Learn about British money, new and old! £££

Are you planning to visit the UK, or to live here? If so, you will need to know about British money. Maybe you watch shows like Downton Abbey or Sherlock and want to understand what they're saying when they talk about money. In this lesson, I'll show you modern British currency. I'll also show you our older money that was used before 1971, explain a little bit about the history of currency in the UK, and give you some related vocabulary. You'll learn words like pound, shilling, guinea, and florin. You'll also learn some slang for coins and notes, so you can understand and communicate naturally with locals. Test your understanding by taking the quiz: www.engvid.com/learn-about-bri...
If you liked this video, watch my video on about British measurements next:
• British measurements: ...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi. I'm Gill at engVid, and today's lesson we're looking at British money, the UK currency. Okay? And we're going to be looking at the present day currency, the notes and coins; and then in the second part of the lesson, we'll be looking at the older currency, which we had sometime in the past which is a bit different. Okay.
So, just looking briefly at the present day. I'll be showing you in a minute some actual notes and coins. So, these are the main numbers of notes and coins, the pounds, and the pennies. Okay? And just to explain: The "penny" is the singular, and there are two plural versions: "pennies" and "pence". So, you can talk about 20 pence, 50 pence, or 50 pennies. Most people say "pence" when they're giving the figure. 10 pence, five... Five pence, two pence, and then obviously one penny or one p. Sometimes people just say: "P", just the letter "p". 50p, 20p. So, we use that as well. Okay, so let's have a look at some of the actual notes and coins.
Okay, so here are some examples of the notes and the coins. And starting at the top... We don't have a 50-pound note, unfortunately, but here is a 20-pound note in a nice mauve colour. They all have the Queen's head on one side, Queen Elizabeth II. On the other side, there's a portrait of a famous person who's made some big contribution to the national life. So, we've got here Adam Smith, the economist, going back to the 18th century. Okay, so that's a 20-pound note.
Next one, the 10-pound note. Again, the Queen's head. Now, there's a slang term for the 10-pound note, which is a "tenner", t, e, double-n, e,r, "tenner", okay. So, turning this one over, we have Charles Darwin, the scientist. Okay. 19th century.
And then moving on to the 5-pound note, and the slang term for this is a "fiver", f-i-v-e-r, "fiver". And there's the Queen again, and on the back we have a woman this time. A token woman, Elizabeth Fry, who was a prison reformer in the early 19th century. Okay, so that's a fiver. Okay.
And then... Oh, moving down to here, this is... There is a 2-pound coin that's bigger than this one but the same colour, 2-pound coin. This is a 1-pound coin, and the slang term for that is a "quid", q-u-i-d. Okay. Then half of a pound is the 50, 50-pence piece. And this has this distinctive edge; little, flat edges to it. Okay. And on the back, this is the back of the coin, Britannia, the sort of female figure who represents Britain, Britannia. Okay. And so that's 50p.
Moving on to the 20p piece. Okay, the Queen's head on the front and another design on the back. That also has little, flat edges. Right. We don't have a 10p, but that's slightly bigger than these 5ps, and has a circular edge. So these are 5ps, a 2-pence piece or a 2p, and finally, 1p, one pence or one penny. They used to be a half... Half penny, but they... They were taken out of the currency a few years ago because they were so worthless, really. Okay, so that's the current currency, and let's just go back now and have a look at a few more slang terms for money.
Okay, so we've just looked at the slang terms for the notes: "tenner", "fiver", and "quid". And then there are a few other terms: "ready money" or "readies", that's, you know, cash. "Cash" is another useful term. It's not a slang term, but people say they would like to be paid in cash, or: "Do you have the cash?" So this is the "ready money", "readies", rather than paying by credit card, or debit card, or cheque. Okay. "Folding stuff", that's the paper notes. It folds up, so it's called the folding stuff.
There are two terms to do with food: "bread" and "dough". The dough is what you put in the oven, and the bread is what you take out. "Bread" and "dough", that's also a word for money. "Dosh", "loot", "lolly", they're all sort of quite comical, humorous terms for... For money as well. Okay, so now we'll move on to look at the older currency.

[@engvidGill]

Hi everyone -- thank you for your comments. For those asking about private lessons with any engVid tutor, the best thing to do is contact engVid direct, and they will forward your enquiry to the tutor. All the best with your studies :-)

[@kamil8197]

You are awesome person! Greetings from Poland! You have amazing accent!!

