General Chat

Lyn and Alan - yes, you're both right :-))

Found this on the net tanner = sixpence (6d). The slang word 'tanner' meaning sixpence dates from the early 1800's and is derived most probably from Romany gypsy 'tawno' meaning small one, and Italian 'danaro' meaning small change. The 'tanner' slang was later reinforced (Ack L Bamford) via jocular reference to a biblical extract about St Peter lodging with Simon, a tanner (of hides). The biblical text (from Acts chapter 10 verse 6) is: 'He (Peter) lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side..', which was construed by jokers as banking transaction instead of a reference to overnight accommodation Regards Jackie

A Guinea was 1 pound 1 shilling and was a term used in mainly exclusive shops. If you bought a dress in a Cheap shop then it was in pounds the elite usued the term Guinea more than the working class. I can't use the pound sign I only have the $ (Dollar sign on my keyboard) I remember the white five pound note that was mentioned and also the farthing. In Australia when we had the threepenny bit it was called a zac. Metric came to Australia in 1966 the year before I came here but they were in the process of still changing over and if you bought something it had it in Dollars and Pounds. Our coins are 5cents, 10 cents, 20cents, 50cents, $1, $2, Notes are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 Think the term bob was introduced by the boy scouts (Bob a job) rhyming slang. Not sure about the tannner though Regards Jackie

Thanks for answering the question in a clear and uncomplicated way. Appreciate it :-) The reason I asked as that in one my stories a thief drops 6d worth of silver and 9d worth of copper. This is in 1909. I'll never ask another question again! :-)

and a threepenny bit was called a 'joey'

AND 5/- was called a dollar, and 2/6 half a dollar. Gloria

Don't think anyone's mentioned it yet. A sixpenny piece was called a 'tanner' and a shilling was called a 'bob'. Gawd knows why !!

Right, Daniel. Now you know how the old system operated, tell us what provoked your original question. Beth :)

Anyone remember the 'groat' - half a farthing? Channel Islands money was different too! Not pennies but 'doubles'! Did a Welsh penny not have a harp on it or was that Irish?

Having spent the previous 9 years typing balance sheets and financial summaries in £ s d, it was really hard to remember to use the decimal system. I'd never used the eraser and chalk so much before! (We're talking pre-Tippex days here! LOL) CB >|<

In 1971, when decimalisation finally came in, I was seconded to the tax department for a few months. My main job was to convert all the investment schedules from LSD to decimal: after a few days I could convert any figure without reference to charts!

Trish 25s 11d Lynne

How about a simple addition for you young ones out there? With the info that you've been given here - how much is 3s 6d + 4s 7d + 17s 10d?? Toffee for those with the right answer.

My Mother didn't teach me the old money but I do remember getting a sixpence from the tooth fairy. I can also remember the duel pricing on products. (Well Golden Wonder cheese and onion crisps with the 6d crossed out and 2 1/2 p written underneath)

Chris Think we must be although I reckon my parents were a bit tight with the old pocket money so shall be asking for extra next time I see them! lol Daisy

Wasn't it difficult, getting to grips with the new money? I'd just got married and got my own home to run, so I was into budgeting in a big way, and the new money didn't help at all. Typical of me to pick the most inconvenient time! CB >|<

the' throopeny bit' ie threepeny piece was called a Joey. And a Sixpence was called a tanner 7 shilling was called a Bob The old coinage was my era !!!. Shirley

Was just discussing this at the weekend with a friend who wanted a complete set of pre decimal coins. We found him one on Monday and had a very nostalgic Monday evening! I used to get 6d pocket money per week, so some of you did pretty well I reckon! As a special treat when I visited my grandparents we went to the cinema 3d bus fare there and back, 3d for the film and 3d for sweets - a whole shilling each! School dinners were paid for in class on Monday mornings and were 2/-6d for the whole week! Much more fun! Daisy

I've updated my message above. We're talking long, long ago, way before the EU and all that. 1849, in fact. Google 'florin'. Harold, you ARE too young: by about a century! Lol.

Sorry Brian You,re wrong,I,m not that young,Wish I were. Hal.