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 KingdomCurrencyEric WagstaffMichael StanfieldCard GamesSnap
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
avatar
1,487 Articles

By Simon Wintle

Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact

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.

Related Articles

1875 Lend Me Five Shillings

Lend Me Five Shillings

or “Her Majesty’s Privy Purse” - a merry round-the-table game published by D. Ogilvy.

Snap

Snap

Anonymous Snap game, 1930s.

1902 C.W.F Snap

C.W.F Snap

C.W.F Snap, c.1902.

1896 Bluffing

Bluffing

Bluffing published by C.W. Faulkner & Co, c.1896.

Change for a Sovereign

Change for a Sovereign

Change for a Sovereign published by J Evans & Sons and printed by Kronheim & Co.

1875 Shearing the Sheep

Shearing the Sheep

Shearing the Sheep published by J. Jaques & Son, c.1875.

1941 Victory Snap

Victory Snap

Wartime Snap, a memoir of past times, c.1941.

1890 Oppenheimer und Sulzbacher

Oppenheimer und Sulzbacher

Card games produced in Germany by Oppenheimer und Sulzbacher.

Snap

Snap

Spear’s “Snap” card game from the 1920s.

1912 Special Edition Snap 1912

Special Edition Snap 1912

Chad Valley Special Edition ‘Snap’ card game, 1912.

Anonymous Snap game

Anonymous Snap game

Anonymous “Snap” game from the late 19th century.

1890 Jack Horner Snap

Jack Horner Snap

“Little Jack Horner” Snap made by Thomas De la Rue & Co Ltd, c.1890.

1866 Snap

Snap

Snap, the Old Original Game, has captured the imaginations of children for over a century!

1950 Contraband

Contraband

Contraband by Pepys Games was first published in early 1950s.

1935 Sum-it Card Game

Sum-it Card Game

‘Sum-it’ Card Game published by Sum-It Card Games Ltd. c.1935.

Animal Snap

Animal Snap

The full set of this 'Snap' card game is believed to have 9 characters in sets of four, making a tot...

1910 Change for a Shilling

Change for a Shilling

Change for a Shilling card game by Geo. Wright & Co., London, c.1910-1926.

Kay Snap

Kay Snap

Kay Snap Children's Card Game, made in England, 1930s.

1938 Dartex

Dartex

Dartex, the Thrilling New Card Game of Skill (1938) based on the traditional pub game where darts ar...

Snap

Snap

An anonymous Snap game purporting to be “British Make”, 1930s.