23 April 1968 Decimal coins first appear in UK

The first decimal coins appeared throughout Britain, in preparation for replacing the current system of pounds, shillings and pence by 1971. The five new pence and ten new pence coins operated alongside the shilling and the florin, and had the same value. They were also the same size and weight.

They caused initial confusion to shoppers, many of whom refused to take them. There was further misunderstanding over the value of a penny. Many thought the five new penny coin was worth five old pence – when it is in fact worth a shilling, or 12 old pence.