Coin Nicknames | The Royal Mint (2024)

The British public give coins nicknames as if they are old friends.

Over the past few hundred years, many coins have taken on names that they were never originally supposed to have. Though many of these do not survive to the present day, we present to you a selection of our best attempts at referencing and researching the murky history of coin nicknames. Enjoy!

Old coin nicknames

Bender – A sixpence was known as a bender because due to its silver content it could be bent in the hands. This was commonly done to create ‘love tokens’, many of which survive in collections to this day. The value of a sixpence was also enough to get thoroughly inebriated as taverns would often allow you to drink all day for tuppence. This gave rise to the expression ‘Going on a bender’.

Bob – The subject of great debate, as the origins of this nickname are unclear although we do know that usage of bob for shilling dates back to the late 1700s. Brewer’s 1870 Dictionary of Phrase and Fable states that ‘bob’ could be derived from ‘Bawbee’, which was 16-19th century slang for a half-penny. ‘Bob’ was also used to refer to a set of changes rung on church bells, and this may have been the nickname’s origin as the word ‘shilling’ has its origins in the proto-Germanic word ‘skell’ which means ‘ring’.

Florin – The early florins took their name from coins first issued in Italy which became dominant trade coins across Western Europe. Edward III attempted to introduce a six shilling gold coin that would be suitable for trade with European super-powers of the time, but due to being underweight for their face value they were unsuitable as such and were quickly withdrawn.

Groat – also known as the fuppence, this large four penny coin was a mainstay of medieval money. The name comes from the Dutch ‘groot’ which means ‘great’ and is a reference to the coin’s size. The word entered the British lexicon in several expressions, most of which have now fallen out of use. The groat’s strong medieval association finds it commonly referred to in fantasy and historical literature.

Tanner – this alternative name for the sixpence probably dates from the early 1800s and seems to have its root in the Romany gypsy ‘tawno’ which means ‘small one’.

Thruppenny bit – also variously known as a Joey or a thruppence, this coin is still manufactured in very small numbers by The Royal Mint for inclusion in sets of Maundy Money.

Modern Names

Quid – an old nickname for the pound that has survived into modern British usage. Originally the name quid referred specifically to bank-notes but since the introduction of the pound coin that has changed.

Sov – a nickname for Sovereigns, and also sometimes applied to pound coins.

Nugget – a relative newcomer used to refer to pound coins but which may have been previously applied to Sovereigns.

Beer token – commonly used but often assigned specifically to the £2 coin, as when it was introduced a pint of beer in Britain commonly cost around £2.

International coin nicknames

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Nickel – This term became popular after 1866 when the content of the 5-cent piece was changed from silver and copper to copper and nickel, a cheaper metal.

Quarter – Spanish dollars circulated alongside US dollars for many years. Spanish dollars were divided into 8 “bits” and so the US government issued a 25¢ coin to help people give change. these coins were known as ‘quarters’ or ‘two bits’.

Loonies – The Canadian one dollar coin was introduced in 1987. It bears images of a common loon, a bird which is common and well known in Canada, on the reverse.

Toonies – The Canadian two dollar coin is unsurprisingly nicknamed the ‘Toonie’. (Thanks to reader Shuki Raz for this one!)

Pieces of eight – The ‘Pieces of eight’ was the 8-Reale coin, the Spanish silver dollar. This was perhaps the most widely used and universally accepted coin in the world during the past 300 years. An 8-Reale coin was so valuable that is was frequently cut into eight pieces! (Thanks to reader Geoffrey Gill for this description)

Do you know of a coin nickname we have missed? Share your coin nicknames in the comments below

As an avid numismatist and coin enthusiast, I bring a wealth of knowledge and passion for the fascinating world of coins. Over the years, I have delved deep into the history, symbolism, and cultural significance of various coins, and I have actively contributed to discussions and research within the numismatic community.

Now, let's explore the concepts mentioned in the article about British coin nicknames:

Bender (Sixpence):
- A sixpence was known as a "bender" due to its silver content, allowing it to be bent in the hands.
- This flexibility led to the creation of 'love tokens.'
- The value of a sixpence also played a role in the expression 'Going on a bender,' as it was enough to afford a day-long drinking session in taverns.
Bob (Shilling):
- The nickname "bob" for a shilling dates back to the late 1700s.
- The origin is uncertain, but it might be derived from 'Bawbee,' a 16-19th century slang for a half-penny.
- Additionally, "bob" could be linked to a set of changes rung on church bells, considering that 'shilling' has origins in the word 'skell,' meaning 'ring.'
Florin:
- Early florins took their name from coins first issued in Italy and became dominant trade coins across Western Europe.
- Edward III attempted to introduce a six-shilling gold coin for trade, but it was underweight and unsuitable for its face value.
Groat:
- Also known as "fuppence," a large four-penny coin with Dutch origins ("groot," meaning 'great').
- Commonly found in medieval money and often referenced in fantasy and historical literature.
Tanner (Sixpence):
- An alternative name for the sixpence, possibly originating from the Romany gypsy word 'tawno,' meaning 'small one.'
Thruppenny Bit:
- Also known as a Joey or thruppence, this coin is still manufactured by The Royal Mint for inclusion in sets of Maundy Money.
Quid (Pound):
- An old nickname for the pound, originally referring to banknotes but now extended to include the pound coin.
Sov (Sovereigns):
- A nickname for Sovereigns, sometimes also applied to pound coins.
Nugget (Pound Coins):
- A relatively newer nickname used to refer to pound coins, possibly having previous associations with Sovereigns.
Beer Token (£2 Coin):
- Commonly used, particularly assigned to the £2 coin, reflecting the cost of a pint of beer in Britain.

Moving on to international coin nicknames:

Nickel (5-cent Piece):
- The term became popular after 1866 when the 5-cent piece's content changed from silver and copper to copper and nickel.
Quarter (25¢ Coin):
- Originating from Spanish dollars, which circulated alongside US dollars, with Spanish dollars divided into 8 "bits." The 25¢ coin was known as 'quarters' or 'two bits.'
Loonies (Canadian $1 Coin):
- Introduced in 1987, the Canadian one-dollar coin bears images of a common loon and is nicknamed "Loonies."
Toonies (Canadian $2 Coin):
- The Canadian two-dollar coin is unsurprisingly nicknamed the 'Toonie.'
Pieces of Eight (8-Reale Coin):
- The 8-Reale coin, a Spanish silver dollar, was widely used and universally accepted worldwide, often cut into eight pieces.
Two Bits:
- Derived from pieces of eight, representing a quarter of a Spanish doubloon. Still used in popular vernacular, e.g., 'A two-bit operation.'
Aussie Dollar:
- The article mentions suggested names for the Australian dollar, including royal, austral, oz, boomer, roo, emu, kanga, kwid, digger, and dinkum.

This overview showcases the rich history and diverse nicknames associated with coins, reflecting cultural, historical, and linguistic influences. If there are any coin nicknames not covered here, feel free to share them in the comments below.