Halfpenny: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฐ
halfpenny
[ หhรฆlfหpษni ]
currency unit
The halfpenny, symbolized as 'd' for denarius, was a British coin that was worth half of a penny. It was used in England and Ireland before the decimalization of the currency in 1971. The halfpenny was introduced in the 8th century and became a common denomination in everyday transactions. Though it is no longer in circulation, the coin played a significant role in British currency history.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- I found a halfpenny in my pocket.
- He collected coins including a halfpenny.
- The price was reduced by a halfpenny.
Translations
Translations of the word "halfpenny" in other languages:
๐ต๐น meia moeda
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคงเคพ เคชเฅเคธเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Halbpfennig
๐ฎ๐ฉ setengah pence
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟัะฒะฟะตะฝะฝั
๐ต๐ฑ pรณลpens
๐ฏ๐ต ใใผใใใใผ
๐ซ๐ท demi sou
๐ช๐ธ medio penique
๐น๐ท yarฤฑm penny
๐ฐ๐ท ํํ ํ๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุตู ุจูุณ
๐จ๐ฟ pลฏlpenรญze
๐ธ๐ฐ poloviฤnรฝ penny
๐จ๐ณ ๅไพฟๅฃซ
๐ธ๐ฎ pol peni
๐ฎ๐ธ hรกlfpeningur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถะฐััั ัะตาฃะณะต
๐ฌ๐ช แแแฎแแแแ แ แแแแกแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ yarฤฑm pens
๐ฒ๐ฝ medio penique
Etymology
The term 'halfpenny' originates from the Old English term 'healf penning,' which directly translates to 'half of a penny.' The currency system evolved over time, and the halfpenny coin was officially introduced during the reign of King Henry II in the 12th century. This coin was initially a silver coin, part of a system that included the penny and the farthing. Its design and metal composition changed over the centuries, with the introduction of bronze halfpennies in the 19th century. The halfpenny was a staple in British wallets for centuries, often used for small purchases. Its prominence declined as currency transitioned to a decimal system, leading to its eventual discontinuation in everyday transactions in the 20th century.