Thread: Seriousness Decimal Currency in Britain
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Old 02-07-2011, 09:23 AM   #34
Mike L
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wannabee View Post
Was it a coincidence that Australia and UK went decimal on 14 Feburary? Though 5 years apart.
I can't speak for Australia. But in the UK, the 15th February was chosen because:

(i) it was a Monday (a quiet trading day);

(ii) it was in the middle of the month (not too near pay days or other regular monthly payment dates); and

(iii) it was in February (a quiet trading month).

If memory serves, the 15th, not the 14th, was the official start of decimalisation in the UK. But, as an exception, London Transport (who ran the buses and tubes in London at the time) had a special arrangement to give decimal change the day before

Last edited by Mike L; 02-07-2011 at 12:27 PM. Reason: Corrected spelling of "quiet"
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