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==Great Britain==
==Great Britain==
The penny first appeared in [[Anglo Saxon]] [[England]] in the late seventh century. Pennies were originally made of silver, subsequently [[copper]] and later [[bronze]], but since 1992 made of copper-plated [[steel]]. The plural is [[pence]] when referring to an amount of money, or pennies when referring to the coins. Pre-[[decimalisation]] there were 12 pence (written as 12d) to the shilling (written as 1s) and 20s to the pound, giving 240 pence to the [[pound]]. Post-decimalisation this was changed to 100 [[new pence]] in the pound, making one new penny equal to two-and-a-half old pence, five new pence equal to the shilling and ten new pence equal to two shillings. Indeed, even in the eighties it was still possible to find five pence coins marked as being worth one shilling, and ten pence coins marked as being worth two shillings.
The penny first appeared in [[Anglo-Saxon]] [[England]] in the late seventh century. Pennies were originally made of silver, subsequently [[copper]] and later [[bronze]], but since 1992 made of copper-plated [[steel]]. The plural is [[pence]] when referring to an amount of money, or pennies when referring to the coins. Pre-[[decimalisation]] there were 12 pence (written as 12d) to the shilling (written as 1s) and 20s to the pound, giving 240 pence to the [[pound]]. Post-decimalisation this was changed to 100 [[new pence]] in the pound, making one new penny equal to two-and-a-half old pence, five new pence equal to the shilling and ten new pence equal to two shillings. Indeed, even in the eighties it was still possible to find five pence coins marked as being worth one shilling, and ten pence coins marked as being worth two shillings.
The penny was not the smallest unit of currency. Until 1960, this title was held by the farthing (one quarter of a penny). After 1960, the smallest unit was the halfpenny (known as the ha'penny, pronounced ''haip-nee''). After decimalisation, a half-penny coin was circulated until 1984.
The penny was not the smallest unit of currency. Until 1960, this title was held by the farthing (one quarter of a penny). After 1960, the smallest unit was the halfpenny (known as the ha'penny, pronounced ''haip-nee''). After decimalisation, a half-penny coin was circulated until 1984.