Joanna here, talking about … well … money.
‘Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.’
Before 1724
In the change purse of your average Regency housekeeper or light-hearted debutant or even your evil-eyed villain you might find farthings and halfpence, pennies, two pence — all of those in copper. Then the silver coins, which would be four pence, six pence, shilling, eighteen pence, and half crown.
You can see what they look like — that loose copper change and the gold coins that you, as a Regency person, probably wouldn’t have been carrying around in your pocket every day — here.
There is a whole possibility of coins in that purse. When you reached in and pulled one out, maybe the most likely of all would be the humble and fascinating penny.
‘A penny for your thoughts’
Dates to 1546.
The 1800 English penny was a substantial coin, more valuable than our current British penny.
How valuable? Talking the long general period around 1800, a pint of beer or a cup of coffee cost a penny. A one-pound loaf of bread cost penny happence.
A latte at Starbucks, you will have noticed, costs a bit more than a penny, and a London coffee shop threw in the newspapers free. 
‘In for a penny, in for a pound.’
1605
The penny was bigger and heavier than either a US or UK penny today. Current currency (I loved writing that) is ‘token money’. We don’t expect a dime or a quarter to hold ten cents or twenty-five cents worth of silver. Currency in 1800 contained its value in metal. A penny held a penny’s worth of copper. About an ounce.
That means a big, heavy coin. If you decided, in your Eighteenth Century way, to grab a coffee coming home from work, pick up a loaf of bread, some fish, a few veggies and a nice French wine . . . you might find yourself walking around with a half pound of coins in your pouch.
‘Penny wise and pound foolish.’
1605
Here’s a close up view of one 
of those pennies. A George III 1806 penny. I am just going to say that if I looked like George III I would not put my profile on a coin. The reverse shows Britania.
If you click on the picture and have very good eyes you might see that down below Britania’s shield is the word SOHO — where it was minted.
Our Regency purse might contain an earlier minting of the copper penny that had an incised design and a particularly thick rim. These were nicknamed ‘cartwheels’.
These 'cartwheels' were minted over several years but were all stamped 1797, and this is exactly the the sort of thing that makes us cynical about the whole monetary system.
Since there’s so many very thrifty proverbs about pennies . . . What’s your favorite way to be frugal with your pennies?
One lucky commenter will win any of my books they choose.
Once upon a time, when my children were wee ones and the word functioned on actual cash instead of credit cards, my husband used to hate the weight of change in his pockets. Every evening he would dump the change—mostly pennies—and I would put it in an old cookie tin. Once a year I would count it all out, roll it up in those coin holders you got from the bank, turn it in for paper money, and we would all go out for dinner at a real restaurant, the kind with tablecloths.
It was fun. Sort of like winning a lottery.
Once upon a time, when my children were wee ones and the word functioned on actual cash instead of credit cards, my husband used to hate the weight of change in his pockets. Every evening he would dump the change—mostly pennies—and I would put it in an old cookie tin. Once a year I would count it all out, roll it up in those coin holders you got from the bank, turn it in for paper money, and we would all go out for dinner at a real restaurant, the kind with tablecloths.
It was fun. Sort of like winning a lottery.
Once upon a time, when my children were wee ones and the word functioned on actual cash instead of credit cards, my husband used to hate the weight of change in his pockets. Every evening he would dump the change—mostly pennies—and I would put it in an old cookie tin. Once a year I would count it all out, roll it up in those coin holders you got from the bank, turn it in for paper money, and we would all go out for dinner at a real restaurant, the kind with tablecloths.
It was fun. Sort of like winning a lottery.
Once upon a time, when my children were wee ones and the word functioned on actual cash instead of credit cards, my husband used to hate the weight of change in his pockets. Every evening he would dump the change—mostly pennies—and I would put it in an old cookie tin. Once a year I would count it all out, roll it up in those coin holders you got from the bank, turn it in for paper money, and we would all go out for dinner at a real restaurant, the kind with tablecloths.
It was fun. Sort of like winning a lottery.
Once upon a time, when my children were wee ones and the word functioned on actual cash instead of credit cards, my husband used to hate the weight of change in his pockets. Every evening he would dump the change—mostly pennies—and I would put it in an old cookie tin. Once a year I would count it all out, roll it up in those coin holders you got from the bank, turn it in for paper money, and we would all go out for dinner at a real restaurant, the kind with tablecloths.
It was fun. Sort of like winning a lottery.
I remember something a little similar. My father was a physician with a general practice. He used to empty the change out of his pockets into a box.
When the littlest kids had to come in for a booster, he’d let them reach in and pull out a handful of coins — mostly pennies.
I remember something a little similar. My father was a physician with a general practice. He used to empty the change out of his pockets into a box.
When the littlest kids had to come in for a booster, he’d let them reach in and pull out a handful of coins — mostly pennies.
I remember something a little similar. My father was a physician with a general practice. He used to empty the change out of his pockets into a box.
When the littlest kids had to come in for a booster, he’d let them reach in and pull out a handful of coins — mostly pennies.
I remember something a little similar. My father was a physician with a general practice. He used to empty the change out of his pockets into a box.
When the littlest kids had to come in for a booster, he’d let them reach in and pull out a handful of coins — mostly pennies.
