"Ten new pence" refers to a denomination of currency that was once used in the United Kingdom. Prior to 1971, the British monetary system was divided into pounds, shillings, and pence. In 1971, the United Kingdom decimalized its currency, transitioning to a simpler decimal system. As part of this change, the previous unit of currency, the shilling, was divided into 100 new pence.
"Ten new pence" therefore represented one-tenth of a pound in the new decimal currency. The phrase specifically denotes a value of ten pence, creating a simplified monetary unit that could easily be combined with other denominations to form different amounts. This new denomination was introduced as legal tender and featured a distinct design on the coin, helping to differentiate it from other values.
However, it is important to note that "ten new pence" is no longer in active use as the decimal currency has evolved further since its introduction. In 1982, the term "new" was dropped, and the currency became known simply as "ten pence." Today, the British decimal currency comprises coins of different denominations, including 1 penny, 2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 20 pence, 50 pence, 1 pound, and 2 pounds.
