Ever wondered what your salary would have been worth centuries ago? Or how much a loaf of bread cost in medieval England? The National Archives Currency Converter offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, allowing you to calculate the purchasing power of British currency from 1270 to 2017. This tool is invaluable for historians, researchers, and anyone curious about the economic realities of bygone eras.
The National Archives Currency Converter is an online tool designed to estimate the relative value of money across centuries. By inputting a specific year and amount in pounds, shillings, and pence, the converter provides an estimate of its equivalent value in "today’s pence" (referring to 2017, the last year the tool was updated). It also illustrates what that sum could buy in terms of goods like animals, wool, and wheat.
Using the currency converter is straightforward:
Keep in mind that the converter requires JavaScript to be enabled in your browser.
It's crucial to understand that the results provided by the currency converter are intended as a general guide. The National Archives emphasizes that the calculations are not a categorical statement of fact. Several factors contribute to this:
Since the National Archives Currency Converter is not updated beyond 2017, you may need alternative tools for more recent comparisons. The National Archives recommends the following resources:
The retail price index may not always be the most appropriate measure for historical comparisons. Depending on your research question, comparisons based on average earnings or gross domestic product (GDP) per head might be more relevant. MeasuringWorth.com offers detailed explanations of each calculation type and the sources used.
The National Archives provides additional resources to contextualize the currency converter's results. Explore these articles to gain further insights into the living conditions and economic realities of specific periods:
The National Archives Currency Converter is a valuable tool for anyone seeking to understand the historical value of British currency. While it's essential to interpret the results with caution and consider its limitations, it provides a fascinating glimpse into the economic past. By combining the converter with other resources and historical context, you can gain a richer understanding of life in different centuries.
