Talk:Two pence (British decimal coin)

Bronze
The article says that prior to 1992 the coins were made of Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. It does not say the exact composition. I have a 1971 two pence coin and would like to know just what it is made of. Could someone please add this detail

Alexselkirk1704 (talk) 21:01, 5 March 2011 (UTC) how much is the value of a 1985 two pence
 * 2p -- Arwel 13:52, 7 Jan 2005 (UTC)

Tuppence
Do some people refer to this coin as a "tuppence"? I'm sure I've heard people do so, but I want to check with others about what they've heard. If they do, we should mention it. Marnanel 17:00, 27 September 2006 (UTC)


 * I have added mention of this. Matt 17:52, 8 April 2007 (UTC).


 * I'm 38 and have lived in the UK all my life, and I have never heard the modern decimal 2p referred to as a "tuppence". It's an archaic term associated with the pre-decimal 2 pence. JonRB (talk) 14:06, 30 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Well I'm only 20; and it's defenately refered to as tuppence every now and then, I even do sometimes, I suppose it depends where you live to the terms "popularity".--Kurtle (talk) 03:16, 2 March 2009 (UTC)
 * Also, the DECIMAL half-penny was also refered to as "ha'penny" (like the predecimal one), so I really disbelieve that decimalisation has anything to do with tuppence naming, as the two terms go hand in hand. I definately reckon it depends where you live to its popularity (and if you've worked at tills in a shop you're far more likely to hear it). Here are 3 recent uses of the word, when referring to the "New" Two Pence which I dug up |1 |2 |3--Kurtle (talk) 15:59, 16 March 2009 (UTC)

Value of old 2p coins
I've heard, and this may be an urban myth, that the scrap value of the copper content of 2p coins minted before 1992 is actually worth more than 2p. If this is the case then it may be worth mentioning in the article. Barnjo (talk) 00:40, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

Format of infobox
I've never really understood how these "infoboxes" are supposed to work when there is more than one design in circulation. At the moment we have a bit of a muddle. Three different obverse designers are given, but only one image, and only one design date. On the other hand, only one reverse design is mentioned. To be consistent and correct we ought to mention both reverse designs, make clear which designs are depicted, and attribute a design date to each design. However, it seems that the template doesn't support this without pain, and it also means that the box becomes rather verbose in repeating just what the article says. Having considered the options I think that the best course is to depict and describe only the most recent designs in the infobox, with a note saying that the others are covered in the main text. So, that's what I've done. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.140.130.168 (talk) 19:38, 9 April 2008 (UTC)


 * Also, the "design date" field is confusing. I assume that whoever made the obverse design date "1994" thought it ought to be the date that the designer actually crafted the design. I think this is confusing; I think it's natural to assume it's the date that the design first appeared on the coins, so I've changed it. If, in respect of either of these points, anyone has any better ideas about how this box is meant to work then please go ahead! 86.140.130.168 (talk) 19:58, 9 April 2008 (UTC)

Please rename article as "Two penny coin"
The article title is grammatically incorrect. It is a two penny coin. An item might cost two pence, but as an adjective it is a two penny coin. Compare: a six cylinder engine, not a six "cylinders" engine. A four man boat, not a four "men" boat. A 30 foot yacht, not a 30 "feet" yacht.

The grammar of "penny" and "pence" has become eroded because inflation since the 1970s means that there are hardly any situations where one penny or two pence are in everyday usage, and many confused British people now use "p" (pronounced like urine) to avoid the grammar. Oddly, Americans use penny more frequently when referring to a cent. 86.137.216.123 (talk) 22:10, 20 May 2020 (UTC)
 * The coin is worth two pence, and it has "two pence" written on it (pictured twice with that wording in the article), so it's reasonable to assume that it is a "Two pence coin". Personally, I don't know anyone who refers to it (or any of the other "pence" coins) as a "two penny coin". I don't know what inflation has to do with it: the same applies for the higher sub-pound denominations. Your argument about confused British people is bizarre: at the time of decimalisation, a shorter name other than the official "new penny" and "new pence" was needed, with "penny" and "pence" still in use for "old money"; "p" was a popular choice and stuck. I don't know what Americans' name for their cent coin has to do with this. Bazza (talk) 09:04, 21 May 2020 (UTC)
 * Your assumption is in error. A stamp saying "two pence" is a two penny stamp. Inflation is indeed the reason - I have met young supermarket cashiers who tell me that the change is "one pence". Ouch. When you are ignorant of your own language, it is small wonder that you cannot learn other people's languages. 86.137.216.14 (talk) 15:03, 21 May 2020 (UTC)