Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ian, post: 88261, member: 283&quot;]Aidan,</p><p><br /></p><p>You say `curse&#039;, most numismatists in the UK say`ruin&#039;. Regardless of the term, the sentiment expressed remains much the same. That is, that barmaids were said to mistake these 4/- pieces for the 5/- piece. Whether the mistake was made through working in dim lit surroundings or whether they themselves were just too dim to check is a matter for conjecture. The `ruination&#039; factor would presumably be when they were expected to make up any shortfall in the takings for their mistake. </p><p><br /></p><p>However, whether this event actually happened frequently ( or at all) is actually lost to us. Perhaps it was just a scenario generated by people who were against the introduction of decimal currency (1/5th of a pound). Perhaps you can provide reference one way or the other?</p><p><br /></p><p>What isn&#039;t lost to us is that there were very strong sentiments that a coin with a value of 1/5th of a pound would never catch on. Strong enogh to scupper the double florin.</p><p><br /></p><p>We know that the sentiment was mistaken given that one of the most successful coins in the UK has been the 20p...1/5th of a pound.</p><p><br /></p><p>Hope that clarifies sufficiently for you.</p><p><br /></p><p>Ian[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in