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The etymology of 'penny' is definitively traced to a West Germanic word for 'frying pan'.
Answer: False
While a West Germanic word for 'frying pan' is one proposed etymology for 'penny' due to its shape, the origin is uncertain and other theories exist, such as a link to 'pfant' (pawn) or Punic 'pn' (Face).
The term 'penny' is historically linked to which ancient currency system?
Answer: The Carolingian denarius
The historical lineage of the term 'penny' is most closely associated with the Carolingian denarius, which itself was influenced by earlier Roman and Greek coinage systems.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a proposed etymological origin for the word 'penny'?
Answer: A borrowing from the Greek word 'drachma'
While the Greek drachma influenced coinage, it is not listed as a proposed etymological origin for the word 'penny' itself. Proposed origins include Germanic words and Punic terms.
What was the former abbreviation for the penny in Britain, derived from Latin?
Answer: d.
The former British abbreviation for the penny was 'd.', derived from the Latin word 'denarius'.
Which of the following countries or regions is NOT listed as having issued a currency unit called 'penny' or its equivalent?
Answer: Italy
The provided information lists Scotland, Finland, and Norway as having issued currency units related to the 'penny' or its cognates. Italy is not mentioned in this context.
What was the former abbreviation for the penny in the United Kingdom, and what replaced it after decimalization?
Answer: 'd.', replaced by 'p'
The historical abbreviation for the penny in the United Kingdom was 'd.', derived from 'denarius'. Following decimalization, this was superseded by 'p'.
Which of the following is a proposed etymological origin for the word 'penny', relating to its shape?
Answer: West Germanic word for 'frying pan'
One proposed etymological origin for the word 'penny' suggests a connection to a West Germanic word for 'frying pan', possibly due to the coin's shape.
The British abbreviation 'd.' for penny originated from the Greek word 'drachma'.
Answer: False
The British abbreviation 'd.' for penny originated from the Latin word 'denarius', not the Greek 'drachma'.
The word 'penny' is first attested in a 1394 French text.
Answer: False
The word 'penny' is first attested in a 1394 Scots text, not a French one, and is related to Old English terms like 'peni' and 'penning'.
The term 'penny' is historically linked to which ancient currency system?
Answer: The Carolingian denarius
The historical lineage of the term 'penny' is most closely associated with the Carolingian denarius, which itself was influenced by earlier Roman and Greek coinage systems.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a proposed etymological origin for the word 'penny'?
Answer: A borrowing from the Greek word 'drachma'
While the Greek drachma influenced coinage, it is not listed as a proposed etymological origin for the word 'penny' itself. Proposed origins include Germanic words and Punic terms.
What was the former abbreviation for the penny in Britain, derived from Latin?
Answer: d.
The former British abbreviation for the penny was 'd.', derived from the Latin word 'denarius'.
Which of the following countries or regions is NOT listed as having issued a currency unit called 'penny' or its equivalent?
Answer: Italy
The provided information lists Scotland, Finland, and Norway as having issued currency units related to the 'penny' or its cognates. Italy is not mentioned in this context.
What was the former abbreviation for the penny in the United Kingdom, and what replaced it after decimalization?
Answer: 'd.', replaced by 'p'
The historical abbreviation for the penny in the United Kingdom was 'd.', derived from 'denarius'. Following decimalization, this was superseded by 'p'.
Which of the following is a proposed etymological origin for the word 'penny', relating to its shape?
Answer: West Germanic word for 'frying pan'
One proposed etymological origin for the word 'penny' suggests a connection to a West Germanic word for 'frying pan', possibly due to the coin's shape.
King Offa of Mercia is credited with introducing the first Carolingian-style pennies into England.
Answer: True
King Offa of Mercia introduced pennies modeled on Pepin's Carolingian system, establishing a standard weight of 1/240th of the Saxon pound.
The 'sceattas' were miscellaneous silver coins minted in Anglo-Saxon England from around 680 AD.
Answer: True
The 'sceattas' were miscellaneous silver coins minted in Frisia and Anglo-Saxon England from approximately 680 AD onwards, with varying purity and weight.
In Anglo-Saxon England, shillings and pounds were primarily minted coins used for everyday transactions.
Answer: False
In Anglo-Saxon England, shillings and pounds functioned primarily as notional units of account rather than minted coins for most of the period.
What was the original composition and value of the Carolingian penny?
Answer: 0.940-fine silver, valued at 1/240th of a pound
The Carolingian penny was initially minted from 0.940-fine silver and was valued at 1/240th of a pound.
The 'sceattas' were miscellaneous coins minted in Anglo-Saxon England from around 680 AD. What metal were they primarily made of?
