What it would buy in today's money
Because prices have risen so much, a crown bought far more in the past than its decimal value suggests:
| Year | A crown in 2025 prices |
|---|---|
| 1850 | £47.28 |
| 1900 | £43.17 |
| 1938 | £23.64 |
| 1950 | £12.03 |
| 1960 | £8.09 |
| 1970 | £5.43 |
About the crown
A crown was worth five shillings, a quarter of a pound. In the 20th century it was mostly issued for special occasions, such as the 1953 coronation and the 1965 Churchill crown, rather than for everyday spending.
When it went: Mainly a commemorative coin in the 20th century.
Quick facts
| Value | 5s (60d) |
| Decimal equivalent | 25p |
| Nickname | dollar |
| Per pound | 4 |
Today's values use the ONS composite price index (Open Government Licence v3.0).
Common questions
How much was a crown worth in decimal money?
A crown was worth 5s (60d), which is 25p in decimal money.
How many crowns were in a pound?
There were 4 crowns in a pound.
What would a crown from 1950 be worth today?
About £12.03 in 2025 prices, based on ONS price data.
Other old coins
Farthing · Halfpenny · Penny · Threepenny bit · Sixpence · Shilling · Florin · Half crown · Ten-shilling note · Sovereign · Guinea