The coins were issued Article source gradually into circulation, starting in mid-2008. They have the same sizes, shapes and weights as those with the old designs which, apart from the round pound coin which was withdrawn in 2017, continue to circulate. This did not result in the conversion of sterling into a decimal system, but it was agreed to establish a Royal Commission to look into the issue. However, largely due to the hostility to decimalisation of two of the appointed commissioners, Lord Overstone and John Hubbard , decimalisation in Britain was effectively quashed for over a hundred years. That was due to a drastic increase in silver prices from an average 27s 6d [£1.375] per troy pound in the period between 1894 and 1913, to 89s 6d [£4.475] in August 1920.