Ancient history

What was the currency in Victorian?

In the Victorian era, which spanned from 1837 to 1901, the primary currency used in Britain was the British pound sterling (£). The pound was divided into 20 shillings (s) and each shilling was further divided into 12 pence (d).

Here's a breakdown of the Victorian currency:

1. Pound sterling (£): The pound sterling was the main unit of currency and was often abbreviated as "£" or "L". It was a silver coin initially but later became a gold coin.

2.Sovereign: The sovereign was a gold coin worth one pound sterling. It was introduced in 1817 and became the primary gold coin in circulation during the Victorian era.

3. Half-sovereign: The half-sovereign was a gold coin worth half a pound sterling (10 shillings). It was also widely used during this period.

4. Shilling (s): The shilling was a silver coin worth one-twentieth of a pound sterling or 12 pence.

5. Sixpence (6d): The sixpence was a silver coin worth sixpence (6d) or half a shilling.

6. Florin (2s): The florin was a silver coin worth two shillings (2s) and was introduced in 1849.

7. Crown (5s): The crown was a silver coin worth five shillings (5s) and was larger in size compared to other coins.

8. Penny (d): The penny was a copper coin worth one-twelfth of a shilling or 1/240th of a pound sterling.

9.Halfpenny (1/2d): The halfpenny was a copper coin worth half a penny (1/2d).

10.Farthing (1/4d): The farthing was a copper coin worth a quarter of a penny (1/4d) and was the smallest denomination in circulation during the Victorian era.

It's worth noting that the Victorian era also saw the introduction of paper money, known as banknotes. Bank of England notes were issued in various denominations, including £5, £10, £20, £50, and £100.