Lot: 26 “New Pence” coins – Great Britain – 1/2, 1, 2, 5 & 10 1968-1981

Description

Offering an assortment of British coins minted during the decimalization years. When they switched from farthings (1/4 of a penny), pennies (12 to a shilling), shillings (20 to a pound), etc, to a decimal currency where 100 new pence equaled one pound, the government identified the new decimal coins as ‘New Pence’ during transition years 1968 to 1981. I obtained most of these during my first visit to England in the early-70’s, then a smaller number later on. I was a bit confused between the old and new coins, and tended to offer larger bills so as not to show my ignorance. So…I returned home with a heavy load of lower denomination coins from the change they’d give me. After 40+ years, I’m disposing of things like these that have been in storage. That helps explain why the coins are in such good condition. They’re still in use but the ‘New Pence’ versions, which ceased being minted in 1981, probably are encountered infrequently these days, and certainly not in this good condition. The lot consists of: