subsidiary coin

American  

noun

1. a coin, especially one made of silver, having a value less than that of the monetary unit.

---

subsidiary coin British  

noun

1. a coin of denomination smaller than that of the standard monetary unit

---

Etymology

Origin of subsidiary coin

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

subsidiary coin

But silver was not in common use except as a subsidiary coin.

From The United States Since the Civil War by Charles Ramsdell Lingley

They were, in fact, a subsidiary coin made on government account, and, from their convenience and necessity, were maintained in circulation.

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

I would also recommend the repeal of the third section of the joint resolution "for the issue of silver coin," approved July 22, 1876, limiting the subsidiary coin and fractional currency to $50,000,000.

From A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents Volume 7, part 1: Ulysses S. Grant by James D. (James Daniel) Richardson

It is in exact accordance with existing law, and leaves the silver coin, as now, a subsidiary coin, a legal tender only for limited amounts.

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

Money, as the term has been used in this book, has been taken to mean gold coin, subsidiary coin, government paper, and for the United States, bank-notes.

From The Value of Money by Benjamin M. Anderson

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---