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pence

ペンス　—　Names of money

The plural of penny.

Sixpence of Elizabeth I Sixpence of Elizabeth I1560s– Cartwheel twopence Cartwheel twopence1797 Penny of Offa Penny of Offa757–796
A photograph of what this word names.

One pound is twenty shillings, one shilling is twelve pence, for a total of two hundred forty pence. This accounting system, modeled on the Carolingian system, took root in England along with Offa's penny. The pound was a unit of weight and account; the coin held in one's hand was the penny.

In 1279, the four-pence silver groat was attempted, and in 1797, the two-ounce, two-pence copper 'cartwheel' coin was struck by a steam-powered machine.

⚠ On 15 February 1971, one pound became one hundred new pence. The accounting system mixing duodecimal and vigesimal bases ended on this day.