What this is about
In the UK we use 8 coins and 4 notes. The smallest is 1p and the biggest note is £50. 100 pennies (1p) make £1. Knowing the coins is the first money skill.
The eight UK coins
There are eight different coins in the UK. Each one is worth a different amount.
The little ones (1p, 2p, 5p) don't buy very much by themselves. The big ones (£1, £2) buy more.
The two-colour coins are special — they have a silver bit in the middle and a gold bit around the outside.
The four UK notes
For bigger amounts we use notes instead of coins. There are four notes.
Notes are made of plastic (called polymer), not paper. They are stronger and don't rip in the wash.
Each note has a King or famous person on the back.
How they add up
The "p" after a number means pence or pennies.
The "£" sign means pound.
The big rule:
Some quick adds you can practise:
- 5p + 5p = 10p
- 10p + 10p = 20p
- 50p + 50p = £1
- £1 + £1 = £2
- £2 + £2 + £1 = £5
A coin game to try
Get out the spare change from a wallet or piggy bank. Spread the coins out on a table.
- Sort them into 8 piles, one for each kind of coin.
- Count how many of each you have.
- Count how much money each pile is worth.
- Add it all up at the end.
The first time it takes ages. By the third or fourth time, you can do it in minutes.
For teachers: curriculum links
- England — Maths Y1/Y2 Money (recognise UK coins and notes, count amounts)
- England — PSHE Association KS1 L7 (introducing money)
- Wales — Curriculum for Wales Progression Step 1-2 (Maths & Numeracy AoLE)
- Scotland — Curriculum for Excellence MNU 0-09a / 1-09a (money basics)
- NI — Mathematics KS1 Money
Full mapping in the curriculum map.
UK Tax Drag (2026). UK coins and notes — what each one is worth. Ages 5–7 guide. Available at: https://kids.uktaxdrag.co.uk/ages-5-7-coins-and-notes.html
Curriculum mapping: see UK Financial Education Curriculum Map (Version 1.0).
For teachers — use this page as a 10-minute lesson
Learning focus. By the end, pupils can: Recognising UK coins (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2) and notes (£5, £10, £20, £50), and what each is worth.
Plenary (2 min). Each pupil writes one sentence: the most useful thing on this page and one real situation they would use it in. Share three.
Quick check. Mini-whiteboards: pupils state the page’s key rule in their own words. Scan for anyone holding the opposite idea and address it.
Take it further: printable worksheet · age lesson pack · full lesson plans
Where this fits — UK curriculum
Aligned to all four UK nations for Ages 5–7. Full citable mapping & CC BY 4.0 reference: UK curriculum map.
- England
- National Curriculum (England) — Key Stage 1. Mathematics; PSHE (financial education).
- Scotland
- Curriculum for Excellence (Scotland) — Early / First Level. Numeracy & Mathematics — Number, money and measure. (MNU 0-09a, MNU 1-09a)
- Wales
- Curriculum for Wales — Progression Step 1–2. Mathematics and Numeracy; Health and Well-being.
- Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland Curriculum — Foundation Stage / Key Stage 1. Mathematics and Numeracy; Personal Development & Mutual Understanding.