Pre-decimal

[poliphilo]

At the back of the Penguin Kipps there's a note explaining the pre-decimal British currency- sixpences, florins, guineas.  My first thought was, "surely everybody knows about that"- and then I did some calculations and realised you'd have to be pushing 50 to have ever worked with the old money. It's things like this that make me realise how venerable I am.

Comments

[ibid.livejournal.com]

I remember florins and shilling being used until they resized the 10 and 5 pence coins. It was probably better for everyones math skills too

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The duodecimal system is mad. The only way it would make sense would be if we had 12 fingers.