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  • 5 hours ago
In 1966, Australia changed its currency from shillings and pence to dollars and cents, and along with it, reshaped the classroom. The Royal Australian Mint is finding the kids in this historic photo.
Transcript
00:00You listening, Gran?
00:04Sonny, I'm making apple pies, and...
00:06Oh, yes, yes, I'm listening.
00:09Well, you know what?
00:10We'll start using dollars and cents all over Australia...
00:13I get with it, you're not listening.
00:15We'll start using dollars and cents all over Australia...
00:18When?
00:18Come on, when?
00:20Psst, February 14th, 1966.
00:23February 14th, 1966.
00:25Right, and one dollar equals exactly...
00:27Psst, ten shillings.
00:29One dollar equals exactly ten shillings.
00:31Right, and two dollars equal exactly...
00:34Psst, two dollars equal exactly one pound.
00:37Right, when will the pies be ready?
00:40Here, Sonny, cut yourself a slice of pie.
00:42Oh, you do know about dollars and cents.
00:45Sure, we'll start using dollars and cents all over Australia...
00:49...on February 14th, 1966.
00:52One dollar equals exactly ten shillings.
00:55Two dollars equal exactly one pound.
00:57See, even a little old lady like me can get with it.
01:09Gran, what did I say?
01:10Uh, you said, we'll start using dollars and cents all over Australia on February 14th, 1966.
01:18One dollar equals exactly ten shillings.
01:20Two dollars equal exactly one pound.
01:22What else?
01:23Get with it.
01:24Psst.
01:24Psst.
01:25I know.
01:29For about two years after February 14th, 1966, we'll use both kinds of money.
01:36Dollars and cents, pound shillings and pence.
01:38Or shopping can be done with both kinds of money.
01:41So dollars and cents are as good as pound shillings and pence.
01:44During the two years after February 14th, pound shillings and pence gradually will go out of circulation.
01:50Then we'll use dollars and cents.
01:52Two kinds of money for about two years.
01:54Dollars and cents, pound shillings and pence.
01:56One as good as the other.
01:57The old money gradually making way for the new.
02:01Right.
02:02See?
02:02Even a little old lady like me can get with it.
02:12That's very nice, dear, but you're supposed to be practicing your scales.
02:15I'm practicing for something else, Gran.
02:17February 14th, 1966.
02:19You're making your first public appearance.
02:21Get with it.
02:23What happens on February 14th, 1966?
02:25We'll all start using dollars and cents and pound shillings and pence.
02:29Right.
02:29Now if you want scales, one dollar equals exactly ten shillings.
02:34In one dollar there are one hundred cents.
02:37Ten cents in one single shilling.
02:40And five cents equals six pence.
02:43Very good.
02:44You can get with it too.
02:45One dollar equals exactly ten shillings.
02:48I'd like to learn that.
02:49So would I.
02:50One dollar equals exactly ten shillings.
02:53In one dollar there are one hundred cents.
02:56Ten cents in one single shilling.
02:59And five cents equals six pence.
03:02See, Gran, even a little old lady can get with dollars and cents.
03:05Oh, a dozen apples, please.
03:17They're forty cents a dozen.
03:18What do I do?
03:19Oh, Gran, you can pay in shillings and pence or dollars and cents.
03:23One kind of money is as good as the other.
03:25That's four shillings, right?
03:27Right.
03:28We need bananas too.
03:30I'll have half a dozen, please.
03:31Sixteen cents, please.
03:32Oh, I haven't got sixteen cents exactly.
03:35Don't worry.
03:36Give me two shillings or twenty cents and I'll give you four cents change.
03:40Always pay a little more and you'll get the right change every time.
03:43It always works, Gran, because one kind of money is as good as the other.
03:48Oh.
03:49We'd like a pineapple.
03:50Twenty-three cents, please.
03:52Now, if I give two shillings and ten cents, that's thirty cents, isn't it?
03:56I should get seven cents change.
03:58That's right.
03:59So here's your change.
04:00Seven cents, see?
04:02You always get it right in the chain.
04:04Always pay a little more and you'll get the right change every time.
04:08Seven cents, see?
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