We're coming up to the 50th anniversary of D-Day - decimalisation day. I was only eight years old at the time but I remember it freshly, vividly - public information films like this and jingles such as "decimalisation, decimali-ise, decimalisation, decimali-ise". I remember the smell of the new coins, the tiny halfpenny pieces included. I earnestly committed to memory the conversion rates - that the old sixpences, retained in circulation for tooth fairy and Christmas pudding purposes, were now worth two and a half new pence, for example. I recall the excitement of D-Day itself. I don't recall much resistance, above and beyond a bit of grumbling from elderly relatives not good with numbers, about the changeover. I remember my Grandma taking me out shopping just so I could do the conversions for her.
For me, it signalled life as a continuing unfurling of modernity - the moon landings, colour TV sets, now new money. God help them if they'd delayed decimalisation to this day and age and the indignant pygmies like Rees-Mogg and Francois who would have led the resistance. We'd probably have seen the return of the fucking farthing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlNO...GwO2y-lClUiE2w
For me, it signalled life as a continuing unfurling of modernity - the moon landings, colour TV sets, now new money. God help them if they'd delayed decimalisation to this day and age and the indignant pygmies like Rees-Mogg and Francois who would have led the resistance. We'd probably have seen the return of the fucking farthing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlNO...GwO2y-lClUiE2w
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