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My favorite Brit unit of currency (there was no note, but men's clothing and I believe real estate prices were often measured in it) was the guinea. In 1955 it was almost exactly $3 USD.
The ha'penny was still a common coin at that time, but the farthing (1/4 penny) had been withdrawn from circulation. Someone once showed me a farthing, the only one I ever saw. The same was true of a five-pound note, which was a handkerchief-sized note that as I recall was white): I only ever saw the one.
I rather liked British currency, though the coins did wear out my pockets and I had to have them replaced. The replacement pockets felt more like canvas than cloth.
When I left England in June to hitchhike through the Continent, there were strict export restrictions. I believe the limit was £10 though it may have been £20. Even at my then standard of living, that wouldn't have last, so I got 80 one-pound notes, put them in a little sack, and tied the sack at the bottom of my sleeping bag. The dollar value was $240. That lasted me three months before I had to beat it back to London again, where I had left a suitcase and some traveler's checks in Left Luggage.
It was a great time to be an American in Europe.
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