Was it shillings? Guildings? something like that?
2007-12-30 16:33:39 · 7 answers · asked by mygirlfrogprince 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
And how much of this currency would it cost to see a play? (like those in a theatre, written by shakespeare or something...) thks!
2007-12-30 17:09:24 · update #1
The pence is as old as England but since this link is well written I will let it speak for itself...
http://www.bignell.uk.com/16th_century.htm
"""13 44-1464
The Florin was replaced by the Noble, valued at 6/8d, which was also the value of half a Mark and of one-third of a pound (neither of which were represented by English coins at this time). A Half Noble and Quarter Noble were also introduced and a Half-Groat was introduced around 1352.
Farthing = 1/4 penny
Half penny = 1/2 penny
Penny = basic monetary unit
Half groat = 2 pence
Groat = 4 pence
Quarter noble = 20 pence =1s 8d
Half noble = 40 pence =3s 4d
Noble = 80 pence =6s 8d
Top of page
1464-1470
To increase the supply of bullion to the mint, in 1464 the penny was reduced to 12 grains in weight (it had been twice that in 959) and the Noble was revalued to 8/4d. In 1465 and new coin, the Ryal, or Rose Noble, worth 10s, was issued. As the old value of the Noble 6/8d, had become a standard for professional fees, a new coin of that value, the Angel, was also issued.
Farthing = 1/4 penny
Half penny = 1/2 penny
Penny = basic monetary unit
Half groat = 2 pence
Groat = 4 pence
Quarter ryal = 30 pence =2s 6d
Half noble = 50 pence =4s 2d
Half ryal = 60 pence =5s
Angel = 80 pence =6s 8d
Noble = 100 pence =8s 4d
Ryal = 120 pence =10s
Top of page
1470-1489
Under Henry VI the Angel and the Half-Angel were the only gold coins issued.
Farthing = 1/4 penny
Half penny = 1/2 penny
Penny = basic monetary unit
Half groat = 2 pence
Groat = 4 pence
Half angel = 40 pence =3s 4d
Angel = 80 pence =6s 8d
1489-1526
Henry VII introduced a radical change to the monetary system by introducing the Sovereign, a pound coin. Although pounds had been used in accounts for centuries, no pound coin had been issued before. He also introduced the Testoon, a one shilling coin, at the start of the 16th century and re-introduced the Ryal for a while. Double and treble sovereigns were struck at this time, but probably not for general use.
Farthing = 1/4 penny
Half penny = 1/2 penny
Penny = basic monetary unit
Half groat = 2 pence
Groat = 4 pence
Testoon = 12 pence =1s
Half angel = 40 pence =3s 4d
Angel = 80 pence =6s 8d
Ryal = 120 pence =10s
Sovereign = 240 pence = 20s =£1
Top of Page
1526
Henry VIII is particularly noted for debasing the value of English coinage. Initially, in 1526, gold coins were increased to 110% of their original value. A new coin, the Crown of the Rose, valued at 4s 6d was introduced.
Farthing = 1/4 penny
Half penny = 1/2 penny
Penny = basic monetary unit
Half groat = 2 pence
Groat = 4 pence
Testoon = 12 pence =1s
Half angel = 44 pence =3s 8d
Crown of the Rose = 54 pence = 4s 6d
Angel = 88 pence =7s 4d
Sovereign = 264 pence = 22s =£1 2s
Top of Page
1526-1551
A few months later, the coins were revalued again, the Crown of the Rose was replaced by the Crown of the Double Rose, worth 5s, and a new coin worth 6s 8d introduced, the George Noble. The values in this table represent the start of this period. By 1551, the actual silver content of coins was down to about 25%.