I remember something a little similar. My father was a physician with a general practice. He used to empty the change out of his pockets into a box.
When the littlest kids had to come in for a booster, he’d let them reach in and pull out a handful of coins — mostly pennies.
I still empty my wallet of coins, about once a week, and at some later point will roll them up and take to the bank. I find that more satisfying than dumping them in a machine.
I am the only person I know, who will bend down and pick up a penny, when I see one on the ground. My kids chuckle at that.
I still empty my wallet of coins, about once a week, and at some later point will roll them up and take to the bank. I find that more satisfying than dumping them in a machine.
I am the only person I know, who will bend down and pick up a penny, when I see one on the ground. My kids chuckle at that.
I still empty my wallet of coins, about once a week, and at some later point will roll them up and take to the bank. I find that more satisfying than dumping them in a machine.
I am the only person I know, who will bend down and pick up a penny, when I see one on the ground. My kids chuckle at that.
I still empty my wallet of coins, about once a week, and at some later point will roll them up and take to the bank. I find that more satisfying than dumping them in a machine.
I am the only person I know, who will bend down and pick up a penny, when I see one on the ground. My kids chuckle at that.
I still empty my wallet of coins, about once a week, and at some later point will roll them up and take to the bank. I find that more satisfying than dumping them in a machine.
I am the only person I know, who will bend down and pick up a penny, when I see one on the ground. My kids chuckle at that.
I’ve always found it odd that Americans call cents “pennies. We used to have pennies in Australia, but when we changed to a decimal currency system, that was the end of pennies here.
And a few years ago the govt decided that there was so little value in one cent and two cent coins that they abandoned them, so now our smallest coin is a five cent piece.
I’ve always found it odd that Americans call cents “pennies. We used to have pennies in Australia, but when we changed to a decimal currency system, that was the end of pennies here.
And a few years ago the govt decided that there was so little value in one cent and two cent coins that they abandoned them, so now our smallest coin is a five cent piece.
I’ve always found it odd that Americans call cents “pennies. We used to have pennies in Australia, but when we changed to a decimal currency system, that was the end of pennies here.
And a few years ago the govt decided that there was so little value in one cent and two cent coins that they abandoned them, so now our smallest coin is a five cent piece.
I’ve always found it odd that Americans call cents “pennies. We used to have pennies in Australia, but when we changed to a decimal currency system, that was the end of pennies here.
And a few years ago the govt decided that there was so little value in one cent and two cent coins that they abandoned them, so now our smallest coin is a five cent piece.
I’ve always found it odd that Americans call cents “pennies. We used to have pennies in Australia, but when we changed to a decimal currency system, that was the end of pennies here.
And a few years ago the govt decided that there was so little value in one cent and two cent coins that they abandoned them, so now our smallest coin is a five cent piece.
I’ve been sewing lately, after a long hiatus, using pieces of fabric from my stash to make summer frocks for my 5yo. There’s a cost of course, in terms of my time, but I enjoy the process immensely. I love the delight my daughter takes in wearing a dress I’ve made, and since very few actual ‘pennies’ are required to make the frocks – except maybe for buttons/trim/thread – it leaves me feeling very frugal indeed 🙂
Incidentally, the cartwheel penny was the first official currency in Australia, imported in a 4 ton lot in 1800. My stepfather was a numismatist, and had a bunch of them in his collection.
I’ve been sewing lately, after a long hiatus, using pieces of fabric from my stash to make summer frocks for my 5yo. There’s a cost of course, in terms of my time, but I enjoy the process immensely. I love the delight my daughter takes in wearing a dress I’ve made, and since very few actual ‘pennies’ are required to make the frocks – except maybe for buttons/trim/thread – it leaves me feeling very frugal indeed 🙂
Incidentally, the cartwheel penny was the first official currency in Australia, imported in a 4 ton lot in 1800. My stepfather was a numismatist, and had a bunch of them in his collection.
I’ve been sewing lately, after a long hiatus, using pieces of fabric from my stash to make summer frocks for my 5yo. There’s a cost of course, in terms of my time, but I enjoy the process immensely. I love the delight my daughter takes in wearing a dress I’ve made, and since very few actual ‘pennies’ are required to make the frocks – except maybe for buttons/trim/thread – it leaves me feeling very frugal indeed 🙂
Incidentally, the cartwheel penny was the first official currency in Australia, imported in a 4 ton lot in 1800. My stepfather was a numismatist, and had a bunch of them in his collection.
I’ve been sewing lately, after a long hiatus, using pieces of fabric from my stash to make summer frocks for my 5yo. There’s a cost of course, in terms of my time, but I enjoy the process immensely. I love the delight my daughter takes in wearing a dress I’ve made, and since very few actual ‘pennies’ are required to make the frocks – except maybe for buttons/trim/thread – it leaves me feeling very frugal indeed 🙂
Incidentally, the cartwheel penny was the first official currency in Australia, imported in a 4 ton lot in 1800. My stepfather was a numismatist, and had a bunch of them in his collection.
I’ve been sewing lately, after a long hiatus, using pieces of fabric from my stash to make summer frocks for my 5yo. There’s a cost of course, in terms of my time, but I enjoy the process immensely. I love the delight my daughter takes in wearing a dress I’ve made, and since very few actual ‘pennies’ are required to make the frocks – except maybe for buttons/trim/thread – it leaves me feeling very frugal indeed 🙂
Incidentally, the cartwheel penny was the first official currency in Australia, imported in a 4 ton lot in 1800. My stepfather was a numismatist, and had a bunch of them in his collection.
Hi Joanne, I am terrible at saving pennies so i can’t contribute a useful answer to your question, but I did want to ask if you could tell me how many pennies in a shilling and a half crown. Thanks, Laura
Hi Joanne, I am terrible at saving pennies so i can’t contribute a useful answer to your question, but I did want to ask if you could tell me how many pennies in a shilling and a half crown. Thanks, Laura
Hi Joanne, I am terrible at saving pennies so i can’t contribute a useful answer to your question, but I did want to ask if you could tell me how many pennies in a shilling and a half crown. Thanks, Laura
Hi Joanne, I am terrible at saving pennies so i can’t contribute a useful answer to your question, but I did want to ask if you could tell me how many pennies in a shilling and a half crown. Thanks, Laura
Hi Joanne, I am terrible at saving pennies so i can’t contribute a useful answer to your question, but I did want to ask if you could tell me how many pennies in a shilling and a half crown. Thanks, Laura
Instead of always buying stuff, I swap the stuff I no longer need for something I do need. I’ve been able to get quite a few things that way: lots or yarn, DVDs, books… BookMooch is my favourite when it comes to swapping books. There are plenty of out of print books I would have never been able to get otherwise. And ordering them from Amazon would have been way too expensive, because of the overseas postage and packaging and whatever other costs there might be.
Instead of always buying stuff, I swap the stuff I no longer need for something I do need. I’ve been able to get quite a few things that way: lots or yarn, DVDs, books… BookMooch is my favourite when it comes to swapping books. There are plenty of out of print books I would have never been able to get otherwise. And ordering them from Amazon would have been way too expensive, because of the overseas postage and packaging and whatever other costs there might be.
Instead of always buying stuff, I swap the stuff I no longer need for something I do need. I’ve been able to get quite a few things that way: lots or yarn, DVDs, books… BookMooch is my favourite when it comes to swapping books. There are plenty of out of print books I would have never been able to get otherwise. And ordering them from Amazon would have been way too expensive, because of the overseas postage and packaging and whatever other costs there might be.
Instead of always buying stuff, I swap the stuff I no longer need for something I do need. I’ve been able to get quite a few things that way: lots or yarn, DVDs, books… BookMooch is my favourite when it comes to swapping books. There are plenty of out of print books I would have never been able to get otherwise. And ordering them from Amazon would have been way too expensive, because of the overseas postage and packaging and whatever other costs there might be.
Instead of always buying stuff, I swap the stuff I no longer need for something I do need. I’ve been able to get quite a few things that way: lots or yarn, DVDs, books… BookMooch is my favourite when it comes to swapping books. There are plenty of out of print books I would have never been able to get otherwise. And ordering them from Amazon would have been way too expensive, because of the overseas postage and packaging and whatever other costs there might be.
I lived in England for a year as a child, and saved a whole bunch of Victorian-era pennies — there were still plenty in circulation, although most were very worn. Money was still in pounds, shillings and pence at the time, and I must say I found the math more interesting than the boring decimal system at home.
However, a number of years ago someone broke into my house and stole my pennies, alas. I still get sad when I think of that.
I lived in England for a year as a child, and saved a whole bunch of Victorian-era pennies — there were still plenty in circulation, although most were very worn. Money was still in pounds, shillings and pence at the time, and I must say I found the math more interesting than the boring decimal system at home.
However, a number of years ago someone broke into my house and stole my pennies, alas. I still get sad when I think of that.
I lived in England for a year as a child, and saved a whole bunch of Victorian-era pennies — there were still plenty in circulation, although most were very worn. Money was still in pounds, shillings and pence at the time, and I must say I found the math more interesting than the boring decimal system at home.
However, a number of years ago someone broke into my house and stole my pennies, alas. I still get sad when I think of that.
I lived in England for a year as a child, and saved a whole bunch of Victorian-era pennies — there were still plenty in circulation, although most were very worn. Money was still in pounds, shillings and pence at the time, and I must say I found the math more interesting than the boring decimal system at home.
However, a number of years ago someone broke into my house and stole my pennies, alas. I still get sad when I think of that.
I lived in England for a year as a child, and saved a whole bunch of Victorian-era pennies — there were still plenty in circulation, although most were very worn. Money was still in pounds, shillings and pence at the time, and I must say I found the math more interesting than the boring decimal system at home.
However, a number of years ago someone broke into my house and stole my pennies, alas. I still get sad when I think of that.
I have a collection of South African coins, from a penny to a pound, saved by my mother from the year of my birth. The country went decimal in 1961 and the currency became much smaller. My coins are heavy and worth their metal.
I have a collection of South African coins, from a penny to a pound, saved by my mother from the year of my birth. The country went decimal in 1961 and the currency became much smaller. My coins are heavy and worth their metal.
I have a collection of South African coins, from a penny to a pound, saved by my mother from the year of my birth. The country went decimal in 1961 and the currency became much smaller. My coins are heavy and worth their metal.
