standard money

noun

1. money made of a metal that has utility and value apart from its use as a unit of monetary exchange.

Word History and Origins

Origin of standard money¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

The silver shekel was the standard money of the Phœnicians, and was worth about 2s.

From Project Gutenberg

Standard money is particularly desirable in bank and government reserves.

From Project Gutenberg

A high premium on small coins, apart from redemption in standard money, may easily arise from the money-use alone.

From Project Gutenberg

It is true that credit instruments are commonly drawn in terms of standard money, which is commonly gold.

From Project Gutenberg

Why are gold and silver, and particularly gold, the standard money of the great part of the world to-day?

From Project Gutenberg