Pence vs. Penny — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 4, 2023
Pence is the plural of penny, referring to the coins in British currency; a penny is a single coin in various currencies.
Difference Between Pence and Penny
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Key Differences
Pence and penny both refer to currency but differ in number and regional use. A penny is a singular term for a coin used in various countries, historically representing a small value. Pence is the plural form used in the context of British currency, specifically the decimal currency system that succeeded the old system of pounds, shillings, and pence.
In the UK, penny refers to a single unit of currency, while pence is used to discuss amounts more than one. For example, something costing one unit is "one penny," but an item costing two or more units is "two pence," or simply "two p." The distinction is similar to "dollar" and "dollars" in the US.
The word penny has historical significance, dating back to Anglo-Saxon England, and it has a symbolic presence in idioms such as "a penny for your thoughts." On the other hand, pence does not carry the same idiomatic usage and is primarily functional in discussing multiple units of currency.
While penny is used in the singular to denote the smallest denomination of currency in the UK and historically in the USA and other countries, pence is exclusively used in the context of British money. The American equivalent of pence would be cents, emphasizing the plurality of the smallest currency unit.
Comparison Chart
Number
Plural
Singular
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Currency
British (multiple units)
British/American/others (single unit)
Usage
Refers to multiple pennies
Refers to a single coin
Idiomatic Presence
Rarely used in idioms
Common in idioms ("A penny for your thoughts")
American Equivalent
Cents
Cent
Compare with Definitions
Pence
British Currency (Plural)
Pence is the plural of penny in British currency. I have fifty pence in my pocket.
Penny
Currency Unit
A penny is the smallest denomination of currency in several countries. He found a penny on the ground.
Pence
Multiple Coins
Refers to more than one penny coin. She donated twenty pence to the charity.
Penny
Monetary Value
Represents the singular monetary value in pence. That costs just a penny!
Pence
Historical Currency
Denotes plural pre-decimal coins in historical British currency. He collected old British pence from the Victorian era.
Penny
Historical Coin
A term for historical coins of value one penny. A penny from 1912 is now worth much more.
Pence
Monetary Value
Represents the plural monetary value in pence. The snack cost 30 pence.
Penny
A penny is a coin (pl. pennies) or a unit of currency (pl.
Pence
Decimal System
Pence is used in the context of the decimal system of currency. The machine only accepts one, two, or five pence coins.
Penny
In the United States and Canada, the coin that is worth one cent.
Pence
A plural of penny1.
Penny
Abbr. p. A coin used in Great Britain since 1971, worth 1/100 of a pound. Also called new penny.
Pence
Plural of penny(the subunit of the pound sterling or Irish pound).
Penny
Abbr. d. A coin formerly used in Great Britain, worth 1/12 of a shilling or 1/240 of a pound.
Penny
A coin formerly used in the Republic of Ireland, worth 1/100 of a pound.
Penny
A coin used in various dependent territories of the United Kingdom.
Penny
Any of various coins of small denomination.
Penny
A sum of money.
Penny
Variant of pinny.
Penny
(Informal) A pinafore.
Penny
Or penny(Sports) One of a set of uniformly colored, usually sleeveless shirts worn as a temporary team uniform, as when scrimmaging.
Penny
(historical) In the United Kingdom and Ireland, a unit of currency worth 240 of a pound sterling or Irish pound before decimalisation, or a copper coin worth this amount. Abbreviation: d.
Penny
In the United Kingdom, a unit of currency worth 100 of a pound sterling, or a copper coin worth this amount. Abbreviation: p.
Penny
(historical) In Ireland, a coin worth 100 of an Irish pound before the introduction of the euro. Abbreviation: p.
Penny
In the US and (formerly) Canada, a one-cent coin, worth 100 of a dollar. Abbreviation: ¢.
Penny
In various countries, a small-denomination copper or brass coin.
Penny
A unit of nail size, said to be either the cost per 100 nails, or the number of nails per penny. Abbreviation: d.
Penny
Money in general.
To turn an honest penny
Penny
(slang) To jam a door shut by inserting pennies between the doorframe and the door.
Zach and Ben had only been at college for a week when their door was pennied by the girls down the hall.
Penny
(electronics) To circumvent the tripping of an electrical circuit breaker by the dangerous practice of inserting a coin in place of a fuse in a fuse socket.
Penny
(Oxbridge slang) During a meal or as part of a drinking game, to drop a penny in a person's drink such that they must finish it (or some such variation thereof); commonly associated with crewdates at Oxford and swaps at Cambridge.
Penny
Denoting the weight in pounds for one thousand; - used in combination, with respect to nails; as, tenpenny nails, nails of which one thousand weight ten pounds.
Penny
Worth or costing one penny; as, penny candy.
Penny
A former English coin, originally of copper, then of bronze, the twelfth part of an English shilling in account value, and equal to four farthings, or about two cents; - usually indicated by the abbreviation d. (the initial of denarius).
Penny
Any small sum or coin; a groat; a stiver.
Penny
Money, in general; as, to turn an honest penny.
What penny hath Rome borne,What men provided, what munition sent?
Penny
See Denarius.
Penny
A fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound
Penny
A coin worth one-hundredth of the value of the basic unit
Penny
Single Coin
Refers to a single coin in British currency. The penny is no longer made of copper.
Penny
Idiomatic Usage
Penny is often used in idioms and expressions. A penny saved is a penny earned.
Common Curiosities
How many pence make a pound?
There are 100 pence in one British pound.
What are pence?
Pence are the plural form of penny in British currency.
What does penny mean?
Penny refers to a small denomination of currency in several countries.
Is the penny still used today?
Yes, the penny is still used, particularly in the UK and the US.
Do all countries use the term pence?
No, pence is specific to British currency.
Can I use pence in the US?
No, pence are part of the UK currency and not accepted in the US.
Are pence and penny the same value?
Yes, they represent the same monetary unit, but pence is plural.
Can I say 'one pence'?
No, the correct term for the singular is 'one penny'.
Are penny and pence used in financial markets?
Yes, but pence is more common in UK financial contexts.
What is the material of a penny?
Pennies were traditionally made of copper, but now often have a copper-plated zinc.
Why is the American penny called a cent?
Cent comes from the Latin 'centum' meaning hundred, indicating it’s 1/100 of a dollar.
What is the symbol for pence and penny?
The symbol is "p" for both.
How do I convert pence to dollars?
You must check the current exchange rate and convert accordingly.
How can I tell if my penny is old or new?
Check the date on the coin; pre-1971 is old penny, post-1971 is new penny.
Are old pence and new pence the same?
No, old pence were part of the pre-decimal system; new pence are decimal.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