I have a collection of South African coins, from a penny to a pound, saved by my mother from the year of my birth. The country went decimal in 1961 and the currency became much smaller. My coins are heavy and worth their metal.
I have a collection of South African coins, from a penny to a pound, saved by my mother from the year of my birth. The country went decimal in 1961 and the currency became much smaller. My coins are heavy and worth their metal.
Well, Alison, we don’t actually know each other (except that we obviously have a great taste in the authors we follow!) but I too bend down to pick up pennies (and at 87 that’s something of a trial.
So now we have two things in common (reading and pennies)
Well, Alison, we don’t actually know each other (except that we obviously have a great taste in the authors we follow!) but I too bend down to pick up pennies (and at 87 that’s something of a trial.
So now we have two things in common (reading and pennies)
Well, Alison, we don’t actually know each other (except that we obviously have a great taste in the authors we follow!) but I too bend down to pick up pennies (and at 87 that’s something of a trial.
So now we have two things in common (reading and pennies)
Well, Alison, we don’t actually know each other (except that we obviously have a great taste in the authors we follow!) but I too bend down to pick up pennies (and at 87 that’s something of a trial.
So now we have two things in common (reading and pennies)
Well, Alison, we don’t actually know each other (except that we obviously have a great taste in the authors we follow!) but I too bend down to pick up pennies (and at 87 that’s something of a trial.
So now we have two things in common (reading and pennies)
I was in Yemen and touring a village. A group of like five boys and two little girls offered to show me around. We got to the end of the tour, and they demanded in the nicest possible way that I owed them a tip.
Their mother came out because of the jumping and shouting about some coins. I started to provide the smallest coin I had. And she clucked in that way you know you’re being really stupid.
She made motions that I was to come in. She found a hidden bag, and counted out coins, explaining to me the value of each small piece of copper and silver. She then told me what to give the boys. I said something about the girls, and she snorted, and pulled out the smallest coin.
My feminist and egalitarian soul quailed, but she had been kind. She also told me two other villages that I should see, and they were lovely. I somewhere have the entire collection of coins from smallest to largest, but I’ve no idea where.
I was in Yemen and touring a village. A group of like five boys and two little girls offered to show me around. We got to the end of the tour, and they demanded in the nicest possible way that I owed them a tip.
Their mother came out because of the jumping and shouting about some coins. I started to provide the smallest coin I had. And she clucked in that way you know you’re being really stupid.
She made motions that I was to come in. She found a hidden bag, and counted out coins, explaining to me the value of each small piece of copper and silver. She then told me what to give the boys. I said something about the girls, and she snorted, and pulled out the smallest coin.
My feminist and egalitarian soul quailed, but she had been kind. She also told me two other villages that I should see, and they were lovely. I somewhere have the entire collection of coins from smallest to largest, but I’ve no idea where.
I was in Yemen and touring a village. A group of like five boys and two little girls offered to show me around. We got to the end of the tour, and they demanded in the nicest possible way that I owed them a tip.
Their mother came out because of the jumping and shouting about some coins. I started to provide the smallest coin I had. And she clucked in that way you know you’re being really stupid.
She made motions that I was to come in. She found a hidden bag, and counted out coins, explaining to me the value of each small piece of copper and silver. She then told me what to give the boys. I said something about the girls, and she snorted, and pulled out the smallest coin.
My feminist and egalitarian soul quailed, but she had been kind. She also told me two other villages that I should see, and they were lovely. I somewhere have the entire collection of coins from smallest to largest, but I’ve no idea where.
I was in Yemen and touring a village. A group of like five boys and two little girls offered to show me around. We got to the end of the tour, and they demanded in the nicest possible way that I owed them a tip.
Their mother came out because of the jumping and shouting about some coins. I started to provide the smallest coin I had. And she clucked in that way you know you’re being really stupid.
She made motions that I was to come in. She found a hidden bag, and counted out coins, explaining to me the value of each small piece of copper and silver. She then told me what to give the boys. I said something about the girls, and she snorted, and pulled out the smallest coin.
My feminist and egalitarian soul quailed, but she had been kind. She also told me two other villages that I should see, and they were lovely. I somewhere have the entire collection of coins from smallest to largest, but I’ve no idea where.
I was in Yemen and touring a village. A group of like five boys and two little girls offered to show me around. We got to the end of the tour, and they demanded in the nicest possible way that I owed them a tip.
Their mother came out because of the jumping and shouting about some coins. I started to provide the smallest coin I had. And she clucked in that way you know you’re being really stupid.
She made motions that I was to come in. She found a hidden bag, and counted out coins, explaining to me the value of each small piece of copper and silver. She then told me what to give the boys. I said something about the girls, and she snorted, and pulled out the smallest coin.
My feminist and egalitarian soul quailed, but she had been kind. She also told me two other villages that I should see, and they were lovely. I somewhere have the entire collection of coins from smallest to largest, but I’ve no idea where.
“Find a penny,
pick it up,
and all the day
you’ll have good luck.”
I always feel immensely pleased with myself when I pick up a lost penny. Yes. I’m superstitious. Yes. I expect to have a lucky day.
“Find a penny,
pick it up,
and all the day
you’ll have good luck.”
I always feel immensely pleased with myself when I pick up a lost penny. Yes. I’m superstitious. Yes. I expect to have a lucky day.
