Three shillings

[chinakay]

So, about how much would three shillings in 1902 be worth today? A photographer in Northern Ireland charges 3s for a copy of a baby photo...I thought this was rather pricey....anyone?

Cheers,
China

[Scottiedog]

Hi

based on the site www.measuringworth.com using the retail prices index it looks like it's ....

£11.20

Cheere
Les

[Scottiedog]

Interestingly it depends how you calculate it .....

£13.80    using the GDP deflator
£57.66    using average earnings
£67.06    using per capita GDP
£96.38    using the GDP

These to 2005 only (previous example was to 2006)

Fascinating site. I've always relied on my own indicator in the past based on the number of pints of best bitter per pound (I think it was about 10 back in the early 70s and is now around 0.45 in my neck of the woods). Unfortunately, I can't find the price of a pint in 1902 to test that theory 

Les

[chinakay]

Thank you, Les, how very interesting. I will bookmark the site and have a play with it.

So, I think I was right...a bit pricey for a baby picture! As for the beer, maybe you had to brew your own in 1902

Cheers,
China

[Chorlton]

for Scottiedog:

Typical prices in 1900: a Pint of beer in a public bar 2d (that's 120 pints to the £) or (5 bob = 30 pints)

and:
Pint of fresh milk (London) 2d (0.8p)
Dozen new laid eggs (London) 1/4½d (6.9p)


And for wage comparison:
According to a Dept. of Employment and Productivity, 1981 report:
Average Weekly Cash Wages paid to Ordinary Agricultural Labourers in 1902 was 14/11½.

Therefore that 5/- would be about a third of their weeks wage. 

[MarkyP]

Interestingly enough the National Archives have their own converter at

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency/default0.asp#mid

They only do every 5 years but according to them it would £8.56 in 1900. There's also an option to find out what buying power you could have with today's money. For instance, in 1900 £100 could buy you a quarter of wheat or 5 days of a skilled craftsman in the building trade. Of course £100 today was only worth £2 15 shillings then!

[Scottiedog]

Well, it looks like this erudite discussion of ours has been downgraded to naught but frippery 

So ... in that vein I'll continue with my beer conversion, thanks to new the data kindly provided by Chorlton.

15 bob a week = 90 pints

3 shillings = 18 pints

which in todays money is 18 / 0.45 (here in Cumbria anyway, silly money down south)

... or £40

Yep - according to my converter that was an expensive photo!   

Les

[chinakay]

Yes, any way you look at it, it was a pricey pic. The odd thing is that I can't find any connection to any of the people who ordered a copy.

OTOH, Les, a discussion of beer is never frippery

Cheers,
China

[rancegal]

If it was 1902, my grandfather, a journeyman blacksmith, was earning slightly less than £1 per week

[Roobarb]

As for the beer, maybe you had to brew your own in 1902

Cheers,
China

Probably the best idea now, seeing as the Chancellor has put it up another penny!  Don't forget to include it in your calculations!