What it would buy in today's money
Because prices have risen so much, a shilling bought far more in the past than its decimal value suggests:
| Year | A shilling in 2025 prices |
|---|---|
| 1850 | £9.46 |
| 1900 | £8.63 |
| 1938 | £4.73 |
| 1950 | £2.41 |
| 1960 | £1.62 |
| 1970 | £1.09 |
About the shilling
The shilling was worth 12 pence, and there were 20 to the pound. Its nickname was “bob”: something costing “ten bob” cost 10 shillings. After 1971 shillings simply carried on as 5p coins until the 5p was made smaller in 1990.
When it went: Used as 5p until 1990.
Quick facts
| Value | 1s (12d) |
| Decimal equivalent | 5p |
| Nickname | bob |
| Per pound | 20 |
Today's values use the ONS composite price index (Open Government Licence v3.0).
Common questions
How much was a shilling worth in decimal money?
A shilling was worth 1s (12d), which is 5p in decimal money.
How many shillings were in a pound?
There were 20 shillings in a pound.
What would a shilling from 1950 be worth today?
About £2.41 in 2025 prices, based on ONS price data.
Other old coins
Farthing · Halfpenny · Penny · Threepenny bit · Sixpence · Florin · Half crown · Crown · Ten-shilling note · Sovereign · Guinea