“Find a penny,
pick it up,
and all the day
you’ll have good luck.”
I always feel immensely pleased with myself when I pick up a lost penny. Yes. I’m superstitious. Yes. I expect to have a lucky day.
“Find a penny,
pick it up,
and all the day
you’ll have good luck.”
I always feel immensely pleased with myself when I pick up a lost penny. Yes. I’m superstitious. Yes. I expect to have a lucky day.
“Find a penny,
pick it up,
and all the day
you’ll have good luck.”
I always feel immensely pleased with myself when I pick up a lost penny. Yes. I’m superstitious. Yes. I expect to have a lucky day.
In the US we’ll probably dispense with penny coins sometime soon. They’re worth more in copper than their value in the marketplace.
Many small shops have a little cup of coins next to the cash register.
If you get pennies in change — you leave them in the cup.
If you need pennies — the clerk will scoop them out of the cup.
In the US we’ll probably dispense with penny coins sometime soon. They’re worth more in copper than their value in the marketplace.
Many small shops have a little cup of coins next to the cash register.
If you get pennies in change — you leave them in the cup.
If you need pennies — the clerk will scoop them out of the cup.
In the US we’ll probably dispense with penny coins sometime soon. They’re worth more in copper than their value in the marketplace.
Many small shops have a little cup of coins next to the cash register.
If you get pennies in change — you leave them in the cup.
If you need pennies — the clerk will scoop them out of the cup.
In the US we’ll probably dispense with penny coins sometime soon. They’re worth more in copper than their value in the marketplace.
Many small shops have a little cup of coins next to the cash register.
If you get pennies in change — you leave them in the cup.
If you need pennies — the clerk will scoop them out of the cup.
In the US we’ll probably dispense with penny coins sometime soon. They’re worth more in copper than their value in the marketplace.
Many small shops have a little cup of coins next to the cash register.
If you get pennies in change — you leave them in the cup.
If you need pennies — the clerk will scoop them out of the cup.
Did you find the cartwheels heavy? I try to get a sensory experience of how much they weighed. Sixteen — a large handful — would have been a pound.
And the twopence were two ounces of copper, making them the largest coins minted in UK. Six in your hand were a pound.
Did you find the cartwheels heavy? I try to get a sensory experience of how much they weighed. Sixteen — a large handful — would have been a pound.
And the twopence were two ounces of copper, making them the largest coins minted in UK. Six in your hand were a pound.
Did you find the cartwheels heavy? I try to get a sensory experience of how much they weighed. Sixteen — a large handful — would have been a pound.
And the twopence were two ounces of copper, making them the largest coins minted in UK. Six in your hand were a pound.
Did you find the cartwheels heavy? I try to get a sensory experience of how much they weighed. Sixteen — a large handful — would have been a pound.
And the twopence were two ounces of copper, making them the largest coins minted in UK. Six in your hand were a pound.
Did you find the cartwheels heavy? I try to get a sensory experience of how much they weighed. Sixteen — a large handful — would have been a pound.
And the twopence were two ounces of copper, making them the largest coins minted in UK. Six in your hand were a pound.
A pound was 240 pennies.
This was set by the relative value of silver and copper.
There were 20 shillings in a pound.
Twelve pennies to a shilling.
Two shillings and sixpence makes a halfcrown.
This was all so pre-decimal.
I love the sound and the concept, but it must have been the devil to do accounts.
A pound was 240 pennies.
This was set by the relative value of silver and copper.
There were 20 shillings in a pound.
Twelve pennies to a shilling.
Two shillings and sixpence makes a halfcrown.
This was all so pre-decimal.
I love the sound and the concept, but it must have been the devil to do accounts.
A pound was 240 pennies.
This was set by the relative value of silver and copper.
There were 20 shillings in a pound.
Twelve pennies to a shilling.
Two shillings and sixpence makes a halfcrown.
This was all so pre-decimal.
I love the sound and the concept, but it must have been the devil to do accounts.
A pound was 240 pennies.
This was set by the relative value of silver and copper.
There were 20 shillings in a pound.
Twelve pennies to a shilling.
Two shillings and sixpence makes a halfcrown.
This was all so pre-decimal.
I love the sound and the concept, but it must have been the devil to do accounts.
A pound was 240 pennies.
This was set by the relative value of silver and copper.
There were 20 shillings in a pound.
Twelve pennies to a shilling.
Two shillings and sixpence makes a halfcrown.
This was all so pre-decimal.
I love the sound and the concept, but it must have been the devil to do accounts.
I have used BookSwap in the past. I’m going to look into BookMooch.
I wish I had some hand-skill that I could trade for stuff. I’m hopeless with that kinda thing.
I have used BookSwap in the past. I’m going to look into BookMooch.
I wish I had some hand-skill that I could trade for stuff. I’m hopeless with that kinda thing.
I have used BookSwap in the past. I’m going to look into BookMooch.
I wish I had some hand-skill that I could trade for stuff. I’m hopeless with that kinda thing.
I have used BookSwap in the past. I’m going to look into BookMooch.
I wish I had some hand-skill that I could trade for stuff. I’m hopeless with that kinda thing.
I have used BookSwap in the past. I’m going to look into BookMooch.