Answer: Silver
The 'sceattas' were primarily miscellaneous silver coins minted in Frisia and Anglo-Saxon England from around 680 AD onwards.
What was the significance of Queen Cynethryth in Anglo-Saxon England regarding coinage?
Answer: She was the only queen to mint coins in her own name.
Queen Cynethryth, wife of King Offa, holds the distinction of being the only queen in Anglo-Saxon England to have coins minted bearing her own name.
The Carolingian penny was originally a coin made of gold.
Answer: False
The Carolingian penny was originally a coin made of 0.940-fine silver, not gold.
What was the original composition and value of the Carolingian penny?
Answer: 0.940-fine silver, valued at 1/240th of a pound
The Carolingian penny was initially minted from 0.940-fine silver and was valued at 1/240th of a pound.
The 'sceattas' were miscellaneous coins minted in Anglo-Saxon England from around 680 AD. What metal were they primarily made of?
Answer: Silver
The 'sceattas' were primarily miscellaneous silver coins minted in Frisia and Anglo-Saxon England from around 680 AD onwards.
What was the significance of Queen Cynethryth in Anglo-Saxon England regarding coinage?
Answer: She was the only queen to mint coins in her own name.
Queen Cynethryth, wife of King Offa, holds the distinction of being the only queen in Anglo-Saxon England to have coins minted bearing her own name.
The gold penny minted by Henry III of England in 1257 proved unpopular due to its overvaluation.
Answer: True
The gold penny minted by Henry III in 1257 had a nominal value of 1 shilling and 8 pence but was overvalued for its gold content, leading to its unpopularity and melting down.
The last silver pence for general circulation in England were minted during the reign of Charles II.
Answer: True
The last silver pence intended for general circulation in England were minted during the reign of Charles II, around 1660. Silver pence have since been reserved for Maundy money.
The British penny was made of copper-plated steel from 1860 onwards.
Answer: False
The British penny was replaced by a bronze coin in 1860, composed of 95% copper, 4% tin, and 1% zinc. Copper-plated steel was introduced much later, in 1992.
What historical event prompted the British to use base metals for their pennies instead of silver?
Answer: The expense of the Napoleonic Wars
The expense incurred during the Napoleonic Wars in the late 18th and early 19th centuries necessitated the use of base metals for British coinage, including pennies.
The 'Long Cross' penny's design was significant because it:
Answer: Was easily cut into halves or quarters for smaller change.
The 'Long Cross' penny's design, featuring a prominent cross on the reverse, facilitated its division into halves or quarters to create smaller denominations for change.
Why did the gold penny minted by Henry III of England in 1257 prove unpopular?
Answer: It was overvalued for its gold content.
The gold penny minted by Henry III in 1257 was unpopular primarily because it was overvalued relative to its gold content, making it economically unviable for circulation.
What was the primary reason for the withdrawal of silver pennies from circulation in Britain during the 18th century?
Answer: Their bullion value exceeded their face value.
During the 18th century, the intrinsic value of the silver in pennies surpassed their face value, leading to their withdrawal from circulation as people melted them down for their metal content.
The British penny was replaced by a bronze coin in 1860. What was the composition of this bronze penny?
Answer: 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc
The British penny was reformed in 1860 into a bronze coin composed of 95% copper, 4% tin, and 1% zinc.
What was the composition of the British penny after 1860?
Answer: Bronze (95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc)
Following a change in 1860, the British penny was composed of bronze, specifically an alloy of 95% copper, 4% tin, and 1% zinc.
What was the silver fineness of English currency during Henry II's reign?
Answer: 0.925-fine sterling
During Henry II's reign, English currency was notionally .925-fine sterling silver.
The 'Long Cross' penny was designed to be cut into halves or quarters to create smaller denominations.
Answer: True
The 'Long Cross' penny's design facilitated its division into halves or quarters, serving as a method to create smaller denominations for currency.
What historical event prompted the British to use base metals for their pennies instead of silver?
Answer: The expense of the Napoleonic Wars
The expense incurred during the Napoleonic Wars in the late 18th and early 19th centuries necessitated the use of base metals for British coinage, including pennies.
The 'Long Cross' penny's design was significant because it:
Answer: Was easily cut into halves or quarters for smaller change.
The 'Long Cross' penny's design, featuring a prominent cross on the reverse, facilitated its division into halves or quarters to create smaller denominations for currency.
Why did the gold penny minted by Henry III of England in 1257 prove unpopular?
Answer: It was overvalued for its gold content.
The gold penny minted by Henry III in 1257 was unpopular primarily because it was overvalued relative to its gold content, making it economically unviable for circulation.
