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- In preparation for the change-over the new Royal Mint in South Wales struck over 2,000 million decimal coins.
- Banks were closed from 3.30pm on Wednesday, 10 February 1971 until 10.00am on 15 February, enabling them to stock up with the new coins.
- February was chosen for D-Day because it was the most convenient for banks, shops and transport organisations, being the slackest time of the year.
- Britain's first decimal transactions probably took place on a cross-channel ferry which left Dunkirk for Dover just after midnight on Saturday 13 February.
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- After D-Day cheques written in �sd were invalid.
- The new 50p coin was the world's first seven-sided coin.
- When first issued the decimal coins bore the word 'new'.
- One man wrote to a newspaper suggesting that a suitable nickname for the 10p would be a 'pod' because it had 10ps (peas!) in it.
- To familiarise the public with the new coins souvenir sets went on sale from 1968.
- A pop song called 'Decimalisation' was brought out - but didn't make the Top 20!
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| Crown Copyright Royal Mint |
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