Need Some Help With British Stamp Denominations

In the fifties and later stamps, I see the following denominations:

p
d
nd
st

I am trying to determine which of these are decimal denominations and which ones are pre-decimal. Also in those two categories, which ones are the larger or smaller values. Thanks for any help on this. Jim

Two farthings = 1 halfpenny.
2 halfpennies = 1 penny (1d).
12 pence (12d) = 1 shilling (1s).
20 shillings = 1 pound (£1).

Kiddie currency introduced 1971.

I don't know what you mean by nd or st - these aren't abbreviations for British currency.

yellow, do you mean '1st'?


'2nd'?


They are, respectively, 'first' and 'second' class.

So then, there is no denomination connected with stamps that bear 1st and 2nd. Is that correct?

Also, what is the denomination when given with the letter p? Is that decimal or pre-decimal?

Thanks, Jim

Hi Jim,

Stamps with "1st" or "2nd" are valid for the current rate for these services. They can be used for these rates or when making up higher rates.

The current first class rate for small letters is 63p. In a week's time it will be 64p so all existing "1st" stamps will each be worth a penny more than it is today.

There are also "1st Large Letter" and "2nd Large Letter" stamps which are valid for the current rates for the lowest weight band for these services, e.g. currently 95p for a first class large letter weighing up to 100g.

In the UK we have used "p" as the symbol for penny or pence since decimalisation in 1971.

Before then (and still when referring to pre-decimal values) the symbol for penny/pence was always "d".

By the way, yellow, you have to be British to comment on whether one can say 'one penny' or 'one pence."

Please don't say "one pence"!

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Thanks for all of the great information. Jim