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Ding Ding all change.

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Mark Cummings | 11:30 UK time, Monday, 14 February 2011

Do you remember the tanner, shilling, florin and half crown?

If you do, you must be at least in your 40s, because it was back in February 1971, 40 years ago, that Britain "went decimal" and hundreds of years of everyday currency were turned into history overnight.

On 14 February that year, there were 12 pennies to the shilling and 20 shillings to the pound. The following day all that was history and the pound was made up of 100 new pence.

Do you remember the methods you were taught to get your head around it? Why was the six pence called a tanner? Let me know your memories and funny stories of that time all those years ago! cummings@bbc.co.uk

Here are some of the comments from Monday's show
John on the email says a three penny has 12 sides although some say two sides (front and back)

Simon in Cinderford asks if any listeners know why six pence were called tanners.

Angela in Tewkesbury still has the old 10 shilling note she was given one every Saturday as pocket money

Cynthia in Cirencester worked in a shoe shop when decimalisation came in and they were all sent on a course at the chamber of commerce to be trained.

Robert in Churchdown says when he was a child he was encouraged to fill a Smartie tube with three penny bits because when full it held 80 coins which is £1.

Basil in Minsterworth says if you dip "thrupney" bits into coke or Worcester sauce it cleans them

Cindy in Cheltenham has several "thrupney"bits but they've become discoloured. can anyone advise how to get them back to their original colour?

Dusty in Highnam says his wife worked in a bank during the time of the change of currency. she managed to collect a complete set of the old coins and he still has all of them today and says the "thrupney" bit has 12 sides all in all.

Ian in Dursley says the last time the farthing was legal tender was 31st dec 1960.

Stuart in Hartpury says he can remember back in the 50's working at the markets as a young lad in Lancashire...he said back then 50p was known as "Wilson's washer" after the Prime Minister.

Pat in Tredworth can remember a few weeks before the decimalisation, all the penny chewing gum and chocolate vending machines being taken away. they use to sit outside shops but they all went eventually.

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