How can I calculate in pounds, shillings and pence?

To add pounds, shillings and pence manually, columns of figures should be added as follows:

Start with the pence (d.) column. Add up the pence, and, using long division, divide by 12. The result will be a whole number and a remainder (a number between 0 and 11). The whole number represents the number of shillings to be carried over to the shillings (s.) column. The remainder is the number of pence in the total.

Add up the shillings (s.) column (including the figure carried over from the pence column). Divide this number by 20. The result will be a whole number and a remainder (a number between 0 and 19). The whole number represents the number of pounds to be carried over to the pounds (L) column. The remainder is the number of shillings in the total.

Add up the pound (L) column (including the figure carried over from the shillings column).

For example: the sum of the amounts below:

	L.	s.	d.
	4	7	3
	0	19	8
	4	12	7
	1	3	0
	1	15	2
Totals	12	16	8
Divide 20 pence into shillings =			1s. 8d
Carry over the 2s. to shillings column		1	8
Add to previous shillings total		56
Divide 63 shillings into pounds		2L 16s.
Carry over £3 to pounds column	2
Add to previous pounds total	10
Final total	12	16	8

I have an old bank passbook, which records a small balance. How do I trace the account and find out how much it is worth?

The website <www.mylostaccount.org.uk> [accessed 24 April 2024] provides a central point for enquiring about a lost account with any British bank. The service is free to use.

Banks normally paid no interest on sums of money under one pound, irrespective of whether it was a current or savings account. Also note that the final balance in a passbook may not be significant, as this may be the balance when an account information was changed to electronic form in the 1960s. Thereafter, the account holder may not have used the passbook, relying instead on monthly, quarterly or annual statements.