Coins and notes: what children learn
Year 1 pupils learn to recognise UK coins and notes and to know what each one is worth. There are eight coins in everyday use (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2) and four Bank of England notes (£5, £10, £20 and £50).
In this game children put four coins and notes in order of value, smallest first. Size is not a good guide: a 5p coin is smaller than a 2p coin but worth more, and a 20p coin is smaller than a 10p coin. Ordering by value helps children look at the number on each coin rather than its size.
This topic covers the Year 1 statutory requirement in the National Curriculum in England (Measurement): pupils should be taught to “recognise and know the value of different denominations of coins and notes”. Year 1 pupils are usually aged 5–6.
For families following US standards, the closest Common Core standard is 2.MD.C.8, which is taught in Grade 2. US equivalent uses dollars and cents, in Grade 2.
How to play
Put the numbers in order. Use the arrow buttons, or pick one card and then another to swap them. Each game has 5 rounds. After you press Check, the correct order is shown if you got it wrong.
Step by step
- Read the number, not the size. Look at the number and the symbol on each coin or note. 50p is worth more than 10p even though the coins are a similar size.
- Pence come before pounds. 100 pence make £1, so every pence coin (1p to 50p) is worth less than a £1 coin.
- Notes are worth more than coins. The smallest note, £5, is worth more than the largest coin, £2.
- Compare the numbers. Within pence or within pounds, a bigger number means more money: 20p is more than 5p, and £20 is more than £10.
Worked examples
Example 1: Put 20p, 2p, £1 and 10p in order, smallest first.
Working: Pence first: 2p, 10p, 20p. £1 is 100p, so it is last.
Answer: 2p, 10p, 20p, £1
Example 2: Which is worth more, a 5p coin or a 2p coin?
Working: 5 is more than 2, even though the 2p coin is bigger.
Answer: The 5p coin
Example 3: Put £5, 50p, £2 and £10 in order, smallest first.
Working: 50p is less than £1. Then £2, then the notes £5 and £10.
Answer: 50p, £2, £5, £10
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Thinking a bigger coin is worth more, so 2p is put after 5p. Hold the coins side by side and read the number on each one aloud.
- Mixing up 50p and £5. Point to the symbol: p means pence, £ means pounds. £5 is worth 500p.
- Thinking £1 is less than 50p because 1 is less than 50. Explain that 1 pound is 100 pence, so £1 is worth two 50p coins.
Activities to try at home
- Empty a purse and sort the coins by value together.
- Play shops with real coins and price labels.
- Ask which coin is worth the most in a small handful of change.
Ideas for the classroom
- Coin rubbings, labelled with each coin's value.
- A class shop where pupils choose the coin needed to pay for an item costing 1p, 2p, 5p or 10p.
- Line up large picture cards of coins and notes in order of value.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Which notes are included?
The four current Bank of England notes: £5, £10, £20 and £50.
Is adding money in Year 1?
Year 1 is about recognising coins and notes and knowing their values. Combining amounts and giving change come in Year 2.
How do I move the cards?
Use the up and down arrow buttons on each card to move it, then choose Check. With a keyboard, Tab to an arrow button and press Enter or Space.