I wish I had some hand-skill that I could trade for stuff. I’m hopeless with that kinda thing.
Hi Barbara —
We get fond of some material possessions. Not the grandest and most beautiful and expensive. It’s just this book or that old jumper or a collection of pennies from our childhood.
Infuriating and traumatic when we lose it. I once sat down on the floor and cried when a Barbara Vernon bunny porringer broke.
Hi Barbara —
We get fond of some material possessions. Not the grandest and most beautiful and expensive. It’s just this book or that old jumper or a collection of pennies from our childhood.
Infuriating and traumatic when we lose it. I once sat down on the floor and cried when a Barbara Vernon bunny porringer broke.
Hi Barbara —
We get fond of some material possessions. Not the grandest and most beautiful and expensive. It’s just this book or that old jumper or a collection of pennies from our childhood.
Infuriating and traumatic when we lose it. I once sat down on the floor and cried when a Barbara Vernon bunny porringer broke.
Hi Barbara —
We get fond of some material possessions. Not the grandest and most beautiful and expensive. It’s just this book or that old jumper or a collection of pennies from our childhood.
Infuriating and traumatic when we lose it. I once sat down on the floor and cried when a Barbara Vernon bunny porringer broke.
Hi Barbara —
We get fond of some material possessions. Not the grandest and most beautiful and expensive. It’s just this book or that old jumper or a collection of pennies from our childhood.
Infuriating and traumatic when we lose it. I once sat down on the floor and cried when a Barbara Vernon bunny porringer broke.
Exactly. The idea of coins that held their value in metal is emotionally appealing. Part of me wants the thrill of real gold.
But it means carrying heavy coin in yer pocket. The silver or gold that equals a week’s worth of family shopping in not just a light jingle’s worth of heavy.
And in 1800, most people wouldn’t have been carrying bank notes.
Exactly. The idea of coins that held their value in metal is emotionally appealing. Part of me wants the thrill of real gold.
But it means carrying heavy coin in yer pocket. The silver or gold that equals a week’s worth of family shopping in not just a light jingle’s worth of heavy.
And in 1800, most people wouldn’t have been carrying bank notes.
Exactly. The idea of coins that held their value in metal is emotionally appealing. Part of me wants the thrill of real gold.
But it means carrying heavy coin in yer pocket. The silver or gold that equals a week’s worth of family shopping in not just a light jingle’s worth of heavy.
And in 1800, most people wouldn’t have been carrying bank notes.
Exactly. The idea of coins that held their value in metal is emotionally appealing. Part of me wants the thrill of real gold.
But it means carrying heavy coin in yer pocket. The silver or gold that equals a week’s worth of family shopping in not just a light jingle’s worth of heavy.
And in 1800, most people wouldn’t have been carrying bank notes.
Exactly. The idea of coins that held their value in metal is emotionally appealing. Part of me wants the thrill of real gold.
But it means carrying heavy coin in yer pocket. The silver or gold that equals a week’s worth of family shopping in not just a light jingle’s worth of heavy.
And in 1800, most people wouldn’t have been carrying bank notes.
That is so wonderful. A memory most people will never have. You are so lucky.
That is so wonderful. A memory most people will never have. You are so lucky.
That is so wonderful. A memory most people will never have. You are so lucky.
That is so wonderful. A memory most people will never have. You are so lucky.
That is so wonderful. A memory most people will never have. You are so lucky.
Yes, the cartwheels were heavy. It was hard to take them seriously as money. I can’t imagine carrying them around. They seemed more like some kind of medallion.
At the other end of the spectrum was the crooked sixpence (from the 16th or 17th century?) that my stepfather gave to my mother as an “engagement ring”. It was/is extremely light and thin, and bent in a kind of ‘z’ shape. My stepfather had the sixpence mounted (the mount was a ring of very thin, twisted wire, with tiny claws to hold the edges of the coin) so that my mother could wear the sixpence as a necklace. Apparently, the sixpence would have been originally ‘bent’ at the time it was in currency, as a pledge/gift of betrothal from a man to a woman.
Yes, the cartwheels were heavy. It was hard to take them seriously as money. I can’t imagine carrying them around. They seemed more like some kind of medallion.
At the other end of the spectrum was the crooked sixpence (from the 16th or 17th century?) that my stepfather gave to my mother as an “engagement ring”. It was/is extremely light and thin, and bent in a kind of ‘z’ shape. My stepfather had the sixpence mounted (the mount was a ring of very thin, twisted wire, with tiny claws to hold the edges of the coin) so that my mother could wear the sixpence as a necklace. Apparently, the sixpence would have been originally ‘bent’ at the time it was in currency, as a pledge/gift of betrothal from a man to a woman.
Yes, the cartwheels were heavy. It was hard to take them seriously as money. I can’t imagine carrying them around. They seemed more like some kind of medallion.
At the other end of the spectrum was the crooked sixpence (from the 16th or 17th century?) that my stepfather gave to my mother as an “engagement ring”. It was/is extremely light and thin, and bent in a kind of ‘z’ shape. My stepfather had the sixpence mounted (the mount was a ring of very thin, twisted wire, with tiny claws to hold the edges of the coin) so that my mother could wear the sixpence as a necklace. Apparently, the sixpence would have been originally ‘bent’ at the time it was in currency, as a pledge/gift of betrothal from a man to a woman.
