Improper fractions or mixed numbers?

For notes like this, should we give the face value in figure form as an improper fraction (here 273⁄160) or as a mixed number (1 113⁄160)? At the moment it seems that only improper fractions are an acceptable entry. Are we happy with that as the only option or would we like to have the option of mixed numbers too?

Shouldn't it be 378/240 or 1.575?

(1.5*21*12)/240

 Use 273⁄160 assuming it is correct. 

In the absence of pictures is it actually called 1 ½ Guineas? 

1 Guinea = 1 Pound 1 Shilling = 21 Shillings = 21/20 = 42/40 

½ Guinea = 21/40 

1½ Guineas = 63/40 [= 189/120] 

 Surely?  

 The other way round, using 

1 Pound 14 Shillings 1½ Pence lettering … 

1½ Pence = 1.5 / 12 = 3/24 = 30/240 

1 Shilling = 1/20 = 12/240 

14 Shillings = 168/240 

1 Pound = 240/240 

Total: 30 + 168 + 240 = 438 

Fraction: 438/240 = 219/120 

Neither.
It should be stated only as it is on the notes: 1½ Guineas = 1 Pound 14 Shillings 1½ Pence.

Any other statement of the denomination as a fraction or a decimal would be silly and meaningless to anyone who is familiar with the notes. It would be an attempt to introduce a new terminology which makes no sense.

The fraction as stated is also meaningless in that it has no units: 273⁄160 of what.

 Yes; agreed. 😶 

 Anyway, 1½ Guineas is not the same as it says on the note. 

1 Pound 1 Shilling = 21 Shillings 

½ of that = 10 Shillings 6 Pence 

Total: 1 Pound 11 Shillings 6 Pence 

@Hibernia The fraction or number is for Numista sorting. The algorithm doesn't care for an alphanumeric string like ‘1½ Guineas = 1 Pound 14 Shillings 1½ Pence’.

Also it's always a fraction of the main currency unit, in this case pound, that should be quite obvious.

@Idolenz

Got it! 

@Zac
Irish notes issued prior to 1826 were denominated in Irish Pounds, which had a different value to British Pounds.

As guineas had a fixed value in British Pounds, Irish notes denominated in guineas always stated the equivalent value in Irish Pounds, Shillings and Pence.

Some info about it here: https://www.irishpapermoney.com/old-irish-bank-notes/bank-of-ireland-old/bank-of-ireland-1791-old-banknotes-Series-B.html

@Ceh

I'm looking at your listing now. Are you sure these are demonetized?

I would need to look it up, but my first thought on it is that they may still be redeemable at their face value equivalent of One Guinea and a Half.

Hello,

The numeric face value is currently either a decimal value or a fraction. I don't think we should overcomplicate it and add another format. The face value “in word form” is enough to clarify those specific complex cases.

Wow, I wasn't expecting that much discussion or arithmetic! I hope it's clear now that the British shilling was worth 13 Irish pence, hence the guinea was worth 22 shillings 9 pence and this note was therefore £1 14s 1½d = (240 + 14*12 + 1.5)/240 = 409.5/240 = 273/160.

I understand that the numeric face value is for sorting. I just wondered, given that it is displayed on the page, whether we were happy with this format. If we are then fine.

The demonetized tag was a hangover from the original submission, now fixed. Hibernia - I know your website has an image of this note. Could you add it at some point?

1 Guinea = 21 Shillings or 1 Pound & 1 Shilling.

Aidan.

BCNumismatics

1 Guinea = 21 Shillings or 1 Pound & 1 Shilling.

 

Aidan.

Please read the previous post.