Snip Snap

Published February 15, 2012 Updated July 10, 2023

Decimal Snap created by Eric Wagstaff, published by Michael Stanfield Holdings, London 1968.

1968 United Kingdom Michael Stanfield Eric Wagstaff Currency Card Games Snap
Snip Snap, the Decimal Currency Game box

Decimal Snap created by Eric Wagstaff,  published by Michael Stanfield Holdings in 1968

Michael Stanfield was a publisher of children's books (Rupert Bear, etc.) and games (jig-saw puzzles, Nine Men's Morris, Bridge sets, etc.) in the late 1960s, 70s and early 80s. ‘Snip Snap’, the Decimal Currency game, was played like Snap and aimed to familiarize players with the new decimal coinage and monetary values. Half of the pack shows sums of money in old English currency whilst the other half shows the same amounts in new (decimal) currency. Players call “snap” when cards showing the same amount are played. The rules are briefly described on the box and on the back of the Conversion Tables, whilst a leaflet enclosed with the cards explains the schedule of events during the changeover to decimal currency (click images to zoom)

See also:  Change for a Shilling

Snip Snap, the Decimal Currency Game, 1968

Above: Decimal Snap created by Eric Wagstaff, published by Michael Stanfield Holdings, London 1968. . A total of 48 cards: 24 cards arranged in 12 sets of 2 to show `old money' 1.2d, 2.4d, 4.8d, 1/-, 2/-, 2/6d, 3/-, 4/-, 5/-, 10/-, 15/-, £1; 24 cards arranged in 12 sets of 2 to show `new money', ½p, 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 12½p, 15p, 20p, 25p, 50p, 75p, 100p. Additional cards showing conversion table between old and new money.

Note: The abbreviation for the old penny, d, was derived from the Roman ‘denarius’, and the abbreviation for the shilling, s, from the Roman ‘solidus’. The shilling was also denoted by the slash symbol / , also called a solidus for this reason and used today in website addresses, which was originally an adaptation of the long s.

Below Left: the back design, a Decimal Currency Conversion Table and rules. The rules were also provided on folded card, printed on both sides: one side green, one side the rules. Right: leaflet enclosed with the cards explaining the schedule of events during the changeover to decimal currency (click images to zoom)

Snip Snap, the Decimal Currency Game, 1968
leaflet enclosed with Snip Snap game explaining the schedule of events during the changeover to decimal currency
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I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.

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