Yes, the cartwheels were heavy. It was hard to take them seriously as money. I can’t imagine carrying them around. They seemed more like some kind of medallion.
At the other end of the spectrum was the crooked sixpence (from the 16th or 17th century?) that my stepfather gave to my mother as an “engagement ring”. It was/is extremely light and thin, and bent in a kind of ‘z’ shape. My stepfather had the sixpence mounted (the mount was a ring of very thin, twisted wire, with tiny claws to hold the edges of the coin) so that my mother could wear the sixpence as a necklace. Apparently, the sixpence would have been originally ‘bent’ at the time it was in currency, as a pledge/gift of betrothal from a man to a woman.
Yes, the cartwheels were heavy. It was hard to take them seriously as money. I can’t imagine carrying them around. They seemed more like some kind of medallion.
At the other end of the spectrum was the crooked sixpence (from the 16th or 17th century?) that my stepfather gave to my mother as an “engagement ring”. It was/is extremely light and thin, and bent in a kind of ‘z’ shape. My stepfather had the sixpence mounted (the mount was a ring of very thin, twisted wire, with tiny claws to hold the edges of the coin) so that my mother could wear the sixpence as a necklace. Apparently, the sixpence would have been originally ‘bent’ at the time it was in currency, as a pledge/gift of betrothal from a man to a woman.
My favorite saying is, ” A penny saved is a penny earned” was that Ben Franklin ?
My favorite saying is, ” A penny saved is a penny earned” was that Ben Franklin ?
My favorite saying is, ” A penny saved is a penny earned” was that Ben Franklin ?
My favorite saying is, ” A penny saved is a penny earned” was that Ben Franklin ?
My favorite saying is, ” A penny saved is a penny earned” was that Ben Franklin ?
That’s where it’s attributed. To Franklin. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear he picked it up from old country quotes.
That’s where it’s attributed. To Franklin. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear he picked it up from old country quotes.
That’s where it’s attributed. To Franklin. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear he picked it up from old country quotes.
That’s where it’s attributed. To Franklin. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear he picked it up from old country quotes.
That’s where it’s attributed. To Franklin. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear he picked it up from old country quotes.
That is so sweet and so Romantic.
For anybody who wants to read about this custom … it’s talked about here:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/07/a-reprise-the-crooked-sixpence-love-token/
That is so sweet and so Romantic.
For anybody who wants to read about this custom … it’s talked about here:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/07/a-reprise-the-crooked-sixpence-love-token/
That is so sweet and so Romantic.
For anybody who wants to read about this custom … it’s talked about here:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/07/a-reprise-the-crooked-sixpence-love-token/
That is so sweet and so Romantic.
For anybody who wants to read about this custom … it’s talked about here:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/07/a-reprise-the-crooked-sixpence-love-token/
That is so sweet and so Romantic.
For anybody who wants to read about this custom … it’s talked about here:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/07/a-reprise-the-crooked-sixpence-love-token/
I love old coins! It’s on my never ending ‘todo’ list to sort out all the old coins my Dad saved over the years. I suppose one of these days it will all be electronic money and we won’t use coins anymore.
I love old coins! It’s on my never ending ‘todo’ list to sort out all the old coins my Dad saved over the years. I suppose one of these days it will all be electronic money and we won’t use coins anymore.
I love old coins! It’s on my never ending ‘todo’ list to sort out all the old coins my Dad saved over the years. I suppose one of these days it will all be electronic money and we won’t use coins anymore.
I love old coins! It’s on my never ending ‘todo’ list to sort out all the old coins my Dad saved over the years. I suppose one of these days it will all be electronic money and we won’t use coins anymore.
I love old coins! It’s on my never ending ‘todo’ list to sort out all the old coins my Dad saved over the years. I suppose one of these days it will all be electronic money and we won’t use coins anymore.
Great and illuminating site. Thanks for linking to my blog. This may also interest you:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/08/the-gynaecological-hammered-penny/
Great and illuminating site. Thanks for linking to my blog. This may also interest you:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/08/the-gynaecological-hammered-penny/
Great and illuminating site. Thanks for linking to my blog. This may also interest you:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/08/the-gynaecological-hammered-penny/
Great and illuminating site. Thanks for linking to my blog. This may also interest you:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/08/the-gynaecological-hammered-penny/
Great and illuminating site. Thanks for linking to my blog. This may also interest you:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/08/the-gynaecological-hammered-penny/
If you’re into creative recycling, those endangered pennies make good curtain weights. Sew them into the corners to make the curtains hang straight.
(Everything has more than one use.)
If you’re into creative recycling, those endangered pennies make good curtain weights. Sew them into the corners to make the curtains hang straight.
(Everything has more than one use.)
If you’re into creative recycling, those endangered pennies make good curtain weights. Sew them into the corners to make the curtains hang straight.
(Everything has more than one use.)
If you’re into creative recycling, those endangered pennies make good curtain weights. Sew them into the corners to make the curtains hang straight.
(Everything has more than one use.)
If you’re into creative recycling, those endangered pennies make good curtain weights. Sew them into the corners to make the curtains hang straight.
(Everything has more than one use.)
And somebody, someday, might find those curtains and the pennies and be charmed and delighted by them.
