upasalmon
On Moderation
2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the introduction of decimal currency (DC) in the UK and Eire. In the three years prior to the change the shilling and two shilling coins were replaced by 5p and 10p coins, and the 10 shilling note replaced by a strange shaped 50p coin. These were exact equivalents and caused no problem. But then on 15 Feb 1971 the ½p (abolished 1984), 1p and 2p copper coins were introduced. Some aggravation might have been avoided if they had a £1 of 100 cents to prevent the confusion of "d" and "p" pennies, but the problem soon largely disappeared as the public grudgingly accepted DC.
Years of inflation have rendered the 1p and 2p coins virtually worthless. Bus and rail fares are.. denominated in 5p and 10p steps. I think the time has come to abolish the 1p and 2p coins, and the Royal Mint has stopped minting 2p coins until 2030, but I can't see them being minted ever again. The argument against rounding is because it usually means rounding UP. To be honest most people wouldn't feel a 4p price rise these days(in 1971 it would have caused uproar). With paperless transactions the pennies aren't noticed. Perhaps for a short term measure supermarkets could offer e.g. £1 per £20 spent off the price.No bus driver or ticket office would be pleased to take even up to 20p in copper which is legal tender maximum.
I have an idea for the abolished coins . Scrap the £5 note and replace it with a blue tinted seven sided coin with a Braille 5 in the centre. This coin would be the same size as the previous 50p coin. These blue £5 coins could be made by melting down the 1p and 2p coins. Any Thoughts?
Years of inflation have rendered the 1p and 2p coins virtually worthless. Bus and rail fares are.. denominated in 5p and 10p steps. I think the time has come to abolish the 1p and 2p coins, and the Royal Mint has stopped minting 2p coins until 2030, but I can't see them being minted ever again. The argument against rounding is because it usually means rounding UP. To be honest most people wouldn't feel a 4p price rise these days(in 1971 it would have caused uproar). With paperless transactions the pennies aren't noticed. Perhaps for a short term measure supermarkets could offer e.g. £1 per £20 spent off the price.No bus driver or ticket office would be pleased to take even up to 20p in copper which is legal tender maximum.
I have an idea for the abolished coins . Scrap the £5 note and replace it with a blue tinted seven sided coin with a Braille 5 in the centre. This coin would be the same size as the previous 50p coin. These blue £5 coins could be made by melting down the 1p and 2p coins. Any Thoughts?