February 15, 1971: Decimal Day In Britain

February 15, 1971: Decimal Day in Britain. The old system of coinage is replaced by the current one.

The government had already phased out the farthing coin in 1961: There were 4 farthings in a penny, 12 pence in a shilling, and 20 shillings in a pound; so 960 farthings in a pound. In 1969, they phased out first the half-penny (or "ha'penny"), and then the half-crown: 2 shillings and 6 pence (or "sixpence"), or 1/8th of a pound.

Under the old system, it was 240 pence in a pound. Now, it would be 100 pence in a pound, just like Britain's former possessions America, Canada and Australia all had 100 cents in a dollar. And the shilling was phased out. Also, instead of "d," the abbreviation for "pence" would be the more reasonable "p."

After 15 February, shops continued to accept payment in old coins, but always issued change in new coins. The old coins were then returned to banks, and so most of them were quickly taken out of circulation.

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February 15, 1971 was a Monday. England's "Football League" did not play. Baseball and American football were out of season. There were no NBA or NHL games scheduled for that day.

But 2 games were played in the American Basketball Association. The New York Nets beat the Utah Stars, 98-89 at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City. And the Texas Chaparrals beat the Indiana Pacers, 119-118 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum (now the Corteva Coliseum) in Indianapolis.

And actresses Renee O'Connor and Alex Borstein were born on this day.