[@lifeofhappinessax7198]

thanks ...that video was so helpful

[@lidlshopper8363]

Learn English with Gill (engVid) - I love your channel! You're such a great presenter and you present clearly! Thanks for making amazing videos! :)

[@umarbossyo5144]

Learn English with Gill (engVid)

[@reecebeesley2555]

Learn English with Gill (engVid) so now I know what my Great grandmother is thinking when she says 'shilling':D

[@ismailalfadl]

we need more of these British historical lessons please

[@lordeccles200]

Agree :D

[@mongolianbornaparte7217]

ismail al-fadel sure you are the future of Europe. You'll need these after you've established your caliphate and enforced Sharia law.

[@jarikinnunen1718]

Winners write history, whether they are good, bad or ugly.

[@everythingerina9379]

@@mongolianbornaparte7217 what a comment clearly have nothing better to do

[@jonson1803]

every time I listen to you I find that you are the best pronunciation among all

[@yahirmm9075]

Hello Mrs Gill. I'm from Mexico City, and I just want to thank you for all your incredible lessons, they are clear and direct. We as young people all around the world can learn much from you. Thanks again.

[@jos-al13]

it was interesting, this was wonderful because this is something that you can't find in English books thank you you have a lovely voice!

[@lordeccles200]

Very interesting. Please do more lessons about history. P.S. You have a wonderful voice. My english is not very good but I understand everything you say.

[@scarlettstarlet1892]

Same

[@acavell6184]

Your written english is near perfect

[@marineforlife8325]

I'm from the U.S and it's very interesting to me how different and similar our currency is with the U.K

[@ngocthuytientran6214]

Thank you very much. A wonderful lesson!

[@SalvatoreEscoti]

The currency sign for the pound is £, which is usually written with a single cross-bar (as on sterling bank notes), though a version with a double cross-bar (₤) is also sometimes seen. This symbol derives from medieval Latin documents; the Roman words libra, solidus, and denarius (£sd) referred to pounds, shillings and pence[21] in the British pre-decimal (duodecimal) currency system and the black-letter "L" was the abbreviation for libra, the basic Roman unit of weight. And the Italian Lira had exactly the same history and the same Symbol!

[@Treebard]

Interesting!

[@LM_Author]

Hello. From Louisiana and enjoyed your video. Thank you.

[@LambentLark]

Thank you, dear woman. This is the 3rd video I have watched to try and find out what a quid, shilling, etc. represented. I have been reading a lot of Sherlock Holmes stories lately and wondering what the definition for the old terms of english money were. It was distracting me from the story. Not as much as finding out that Watson got "knocked up" one fine morning. My inner child nearly fell out of the chair laughing. I thought, theres something that doesn't happen anymore! Your video was exactly what I was looking for. Also I appreciated that, unlike one of the other two I watched, you gave your viewer credit for having some basic knowledge, a fiver = £5.etc. Now, back to The Valley of Fear.

[@daliyamadyarova8481]

Very interesting lesson! Thank you a lot !^^

[@k.laverdiere715]

Very informative and thorough. This helps me to better understand British novels and other stories that use something similar to British currency

[@ex2tt7yaa2vy9dyhvw5u]

Thank you so much for dedicating time to this historical/cultural topic

[@user-ue7vi5hx9n]

I've been waiting for your lovely lesson Gill

[@arturotorres9998]

thanks Gill. Could you make a lesson about Men in Britain history, like Normans, Saxons, Celts, etc.?

[@aissamelidrissi8184]

1 More British culture please

[@JohnStark72]

Had a tough time in 1973 England trying to figure out shillings, bobs, and quid. I gave up and threw my money onto the counter, asking sellers to be merciful. Glad you provided this explanation. Still isn't easy with the old currency, but I might get it with enough repetition. Those old terms should stay with you people in the UK. It's part of your heritage and national identity.

[@engvidGill]

Hi - the old currency is less familiar to people in the UK who were born after the decimalisation year of 1971, unless they've really taken an interest in it and studied it :-)

[@JohnStark72]

@@engvidGill Sounds like a great teaching challenge for mature UK citizens. As I said, the old system is a tradition. It was around for hundreds of years. And it will minimalize the Euro.

[@hiraya3032]

I'm watching this for a novel I'm about to write and this is quite helpful, I've subscribed to you because of that, thank you very much for your clear explanation 💕

[@santiagomarcosfull]

thanks Gill! great lesson!

