The British shilling was a unit of currency used in the United Kingdom before decimalization in 1971. It was worth 12 pence and was often represented by the symbol "s" or "sh." The shilling was part of the pre-decimal currency system, which included other coins like the pound and penny. The shilling was introduced in the 16th century and remained in use for over 400 years. It was commonly used in everyday transactions and was a significant part of British currency until the switch to a decimal system, which simplified calculations and made currency easier to understand for the public.