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^{''Perhaps you were looking for the [[pounds|system of measurement]]?''}

^{''Perhaps you were looking for the [[pounds|system of measurement]]?''}

The '''pound''' is a unit of currency formerly in use in many [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]] countries, but now only surviving in a few, including Britain where it is known as the ''pound sterling''. The pound was divided into twenty shillings, which were themselves divided into twelve pence (pennies).

The '''pound''' is a unit of currency formerly in use in many [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]] countries, but now only surviving in a few, including [[Britain]] where it is known as the ''pound sterling''.

The were also half pennies (ha'pennies, pronounced ''hay-p'nee'') and quarter pennies, the latter known as ''farthings''. The symbol of the pound is £.

 

The pound was divided into twenty shillings, which were themselves divided into twelve pence (pennies).

The were also half pennies (ha'pennies, pronounced ''hay-p'nee'') and quarter pennies, the latter known as ''farthings''.

 

The symbol of the pound is £.

Prices expressed in pounds, shillings, and pence were typically written in the form, for example, £2/6/4, which was two pounds, six shillings, and fourpence, or £5/- which was five pounds and no shillings.

The pound is by far the oldest currency in the world still in existence, having been popularised by King [[Offa]] of [[Mercia]], ruler of [[England]], around the year 790 AD. The term 'pound' referred to the fact that it was a pound in weight of silver.

The pound is by far the oldest currency in the world still in existence, having been popularised by King [[Offa]] of [[Mercia]], ruler of [[England]], around the year 790 AD. The term 'pound' referred to the fact that it was a pound in weight of silver.