Farthing = 1/4 penny
Half penny = 1/2 penny
Penny = basic monetary unit
Half groat = 2 pence
Groat = 4 pence
Testoon = 12 pence =1s
Half crown = 30 pence = 2s 6d
Half angel = 45 pence =3s 9d
Crown = 60 pence = 5s
George Noble = 80 pence =6s 8d
Angel = 90 pence =7s 6d
Half sovereign = 135 pence =11s 3d
Sovereign = 270 pence = 22s 6d =£1 2s 6d
Top of Page
1551-1553
In 1551, the old coins were devalued and new fine silver coins were introduced. These included new silver denominations of 3d, 6d, half-crown and crown. The testoon now became the shilling. A new gold coin, the Fine Sovereign, worth 30s was also introduced. The coinage was starting to take the form it would have when it was replaced by decimal currency. It can be seen that there was an overlap in some values.
Farthing = 1/4 penny
Half penny = 1/2 penny
Penny = basic monetary unit
Half groat = 2 pence
Threepence = 3 pence
Groat = 4 pence
Sixpence = 6 pence
Shilling = 12 pence = 1s
Half crown = 30 pence = 2s 6d
Half crown = 30 pence = 2s 6d
Crown = 60 pence = 5s
Crown = 60 pence = 5s
Half angel = 60 pence = 5s
Angel = 120 pence = 10s
Half sovereign = 120 pence = 10s
Sovereign = 240 pence = 20s = £1
Fine Sovereign = 360 pence = 30s = £1 10s
Top of Page
1553-1558
Under Mary, the following currency was issued
Half penny * = 1/2 penny
Penny = basic monetary unit
Half groat = 2 pence
Threepence = 3 pence
Groat = 4 pence
Sixpence = 6 pence
Shilling = 12 pence = 1s
Half crown = 30 pence = 2s 6d
Crown = 60 pence = 5s
Half angel = 60 pence = 5s
Angel = 120 pence = 10s
Ryal = 180pence = 15s
Fine Sovereign = 360 pence = 30s = £1 10s
* this was actually the ‘base’ penny issued by Edward VI used as a half penny.
Top of Page
1558-1603
Elizabeth I’s reign produced a very wide variety of different denomination coins. The farthing would have been a very small coin, so a three-farthing piece was introduced to provide change from a penny for a farthing value purchase. The old, debased coinage from Edward VI’s reign were also revalued, giving some rather unusual values.
Half penny = 1/2 penny
Threefarthing = 3/4 penny
Penny = basic monetary unit
Half groat = 2 pence
Twopence farthing
revalued Edward VI shilling* = 2¼ pence
Threepence = 3 pence
Groat = 4 pence
Fourpence ha’penny
revalued Edward VI shilling* = 4½ pence
Sixpence = 6 pence
Shilling = 12 pence = 1s
Half crown = 30 pence = 2s 6d
Quarter angel = 30 pence = 2s 6d
Crown = 60 pence = 5s
Half angel = 60 pence = 5s
Angel = 120 pence = 10s
Half pound = 120 pence = 10s
Ryal = 180pence = 15s
Pound = 240 pence = 20s = £1
Fine Sovereign = 360 pence = 30s = £1 10s
* different fineness and with different countermarks"""
Peace///////////////// ppppppppppppppoooooooooo
2007-12-30 16:45:31 · answer #1 · answered by JVHawai'i 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Bear is right but as for going to plays, well for a penny you could stand in the yard (the 'groundlings') while a seat in the galleries cost up to a shilling.
2007-12-31 01:43:24 · answer #2 · answered by gravybaby 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Penny = basic monetary unit
2008-01-03 05:03:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shillings is English money, yes.
2007-12-31 00:45:17 · answer #4 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The pound, just as it is today. As is mentioned above, coins of various denominations were minted at various historical periods, but all were convertible to the pound sterling.
2007-12-31 00:53:35 · answer #5 · answered by Hermoderus 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
the maximum price for the gallery seats was half a crown
2008-01-02 21:36:34 · answer #6 · answered by sophie 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes it is somehow like that.
2007-12-31 00:49:16 · answer #7 · answered by pao d historian 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