1971day.year
The decimalisation of the currencies of the United Kingdom and Ireland is completed on Decimal Day.
Decimal Day on February 15, 1971, saw the United Kingdom and Ireland convert their currencies to a decimal system of 100 new pence per pound.
On Decimal Day, February 15, 1971, the United Kingdom and Ireland transitioned from the old system of pounds, shillings, and pence to a simple decimal currency structure. The pound was now divided into 100 new pence, replacing the previous complex denominations. The change required extensive preparation, including public education campaigns, recalibrated cash registers, and redesigned coinage. Banks and businesses worked through the night to ensure a seamless switch at dawn. Shoppers and workers adapted quickly, and reports of major disruptions were minimal. The reform streamlined everyday transactions and aligned British and Irish monetary systems with international standards.
1971
decimalisation
United Kingdom
Ireland
Decimal Day