre-decimal collection. Our process is 100% guaranteed, giving you a simple way to turn it all into cash.
How To Exchange Your Old Coins And Foreign Currency
Now that you've delved into the world of pre-decimal coin values, you might be looking at that old biscuit tin of shillings, leftover holiday cash, or even obsolete banknotes and wondering what to do next. The good news is, turning it all into cash couldn't be simpler. We've designed our process to be fast, easy, and completely hassle-free from start to finish.
The biggest benefit is the sheer simplicity. There’s absolutely no need for you to spend hours sorting through your collection. Whether you have a jumble of pre-decimal coins, a mix of leftover foreign currency from different trips, or old decimal coins, you can pop them all in one parcel and send them over. We take care of all the sorting and valuing for you.
We’ve built our reputation on years of reliable service, and we’re proud to be the trusted partner for many of the UK’s most recognised organisations. From major charities and supermarkets to airports and even police forces, they all rely on us for our secure and efficient process.
Your Simple Exchange Process
We've made our exchange system as straightforward as possible. It only takes a few steps to convert foreign coins and banknotes into spendable money, and our 100% guarantee ensures you're completely satisfied with the result.
Here’s how it works:
- Gather Your Currency: Collect all your unwanted currency—any old UK money, foreign coins, and banknotes. Don’t worry about sorting them or what condition they're in.
- Send It To Us: Package everything up securely and post it to our processing centre. Our whole system is geared for a quick turnaround.
- Receive Your Payment: Once we receive and process your currency, we'll send you your payment. It's a 100% guaranteed service.
Our mission is to provide the easiest way for you to exchange any currency you have. We accept everything from common sixpences to obscure banknotes, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
If you’re looking to make a difference, you also have the option to donate foreign coins to charity through our service. It’s a fantastic way to turn small amounts of change into a meaningful contribution. Our service makes it simple to exchange foreign coins and notes, ensuring you get value from currency that is otherwise just gathering dust.
For more details, check out our guide on the easy way to exchange old British coins and notes.
Your Pre-Decimal Coin Questions Answered
We get a lot of questions about old pre-decimal coins, so we've put together answers to some of the most common ones. Hopefully, this clears things up and shows you just how simple our exchange process is.
Are All My Old Pre-Decimal Coins Actually Worth Something?
It's a great question, and the honest answer is no, not all of them are valuable to a collector. While you might hear stories about a super-rare coin selling for a fortune, the reality is that most pre-decimal coins were minted by the million and are very common today. A coin's real value boils down to its rarity, condition, and what metal it’s made from.
For instance, a 1933 penny is the stuff of legend, incredibly rare and valuable. On the other hand, a 1967 penny is one of the most common coins you'll find. Our service saves you the headache of trying to spot that one rare needle in the haystack. We give you a fair value for the whole lot, making the process quick, easy, and worthwhile.
Should I Clean My Coins Before I Send Them In?
In a word: no! Please, never clean your coins. It might seem like a good idea to polish them up, but using any kind of abrasive or chemical cleaner can permanently scratch and damage the coin's delicate surface. This can completely wipe out any numismatic value it might have had.
We accept coins just as they are, no matter their condition. Don't worry about dirt, tarnish, or grime—just send them to us as you found them. We've designed our service to be as hands-off for you as possible.
Can I Send Other Old Money Along With My Pre-Decimal Coins?
Absolutely! Our service is set up to help you exchange a wide variety of currency. So, if you've got leftover foreign coins and banknotes from past holidays, old decimal coins that are out of circulation, or currency from countries that now use the Euro, you can send them all to us.
There’s no need to sort anything out. Just bundle everything together in one shipment. It's all part of our commitment to making it simple to convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash. It’s also a fantastic way to donate foreign coins to charity.
How Can I Be Sure Your Service Is Trustworthy?
We completely understand that you need to trust who you're sending your currency to. We've built our reputation on being reliable and transparent, which is why we're the trusted currency exchange partner for some of the UK's biggest names, including national charities, major supermarkets, airports, and even police forces.
Our process is straightforward, 100% guaranteed, and built to be a fast and secure way for you to get cash for your unwanted currency. We’ve become a trusted name by making the exchange of foreign coins and notes as simple and credible as it gets.
Ready to turn that old coin clutter into cash? At We Buy All Currency, our fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed service means you don't have to sort a thing. Just send us your pre-decimal coins, leftover holiday money, and any other obsolete currency, and we'll take it from there. Visit our homepage to get started today!