When someone mentions “15 bob” in English money, they are referring to a historical British currency known as the shilling. Bob was a common slang term used to describe a shilling, which was equivalent to 12 pennies.
In modern terms, 15 bob would be equivalent to 75 pence or 0.75 pounds sterling. The shilling was phased out in 1971 when the United Kingdom decimalized its currency system.
What other slang terms were used for shillings?
Some other slang terms for shillings included “quid” and “bit.” These terms were commonly used to refer to specific quantities of shillings.
What is the value of a shilling in today’s currency?
As mentioned earlier, 1 shilling is equivalent to 5 pence in today’s currency. Therefore, 15 bob would be worth 75 pence.
When did the UK decimalize its currency system?
The UK decimalized its currency system on February 15, 1971. This marked the end of the shilling and the introduction of the new decimal currency system.
What was the shilling’s symbol?
The symbol for the shilling was a lowercase “s” which represented the Latin word “solidus.”
How did the shilling compare to other British coins?
The shilling was equal to 12 pennies or 1/20th of a pound. It was also equal to one bob, which was a common term used to refer to a single shilling.
What was the shilling made of?
The shilling was originally minted in silver, but later coins were made of cupro-nickel.
What was the history of the shilling?
The shilling has a long history in British currency, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. It remained in circulation until 1971 when it was replaced by the new decimal currency.
Was the shilling widely used outside of the UK?
The shilling was also used as a currency in other countries that were part of the British Empire, such as Australia, New Zealand, and various African nations.
What was the colloquial term for multiple shillings?
Multiple shillings were often referred to as “bob.” For example, 5 shillings would be called “5 bob” in British slang.
How did the shilling compare to the pound?
The pound was the primary unit of currency in the UK and was equal to 20 shillings. This means that 1 pound was equal to 240 pence.
What was the significance of the shilling in British culture?
The shilling was a significant part of British culture and history, with various idioms and sayings revolving around the currency. For example, the phrase “a shilling short of a pound” is used to describe someone who is not very intelligent.
Did the decimalization of the currency system affect the value of the shilling?
With the decimalization of the currency system, the shilling was phased out and its value was converted into the new decimal currency. The shilling was replaced by the new 5 pence coin.