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IMAGE: A new coin from the Royal Mint marks 50 years since Britain went decimal. view more
Credit: The Royal Mint
The move from the ancient system of £sd coinage to 100p to £1 was controversial, considered by some to be a sign of the UK s receding importance on the world stage and even as the beginning of the tumultuous relationship with Europe that ultimately led to Brexit.
But as a result of extensive analysis of a quiet backwater of recent history, Andy argues that the move towards decimalisation had little to do with Europe and in fact was a traditional British compromise.