Remember when you could buy 12 'black-jacks' for a shilling or a string of liquorice for just half a penny? Those were the good old days, and you can recapture your fond memories of the pre-decimal era with these exquisite collections of genuine coins and banknotes. Each collection represents a selection of the most memorable coins and notes from the pre-decimal period and includes the 'thrupenny bit', the 'farthing', and the silver half crown - each of which boast a fascinating history.

The Half Penny can be traced back as far as the Viking invasions when it was originally a silver coin, but as the price of silver rose, the half pennies became too small to serve any useful purpose. The first copper half pennies were minted in 1672, and survived as the bronze decimal half pence until 1984.

The Farthing also originated during the Saxon reign, and got its name from the Anglo Saxon word feorthing - meaning a fourth part. It was so called because to obtain small change , the Saxons would cut the silver pennies into halves or quarters. Bronze farthings appeared around the reign of Charles II, and the last were issued in 1956.

The Half Crown was first introduced as a gold coin by Henry VIII. Edward VI minted the coin in silver, and it survived in this form until 1970. Edward VI also introduced the Sixpence in 1551, which survived as a unit of currency until 1967.

The Shilling was yet another coin introduced by King Henry VIII. It was first known as a Testoon, from the Italian word testa - meaning head, so called because it had the King's portrait on the obverse. It survives as the 5 pence piece to this very day.

The Florin originated in Florence in 1252. Its name was taken from the Italian word Fiorino - meaning flower, because of the picture of a lily found on the reverse of the coin. The first English silver florins were issued in 1849, and survived today as the decimal 10 pence.

The twelve-sided Three Pence is a much more modern coin, which dates back to 1937, during the reign of King George VI, although preparation coins were released one year earlier, these were just trial pieces and are now exceptionally rare.

The 'old' One Pound Note first came into circulation in 1797 during the reign of King George III. It was withdrawn in 1821, but reissued again by King George V in 1928. The newer version of which this is an example, survived until 1984, when during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, it was exchanged for a more cost effective coin.

The 10 Shilling Note was also issued by King George V, in 1928, and was discontinued just 42 years later in 1970. All of the coins included in the Authentic British Sterling Collection are late edition originals, and in good condition. The notes included in the collection are in very good condition.