What was the primary reason for the withdrawal of silver pennies from circulation in Britain during the 18th century?
Answer: Their bullion value exceeded their face value.
During the 18th century, the intrinsic value of the silver in pennies surpassed their face value, leading to their withdrawal from circulation as people melted them down for their metal content.
The British penny was replaced by a bronze coin in 1860. What was the composition of this bronze penny?
Answer: 95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc
The British penny was reformed in 1860 into a bronze coin composed of 95% copper, 4% tin, and 1% zinc.
What was the composition of the British penny after 1860?
Answer: Bronze (95% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc)
Following a change in 1860, the British penny was composed of bronze, specifically an alloy of 95% copper, 4% tin, and 1% zinc.
What was the silver fineness of English currency during Henry II's reign?
Answer: 0.925-fine sterling
During Henry II's reign, English currency was notionally .925-fine sterling silver.
The 'penny' is the formal name for the one-cent coin in the United Kingdom.
Answer: False
The term 'penny' is not the formal name for a one-cent coin in the United Kingdom. The UK uses 'pence' as the plural for sums of money and 'penny' for a single coin, but its smallest denomination is the pound sterling, not a cent.
The 'penny' is informally called a 'cent' in Canada.
Answer: False
In Canada, the cent unit of account is informally referred to as a 'penny', not the other way around.
In Britain before decimalization, values from two to eleven pence were often written and spoken as single words, like 'twopence'.
Answer: True
Prior to decimalization, British currency conventions included referring to values like two to eleven pence as single words, such as 'twopence' or 'threepence'.
What is the primary distinction between the plural forms 'pennies' and 'pence' in English?
Answer: Pennies refers to individual coins, while pence refers to a sum of money or unit of account.
The distinction lies in usage: 'pennies' typically refers to multiple individual coins, whereas 'pence' denotes a sum of money or a unit of account.
Which of the following is still used as a unit of account, though no penny is formally subdivided today?
Answer: The mill
While no penny is formally subdivided today, the mill, equivalent to one-tenth of a cent, continues to be used as a unit of account in certain contexts.
Since 1992, British one- and two-penny coins have been made from what material?
Answer: Copper-plated steel
Since 1992, British one- and two-penny coins have been manufactured from copper-plated steel, a change that renders them magnetic.
Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a historical subdivision of the penny?
Answer: Groat
The source material mentions the farthing and halfpenny as historical subdivisions of the penny, and the half cent in relation to US currency. The 'Groat' is not listed as a subdivision of the penny in this context.
What is the informal name for the cent unit of account in Canada?
Answer: Penny
In Canada, the cent unit of account is informally known as a 'penny'.
What is the informal name for the cent unit of account in Canada, and when did coin production end?
Answer: Penny; 2012
The cent unit of account in Canada is informally known as a 'penny', and the production of one-cent coins officially ceased in 2012.
Currently, no penny is formally subdivided into smaller units.
Answer: True
At present, no penny is formally subdivided into smaller monetary units, although historical subdivisions like the farthing existed.
What is the primary distinction between the plural forms 'pennies' and 'pence' in English?
Answer: Pennies refers to individual coins, while pence refers to a sum of money or unit of account.
The distinction lies in usage: 'pennies' typically refers to multiple individual coins, whereas 'pence' denotes a sum of money or a unit of account.
Which of the following is still used as a unit of account, though no penny is formally subdivided today?
Answer: The mill
While no penny is formally subdivided today, the mill, equivalent to one-tenth of a cent, continues to be used as a unit of account in certain contexts.
Since 1992, British one- and two-penny coins have been made from what material?
Answer: Copper-plated steel
Since 1992, British one- and two-penny coins have been manufactured from copper-plated steel, a change that renders them magnetic.
Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a historical subdivision of the penny?
Answer: Groat
The source material mentions the farthing and halfpenny as historical subdivisions of the penny, and the half cent in relation to US currency. The 'Groat' is not listed as a subdivision of the penny in this context.
What is the informal name for the cent unit of account in Canada?
Answer: Penny
In Canada, the cent unit of account is informally known as a 'penny'.
What is the informal name for the cent unit of account in Canada, and when did coin production end?
Answer: Penny; 2012
The cent unit of account in Canada is informally known as a 'penny', and the production of one-cent coins officially ceased in 2012.
The phrase 'In for a penny, in for a pound' implies a commitment to a small, easily completed task.
Answer: False
The expression 'In for a penny, in for a pound' signifies a commitment to see an undertaking through to completion, regardless of the effort or cost involved, even if the initial commitment was small.