[@sergeyyarmak7797]

Thank you, Gill! Waiting for new lessons

[@nadezhdab._alisasurname8732]

Splendid explanation! Thank you!

[@MuhammadEgypt]

Old currency is kind of confusing.

[@tdonovan4735]

Considering that they had Pounds, shillings and pence in South Africa, Rhodesia, Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Guyana - your comment is totally stupid - like you. Idiot !!!

[@MrSlamPigging]

@@tdonovan4735 Douchebag!

[@LeeRaldar]

The upside of this was that before electronic tills and decimalisation everybody was stunningly good at maths even old ladies on pension day could run rings around a contemporary university entrant.

[@user-qr3fd1gb8o]

Well, you have to deal with it if you're into British Empire

[@grip2617]

Your comment too.

[@leechapa7279]

Thank You. I learned something today . I sometimes still hear," bread, dough and loot, here in the USA. But "loot" meaning, a lot of cash. When I was a kid a lady neighbor of mine ,paid me a "schilling" to run an errand for her. I still have it somewhere. I didn't know it was 12 pence.

[@user-io3iw2bn4x]

Thank you Jill for your way of teaching- clear and exact!

[@gregshumway7610]

Smashingly done, madame. Top notch.

[@lngvly22]

Thank you Gill! Very good lesson.

[@irishtomato0413]

This was very helpful. In books I had seen the word "florin" many times, but never knew how much it was worth. Your explanation was easy to understand. Thank you!

[@Linn8379]

Thank you so much for clearing it all up

[@melissabenito1376]

This is a lovely video!! I really enjoyed watching it, Gill. I learnt a lot :)

[@tomrox8921]

Thanks Gill.

[@runforit420]

What a fantastic video - well explained!

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Another success! You answered all my questions. Many thanks.

[@ekaterinazhiltsova]

Very very interesting! Thanks!

[@guilhermerossi807]

Great explanation, well done! Thank you😄😄😄

[@scarlettstarlet1892]

Very good lesson! Thank you, teacher!

[@librasjuan]

Thank you so much, you helped to increase my new vocabulary!

[@anderzonmanrique6200]

thanks for that info i was needing that

[@davimobile1407]

Great lesson..

[@bryan_dx]

You're really so good teaching! Thank you so much!

[@debashishmishra3821]

Interesting lesson and informative as well .. Thanks Gill ..

[@Michelleilovetmills]

we need more british culture please gill! it's so interesting

[@dennislevin9973]

Excellent! Thank You!

[@JM-hy4fd]

This is such a great video!

[@LabradorRetriever1]

Thank you for all your videos, it teaches us a lot and thank you for making them

[@elizabethgaragundo4771]

It's amazing!!!🎉

[@seetheworldthroughmyeyes5297]

It was really interesting. Thank you!

[@user-dy2sm3ws7o]

Very useful information. Thanks a lot

[@Barzins1]

Thanks for sharing.

[@regards7229]

I love you. Please do not stop

[@WilsonInBeijing]

Informative!

[@jaceyburton558]

The variety of sterling used in Guernsey & Jersey retains the £1 note.

[@emilymoran4121]

this is so helpful!! I will be heading to London this week :)

[@briandspohn5260]

Thanks!

[@marialuizaacerbi6579]

You're amazing...

[@KARENMARTINEZ-cc8om]

Thank you! very interesting..

[@viviana-7569]

Thank you so much, very interesting indeed!

[@jeanjooyi6314]

I love your lessons with very decent and useful expressions! ;-)

[@rleitros9378]

I just remember the farthing. It was still being used in bakers' shops in the early 50s where an individual cake might be priced at 1. 3/4 ( a penny three farthings ) The £1 note is still legal tender in Scotland but new ones have not been made since the early 80s. I think it's some 15 years since I saw one. They are very rare. Scottish banks still produce s £100:00 note but there is little call for them. Cards would normally be used for that amount in payment. When the Queen dies new notes with Charles' head will be produced but the previous notes and coins will still be legal tender. Unless the money system changes ( which is unlikely ) the old currency could be around for a long time. I remember pre decimalisation ( 1971 ) it was quite common for earlie coins to be in circulation for long periods. So you might get a George VI or George V coin in your change as well as Elizabeth II ones, or even a Victorian penny from the 1880s. These were usually very worn. Just a few thoughts.

[@leshy2921]

Very interesting video! Thank you! I always wanted to know about the British currency.

[@inquisitivenut2937]

I love your accent and your teaching 😙🌹.

