The march of progress
During the nineteenth century many national currencies were successfully reorganised on the decimal system and as a result decimal coinage had been adopted throughout Europe, Russia, and the Americas.
The decimal system of the United Kingdom, however is still relatively new. It was not until the 1960's that the decision was made to decimalise the currency. The Government announced its decsion in 1966 and the British public bade farewell to the romantic ?sd coinage. The official changeover took place on 15 February 1971.
Some milestones in the evolution of the United Kingdom's decimal coinage system
1849 The issue of the first British 'decimal' coin, a two-shilling piece which bore the words 'one tenth of a pound'.
1961 A Halsbury Committee of Inquiry was appointed to discuss possible methods of implementing decimalisation.
1963 The Report of the Committee of Inquiry was published.
1966 The Government announced its decision to decimalise the United Kingdom currency.
1968 Prior to decimalisation, 5p and 10p coins were issued to circulate alongside the shilling and two-shilling pieces.
1968 First decimal coins struck at the new Royal Mint by Her Majesty the Queen.
1969 Issue of 50p coin, the world's first coin to be struck in the shape of an equilateral curve heptagon.
1971 Decimal coinage became the official currency of the United Kingdom on 15 February with the issue of the 1/2p, 1p and 2p pieces.
1973 New 50p reverse design by David Wynne to commemorate Britain's entry into the European Economic Community (EEC).
1982 The word 'New' removed from decimal coins. The seven-sided 20p coin issued.
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1983 The new �1 coin issued on 23 April 1983, its reverse designed by former Royal Mint Chief Engraver, Eric Sewell. Four different portraits issued during Queen Elizabeth II's reign, see 'Royal Portrait'.
1984 1/2p coin withdrawn from circulation.
1985 Arnold Machin's portrait of the Queen, approved for the new decimal currency, was replaced with a new effigy by Raphael Maklouf.
1986 The first nickel-brass �2 coin issued to commemorate the Commonwealth Games, the first British coin to mark a sporting event.
1990 The smaller 5p was issued on 27 June.
1992 Copper-plated steel replaced bronze as the alloy for the 2p and 1p, except in 1998 when the 2p coin was made in both bronze and copper-plated steel.
1992 The smaller 10p coin was issued on 30 September.
1997 A smaller 50p coin was issued on 1 September.
1998 The United Kingdoms first bi-colour �2 circulation coin was officially introduced on 15 June.
1998 A new portrait of Her Majesty by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS on all circulating coins of the United Kingdom
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