Decimal toys and games - 1968-71

In the run up to decimalisation in 1971, people could buy toys and games to help them get their head around the new money.

I wonder how many children unwrapped a decimal currency game on Christmas Day in 1970 or a Parker Decimal T-Ball pen?

Although the games were aimed at children, it was probably the adults who needed to put in more mental effort to understand the new currency. Most kids found it easy.

These are a selection of the 'new money' games you could buy from 1968 to 1971.

Waddington's Sum-It

Sum-It was a classic Waddington's game. They made an old money version for many years.

Sum-It was similar to card collecting games like Rummy. The idea of the game was to collect seven cards which added up to a secret total on a 'Sum-It' card. There were seven 'Sum-It' cards. Each player got one at the start of the game.

Each player was also dealt seven cards. One card from the pack of the remaining cards was turned up. Each player in turn could swap one card from their hand with the up-turned card or the top card on the pack.

The winner was the first player to have collected seven cards which totalled to their hidden 'Sum-It' card.

In the original version the 'Sum-It' cards were:

2/6 (two shillings and sixpence)
5/- (five shillings) - two cards
10/- (ten shillings)
15/- (fifteen shillings)
20/- (twenty shillings) - two cards

In the decimal game there were only six 'Sum-It' cards, all different:

12½p
25p
50p
75p
£1.10½p
£1.25

The new 'Sum-It' playing cards had the values in both decimal and £sd. It was easier to add up in decimal, so the new Sum-It game was easier.

New Money Snap

New Money Snap was published by the Decimal Currency Board. It was similar to ordinary snap in that you had to match identical cards. However, there was a difference. Equivalent amounts in Sterling (£sd) or new money were allowed to match.

These matches were allowed