Coin Names and Their Nicknames: The Shilling | The Royal Mint (2024)

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What was the shillings nickname? ›

Commonly called the 'bob', it is included in our range of UK coins with popular nicknames. The 'Bob' The term 'shilling' might be derived from a Roman coin called a solidus, or the old English term 'scield'. Eventually, it adopted the nickname 'bob', although quite why remains a mystery.

The crown was a denomination of sterling coinage worth 1⁄4 of one pound, or 5 shillings, or 60 (old) pence. The crown was first issued during the reign of Edward VI, as part of the coinage of the Kingdom of England.

shilling, former English and British coin, nominally valued at one-twentieth of a pound sterling, or 12 pence. The shilling was also formerly the monetary unit of Australia, Austria, New Zealand, and Ireland. Today it is the basic monetary unit in Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The British florin, or two-shilling piece (2/– or 2s.), was a coin worth 1⁄10 of one pound, or 24 pence. It was issued from 1849 until 1967, with a final issue for collectors dated 1970.

A crown equals five shillings. Situated between these two units is the half crown equal to two shillings and six pence. During colonial times the value of an item was often expressed in crowns.

The nickel is the United States' five-cent coin. The person on the obverse (heads) of the nickel is Thomas Jefferson, our 3rd president. He's been on the nickel since 1938, although the current portrait dates to 2006.

The 1953 coronation five-shilling coin holds a significant place in numismatic history as the first commemorative coin in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The non-circulating crown (five shillings) was originally issued as a single coin and as part of a ten-piece collectable set that commemorated the occasion.

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.

What are British coins called? ›

British currency: all about money in the UK

There are 100 pence (p) to the pound (£). UK banknotes come in denominations of £5, £10, £20 and £50. Coins come in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2.

One shilling was divided into 12 pennies. One penny was divided into two halfpennies, or four farthings.

The 'Bob' Coin - English One Shilling

And today, you can secure one of Britain's favourite pre-decimal coins: the English Shilling, also known as the 'Bob' coin. Although it's uncertain where this name came from, many believe that it is linked to the set of changes rung on church bells – also known as 'Bob'.

"Two bits" (that is, two eighths of a piece of eight) is a common nickname for a quarter.

The United States Mint is the government agency that makes coins! Coins are small, metal discs that people use as money. The Mint makes sure people in the U.S. have coins to spend, save, or collect.

The popular nickname for a shilling was a "bob."

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.

Harbormaster : Hold up there, you. It's a shilling to tie up your boat at the dock... and I shall need to know your name. Jack Sparrow : What do you say to three shillings and we forget the name. Harbormaster : Welcome to Port Royal, Mr.

Why Are Pounds Called Quid? There doesn't seem to be a definitive answer, similar to the dollar being referred to as "buck." Some believe it originates from quid pro quo, Latin for "something for something," while others think it came from Quidhampton, where there was once a royal paper mill.