fractional currency

American  

noun

1. coins or paper money of a smaller denomination than the basic monetary unit.

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fractional currency British  

noun

1. paper or metal money of smaller denomination than the standard monetary unit

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Etymology

Origin of fractional currency

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

Now and then, when he could wheedle some fractional currency out of Margaret, he spent it like a crown-prince at The Wee Drop around the corner.

From A Rivermouth Romance by Aldrich, Thomas Bailey

Three of its provisions have been substantially carried into execution by the gradual substitution of fractional coin for fractional currency, by the free coinage of gold, and by free banking.

From Recollections of Forty Years in the House, Senate and Cabinet An Autobiography. by Sherman, John

"Fifty cents on the deuce; 50 cents on the five," said Shorty, laying down the fractional currency.

From Si Klegg, Book 3 (of 6) Si And Shorty Meet Mr. Rosenbaum, The Spy, Who Relates His Adventures by McElroy, John

The half dollar, the quarter dollar, and the dime, for fractional currency, are proportional parts of 385.8 grains of silver nine-tenths fine.

From Rural Health and Welfare by Fairchild, George Thompson

This bill proposes to restore the old silver dollar, and with it and the subsidiary coins of the United States to redeem the United States notes and fractional currency.

From Recollections of Forty Years in the House, Senate and Cabinet An Autobiography. by Sherman, John