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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: RJMortimer on Wednesday 19 December 12 12:27 GMT (UK)

Title: Value of 35 Guineas in 1870?
Post by: RJMortimer on Wednesday 19 December 12 12:27 GMT (UK)
Hi,

In 1870 my great great great grandfather was a doctor/ chemist who owned a piano worth 35 guineas. I would like to know how wealthy he was because I'm trying to figure from an image whether the building he lived in was one or two households and so would appreciate any help in giving the modern value of his piano. And has spending value changed much?

Thanks,

Ryan  :)
Title: Re: Value of 35 Guineas in 1870?
Post by: Ruskie on Wednesday 19 December 12 12:40 GMT (UK)
There are a number of sites which explain how to convert old currency. An example here:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency/
(you will probably need to do some sums to convert guineas to pounds ...  :))
Title: Re: Value of 35 Guineas in 1870?
Post by: Sandymc47 on Wednesday 19 December 12 12:44 GMT (UK)
Being old enough to have handled pounds, shillings and pence.
35 guineas was £35. and 35shillings.
Added together it would make £36. 15s. 0d
 :)

regards
Sandymc

p.s. That was rich where I came from in Leeds poverty.
The wages for ordinary mill or coal miners would have been
in shillings a week with maybe a pound if overtime was worked.
Title: Re: Value of 35 Guineas in 1870?
Post by: Bazza64 on Wednesday 19 December 12 12:46 GMT (UK)
http://www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare/

or the above, but as you can see it's not totally straightforward. A Guinea itself was worth £1 and 1 shilling or £1.05 in decimals. I would say that he wasn't doing too badly  ;)
Title: Re: Value of 35 Guineas in 1870?
Post by: dave-the-rave on Wednesday 19 December 12 12:50 GMT (UK)
hi i get it to £36 s15 which up to 2005 is £1.679.48 dave
Title: Re: Value of 35 Guineas in 1870?
Post by: RJMortimer on Wednesday 19 December 12 12:52 GMT (UK)
thanks for the quick replies  :) £36 15 shillings on National Archives converter gives a little under £1700 which is about right for a modern upright piano so thanks for the help!