Pre-Decimal Coins for Sale
Pre decimal coins are British coins from before decimalisation in 1971, when money was counted in pounds, shillings and pence rather than the pounds and pence we use today. This page covers our pre decimal coin collections by denomination, from crowns and florins to pennies and farthings. Each section takes you to a dedicated collection where you can learn a little more about the denomination and view the coins currently in stock, with clear photos and straightforward listings.
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Crown Coins for sale
Shop Crown CoinsBritish crown coins, a classic five shilling denomination with iconic portraits and commemorative designs.
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Double Florin Coins for sale
Shop Double Florin CoinsVictorian double florins, a short lived four shilling denomination with a distinctive place in pre decimal coinage.
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Halfcrown Coins for sale
Shop Halfcrown coinsBritish half crowns, a classic two shilling and sixpence denomination with a long history in pre decimal coinage.
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Florin Coins for sale
Shop Florin CoinsBritish florins, a two shilling denomination introduced in the 1800s and later linked to decimal coinage, with varied designs across reigns.
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Shilling Coins for sale
Shop Shilling CoinsBritish shillings, a one shilling denomination used for everyday spending, with varied designs across reigns.
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Sixpence Coins for sale
Shop Sixpence CoinsBritish sixpences, a sixpenny denomination known for classic designs and plenty of variety by year and monarch.
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Threepence Coins for sale
Shop Threepence CoinsBritish threepences, a threepenny denomination with plenty of variety, from early silver issues to the later twelve sided coin.
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Twopence & Three Halfpence Coins for Sale
Shop Twopence & Three Halfpence CoinsTwopence and half threepence coins, pre decimal denominations worth 2d and 1½d, with plenty of variation across reigns.
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Penny Coins for sale
Shop Penny CoinsBritish penny coins, a one penny pre decimal denomination, from classic large copper pennies to later issues across different reigns.
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Halfpenny Coins for sale
Shop Halfpenny CoinsBritish halfpennies, a half penny pre decimal denomination with lots of variety by year and monarch, from early copper issues to later designs.
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Farthing Coins for sale
Shop Farthing CoinsBritish farthings, a quarter penny denomination with a long run in pre decimal coinage and plenty of design variety across reigns.
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Fractional Farthings for Sale
Shop Fractional FarthingsFractional farthings are tiny pre decimal denominations below a farthing, collected for their scarcity and short mintages.
Pre decimal coins explained
Before decimalisation in 1971, the UK used pounds, shillings and pence. You’ll still see this system referenced in older coin collecting, and in the way some denominations are described.
The key numbers are simple. There were 12 old pence (d) in a shilling (s), and 20 shillings in a pound (£). That’s why you’ll see denominations like pennies, halfpennies and farthings, plus sixpences, shillings, florins and half crowns. Larger pieces such as crowns and double florins were also issued, including commemorative designs.
Collectability can vary a lot within the same denomination. Date, rarity, metal and how much detail remains on the design all play a part. The collections above let you explore each denomination and see the coins currently available.
FAQs
What are pre decimal coins?
Pre decimal coins are British coins from before decimalisation in 1971, when money was counted in pounds, shillings and pence rather than the pounds and pence we use today.
What do 's' and 'd' mean on old coins and prices?
They are abbreviations from the pre decimal system. 's' means shillings and 'd' means old pence.
How many old pence were in a shilling?
There were 12 old pence (12d) in one shilling (1s).
How many shillings were in a pound?
There were 20 shillings (20s) in one pound (£1), which is 240 old pence.
Are pre decimal coins silver?
Some are, and some are not. Many denominations were issued in silver in earlier periods, while later issues may be in other metals. Check the individual listing for the coin’s details.
What are the main pre decimal denominations?
Common denominations include farthing (¼d), halfpenny (½d), penny (1d), threepence (3d), sixpence (6d), shilling (1s), florin (2s), half crown (2s 6d) and crown (5s). Not every denomination was issued in every period.
What affects the value of a pre decimal coins?
Value depends on the date, rarity, metal and how much detail remains on the design. Demand also varies by denomination and reign.
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