The 'MegaPenny Project' is a visualization designed to show the exponential growth of pennies.
Answer: True
The 'MegaPenny Project' serves as a visual demonstration of exponential numbers of pennies, illustrating the concept of rapid growth.
In British English, what does the phrase 'to spend a penny' mean?
Answer: To use a public toilet
In British English, 'to spend a penny' is a euphemism for using a public toilet, originating from the cost of using such facilities.
What is the common superstition associated with finding a penny?
Answer: It brings good luck.
In British and American cultures, finding a penny is traditionally considered a sign of good luck, often associated with the saying, 'Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day you'll have good luck.'
What is the meaning of the idiom 'A penny for your thoughts'?
Answer: A way to ask what someone is thinking.
The idiom 'A penny for your thoughts' is a common expression used to inquire about what another person is thinking.
The myth about dropping a penny from the Empire State Building is untrue because:
Answer: The penny is too light and experiences too much air resistance.
The myth is false because a penny, due to its light weight and significant air resistance, reaches terminal velocity at a speed insufficient to cause serious harm or damage.
The phrase 'penny loafers' originated from:
Answer: A style of shoe introduced by G.H. Bass & Co. in 1936.
The term 'penny loafers' emerged in 1936 with the introduction of the 'Weejuns' slip-on shoe by G.H. Bass & Co.
In British English, 'to spend a penny' is a euphemism for purchasing a newspaper.
Answer: False
In British English, 'to spend a penny' is a euphemism for using a public toilet, not for purchasing a newspaper.
The myth that a penny dropped from the Empire State Building could kill a person is factually accurate.
Answer: False
The myth that a penny dropped from the Empire State Building could kill a person is factually inaccurate due to the penny's low mass and significant air resistance, which limit its terminal velocity.
The idiom 'A penny for your thoughts' suggests that the thoughts are worth a significant amount of money.
Answer: False
The idiom 'A penny for your thoughts' is used to inquire about what someone is thinking and does not imply that the thoughts themselves are of significant monetary value.
In British English, what does the phrase 'to spend a penny' mean?
Answer: To use a public toilet
In British English, 'to spend a penny' is a euphemism for using a public toilet, originating from the cost of using such facilities.
What is the common superstition associated with finding a penny?
Answer: It brings good luck.
In British and American cultures, finding a penny is traditionally considered a sign of good luck, often associated with the saying, 'Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day you'll have good luck.'
What is the meaning of the idiom 'A penny for your thoughts'?
Answer: A way to ask what someone is thinking.
The idiom 'A penny for your thoughts' is a common expression used to inquire about what another person is thinking.
The myth about dropping a penny from the Empire State Building is untrue because:
Answer: The penny is too light and experiences too much air resistance.
The myth is false because a penny, due to its light weight and significant air resistance, reaches terminal velocity at a speed insufficient to cause serious harm or damage.
The phrase 'penny loafers' originated from:
Answer: A style of shoe introduced by G.H. Bass & Co. in 1936.
The term 'penny loafers' emerged in 1936 with the introduction of the 'Weejuns' slip-on shoe by G.H. Bass & Co.
The 'transaction costs' associated with handling penny coins can sometimes exceed the value of the penny itself.
Answer: True
The 'transaction costs' related to handling small denominations like pennies, encompassing time and effort, can indeed surpass the intrinsic value of the coin, particularly in micro-transactions.
The 'Cartwheel penny' was nicknamed the 'Devil's Penny' in the Cape Colony due to its association with the devil's trident.
Answer: True
The 'Cartwheel penny' earned the nickname 'Devil's Penny' in the Cape Colony because the trident depicted on it was associated with the devil.
The 'Cartwheel penny' brought to the Cape Colony was nicknamed the 'Devil's Penny' because:
Answer: The trident depicted on it was linked to the devil.
The 'Cartwheel penny' was nicknamed the 'Devil's Penny' in the Cape Colony because the trident featured on the coin was associated with the devil.
The 'transaction costs' associated with handling penny coins refer to:
Answer: The time and effort spent on handling small denominations.
Transaction costs in this context refer to the resources, such as time and labor, expended in the process of handling and counting small-value coins like pennies.
The 'Cartwheel penny' was popular in the Cape Colony due to its convenient size and weight.
Answer: False
The 'Cartwheel penny' was unpopular in the Cape Colony due to its large size and weight, which made it cumbersome for everyday transactions.
The 'transaction costs' associated with handling penny coins refer to:
Answer: The time and effort spent on handling small denominations.
Transaction costs in this context refer to the resources, such as time and labor, expended in the process of handling and counting small-value coins like pennies.