British Coins from 1800 to the Present Quiz

Answer: Florin

The florin was equal to two shillings, or one tenth of a pound, its name was originally that of an old Florentine coin. Alternative names considered for the new coin were 'decade', 'centum' and 'dime'.

Answer: Groat

The groat had been issued at various times since around the 12th century, but it was easily confused with the silver threepence, so it was last issued in 1855, other than the 1888 issue which was only for use in certain British colonies. The name groat derived from 'grosso' meaning large, as the original groats were the largest silver coins in circulation at the time.

Answer: She is standing

Britannia, the personification of Britain, first appeared on copper Roman coins. She is almost always depicted helmeted and seated holding a shield and trident.

Answer: Birmingham

Pennies were struck at Heaton and King's Norton mints in Birmingham in 1912, 1918 and 1919. They can be distinguished by the small letters 'H' or 'KN' next to the date.

Answer: 1946

Prior to 1920, silver coins were made of Sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure. In 1920 the content dropped to 50% and from 1947 onwards the coins were made from cupro-nickel, other than Maundy coins and special issues.

Answer: Wren

Popularly supposed to be a robin, the bird was in fact a wren, chosen as it was the smallest British bird for the smallest denomination British coin. The last farthings, which were worth a quarter of a penny, were struck in 1956.

Answer: Decus et Tutamen

"Decus et Tutanem", meaning an ornament and a safeguard, originally appeared around the edges of larger silver coins. It was a means of showing that the coin was intact and that no-one had devalued it by clipping some of the silver from the edge. The inscription therefore has no practical value on the £1 coins, which are made of base metal, and is purely ornamental.

Answer: Ten pence

A set of maundy coins consists of four silver coins: one penny, two pence, three pence and four pence. On Maundy Thursday the monarch presents coins to the value of his or her age to an equal number of male and female pensioners. Thus when the Queen was 85 she presented 85 men and 85 women each with 85 pence. Needless to say the coins are worth somewhat more then 10 pence a set!

Answer: Richard Trevithick

The reverse of the 2004 £2 coin shows Richard Trevithick's railway locomotive Locomotion Number 1. The design was very popular, and the coin is rarely seen in circulation, indicating that large numbers were kept by collectors.

Answer: Five pounds

Although not found in everyday circulation, the £5 coins issued as commemorative pieces from time to time are still legal tender. They are the same size and weight as the old crowns, or five shilling pieces.