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How much would a shilling or a pound cost in today's US money?

Question #110252. Asked by StarWarsSpaz.
Last updated Jul 05 2017.

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star_gazer star
Answer has 49 votes
star_gazer star
22 year member
5236 replies avatar

Answer has 49 votes.
The British pound in no way can be considered equal to the US dollar; they are two different currencies with two different values. So a shilling (no longer used) or a pound's cost in American money is all dependent on the exchange rate which is in constant flux.

link http://www.miketodd.net/encyc/dollhist.htm

Oct 27 2009, 7:05 PM
davejacobs
Answer has 9 votes
davejacobs
22 year member
956 replies

Answer has 9 votes.
If this question is about how much you can get for antique coinage:

You should ask your local (US) numismatist about the price he would charge for a shilling coin, or a pound note or coin. The dates are of vital importance of course.

Oct 28 2009, 2:02 AM
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Baloo55th star
Answer has 11 votes
Baloo55th star
21 year member
4545 replies avatar

Answer has 11 votes.
A shilling was 12 pence, but the shilling coin became 5 new pence or p. Pence refers to amounts, pennies to actual coins. A UK 'dollar' was 5 shillings 5/- (a crown if it was one coin), and half a dollar was half a crown 2/6. I think we do it on purpose...

As well as dates being important, condition is too.

Oct 28 2009, 3:41 PM
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Terry star
Answer has 53 votes
Currently Best Answer
Terry star
Moderator
24 year member
333 replies avatar

Answer has 53 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
Two different answers depending on the intent of your question.

1. If you are asking what a shilling represents fractionally:

A shilling was originally 5% of a pound. As an analogy I suppose you could say that therefore it would be analogous to a nickle (5 cents).

2. If you are asking "how much can I sell a shilling for today?"

As pointed out above, the answer is clearly "it depends".

The value of a shilling is worth whatever market price someone who deals with antique coins is willing to give you.

Aug 28 2015, 1:06 PM
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