[@eossefeossef4266]

Thnks

[@chorizo2115]

I found the explanation of old currency very useful

[@hollywertz3626]

That was great. Thank you very much

[@luoyong498]

thanks you teacher !

[@marcepando]

These historical facts are awsome!!! Could you do more of this, please?

[@deloliilol]

nice, thanks!

[@petitezam1184]

You are just amazing! Your videos are so interesting!

[@carolinasimm6700]

very good. thanks a lot. very helpful

[@gitishirasb7874]

Thank you so much

[@jeremivbenavi869]

Thank you very much.

[@dhirachakraborty9696]

This is so informative. Very helpful since I will be moving to the U.K. soon. Thank you.

[@luislozada4761]

Thanks teacher

[@heidile4778]

Thank you very much

[@StayPolishThinkEnglish]

I'd would be delighted if I could hear some British history. That would be great :)

[@gabrielpereiramendes3463]

Excelent!

[@ianport2185]

If you haven't done so yet I'd suggest a family relationships film using the Royal Family. I did this eay back in the 80s. It was fun and combined history with useful vocab. Some students got a bit confused at first "Princess Diana is the niece of Prince Philip who is married to the Queen Mother". We got there in the end!

[@NandiCollector]

Thank you very much for this extremely cool and informative lesson about pre decimal UK currency. Now I have a clear idea how much my UK collection is worth. ;)

[@wiwin3430]

thanks so much

[@hyunjinki1995]

2:05 and Adam Smith (an economist) is the very first Scottish person featured in English banknotes

[@johnwilson668]

Thank you for finally explaining the old currency for me! I like old movies and was always completely confused about the money system. Now at least I know why the little kid was so excited when Scrooge told him to come back with the butcher and he would give him half a crown! :)

[@marianne1885]

You have always complete explanations.It's so pleasant to live in London, isn't it?

[@marie-francebelle4178]

great!

[@sebastianogioi3595]

Thank you Teacher!! Your English is superlative: I am so envious... 🤕🤕 I'm honored to take part to your magistrale lesson Please Madame, could you dedicate another one to the history of English. Thanks again

[@zithulelenyembe9033]

thank you very much much appreciated

[@Frates1]

Plus there’s Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes and you can get Scottish £100 notes.

[@unionpacific732]

Cool!

[@leonhard2991]

Hi Gill, I'd love to receive lessons about british english business expressions thankee

[@dariowiter3078]

This bit of information is quite useful for Americans and foreigners to understand, should they travel to Britain for vacation or business. ☺️💵💷

[@smartcarridin4391]

Thanks

[@jacquesmunier1294]

There also existed a sovereign and a 1/2 sovereign, as far as I can remember. I had difficulties to cope with the British currency system the first time I came to the U.K more than 50 years ago. The imperial measurement system was also quite a challenge. I was young then and I'm looking back to those years with a certain nostalgia. But I must confess that it was all the more a challenge, as I have never been very good at mathematics.

[@Hussain_Eidani]

Thank you very much ma'am 🌸❤🌸❤🌸❤

[@shapriya1976]

you are awesome

[@manafshaibu5907]

thanks you

[@mattjones6336]

I like this

[@thaynelybbert3197]

Nice for getting a rough idea around it.

[@user-bt1co5md1r]

Your sense of humour is cute (the left up part of the screen of 9:35)

[@philosophyimportation6367]

Hello, Please make a video on philosophy and related vocabularies. could you please state my name, if you did so?

[@inquisitivenut2937]

same.

[@pattystomper1]

I'm interested in learning more about the pre- 1971 currency, such as the half crown, tuppence, shilling, etc. Certains movies, like Mary Poppins and My Fair Lady use those terms, and I was curious about their value. Nobody has posted any clear comparisons to U.S. money, so maybe you could describe what you could buy (at that time) with each coin? For example, a haircut in the U.S. in 1970 was Five Dollars. A loaf of bread was a quarter (25 cents). A man's sport coat cost 30 dollars. And an average car cost around 4000 dollars. Thanks in advance.

[@stephenhoughton632]

When both countries were on the gold standard, a pound was worth about $5.

[@kata6414]

and f.e. Old English scilling, a coin consisting of a varying number of pence (on the continent, a common scale was 12 pennies to a shilling, 20 shillings to a pound), from Proto-Germanic *skillingoz- (source also of Old Saxon, Danish, Swedish, Old Frisian, Old High German skilling, Old Norse skillingr, Dutch schelling, German Schilling, Gothic skilliggs).