And somebody, someday, might find those curtains and the pennies and be charmed and delighted by them.
And somebody, someday, might find those curtains and the pennies and be charmed and delighted by them.
And somebody, someday, might find those curtains and the pennies and be charmed and delighted by them.
And somebody, someday, might find those curtains and the pennies and be charmed and delighted by them.
Maybe there’ll be some cousin or grandchild who collects coins for a while and will be delighted to get a box of fascinating old coins. There’s an age — ten or twelve — when we just love collecting things.
Maybe there’ll be some cousin or grandchild who collects coins for a while and will be delighted to get a box of fascinating old coins. There’s an age — ten or twelve — when we just love collecting things.
Maybe there’ll be some cousin or grandchild who collects coins for a while and will be delighted to get a box of fascinating old coins. There’s an age — ten or twelve — when we just love collecting things.
Maybe there’ll be some cousin or grandchild who collects coins for a while and will be delighted to get a box of fascinating old coins. There’s an age — ten or twelve — when we just love collecting things.
Maybe there’ll be some cousin or grandchild who collects coins for a while and will be delighted to get a box of fascinating old coins. There’s an age — ten or twelve — when we just love collecting things.
loved your collection of the coins available.
loved your collection of the coins available.
loved your collection of the coins available.
loved your collection of the coins available.
loved your collection of the coins available.
Actually, I hate carrying around change as it really weighs down my purse. So I have a bag at home in which I throw all of the change I get and at the end of the month I go down to the bank and get paper notes. It’s always cool and a surprise to see how much it’s worth, and my biggest haul so far has been around the $115 mark.
Actually, I hate carrying around change as it really weighs down my purse. So I have a bag at home in which I throw all of the change I get and at the end of the month I go down to the bank and get paper notes. It’s always cool and a surprise to see how much it’s worth, and my biggest haul so far has been around the $115 mark.
Actually, I hate carrying around change as it really weighs down my purse. So I have a bag at home in which I throw all of the change I get and at the end of the month I go down to the bank and get paper notes. It’s always cool and a surprise to see how much it’s worth, and my biggest haul so far has been around the $115 mark.
Actually, I hate carrying around change as it really weighs down my purse. So I have a bag at home in which I throw all of the change I get and at the end of the month I go down to the bank and get paper notes. It’s always cool and a surprise to see how much it’s worth, and my biggest haul so far has been around the $115 mark.
Actually, I hate carrying around change as it really weighs down my purse. So I have a bag at home in which I throw all of the change I get and at the end of the month I go down to the bank and get paper notes. It’s always cool and a surprise to see how much it’s worth, and my biggest haul so far has been around the $115 mark.
Hammered pennies are no use as curtain weights … they are too light. Detectorists find trade, loom and curtain weights etcetera anyway.
Read about real recycling. Instead of buying modern imitations, Sarah uses spindle whorls kindly donated by detectorists. See here:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/10/sarah-the-spinner-and-the-spindle-whorl/
Hammered pennies are no use as curtain weights … they are too light. Detectorists find trade, loom and curtain weights etcetera anyway.
Read about real recycling. Instead of buying modern imitations, Sarah uses spindle whorls kindly donated by detectorists. See here:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/10/sarah-the-spinner-and-the-spindle-whorl/
Hammered pennies are no use as curtain weights … they are too light. Detectorists find trade, loom and curtain weights etcetera anyway.
Read about real recycling. Instead of buying modern imitations, Sarah uses spindle whorls kindly donated by detectorists. See here:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/10/sarah-the-spinner-and-the-spindle-whorl/
Hammered pennies are no use as curtain weights … they are too light. Detectorists find trade, loom and curtain weights etcetera anyway.
Read about real recycling. Instead of buying modern imitations, Sarah uses spindle whorls kindly donated by detectorists. See here:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/10/sarah-the-spinner-and-the-spindle-whorl/
Hammered pennies are no use as curtain weights … they are too light. Detectorists find trade, loom and curtain weights etcetera anyway.
Read about real recycling. Instead of buying modern imitations, Sarah uses spindle whorls kindly donated by detectorists. See here:
http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2014/10/sarah-the-spinner-and-the-spindle-whorl/
Cool. I just keep all the spare change in my little purse. Then some poor storeclerk has to wait while I count out exact change in front of her.
They probably hide when they see me coming.
Cool. I just keep all the spare change in my little purse. Then some poor storeclerk has to wait while I count out exact change in front of her.
They probably hide when they see me coming.
Cool. I just keep all the spare change in my little purse. Then some poor storeclerk has to wait while I count out exact change in front of her.
They probably hide when they see me coming.
Cool. I just keep all the spare change in my little purse. Then some poor storeclerk has to wait while I count out exact change in front of her.
They probably hide when they see me coming.
Cool. I just keep all the spare change in my little purse. Then some poor storeclerk has to wait while I count out exact change in front of her.
They probably hide when they see me coming.
I’ve been to Yemen too, and the funny thing is that well into the 20th century, I don’t believe they had their own currency, and they often used these big silver coins minted by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, slightly larger than U.S. silver dollars. They were called “Maria Theresa thalers” because she was on the face of the coin. People stashed them away in their nest eggs, and to this day they still come into circulation occasionally, and you’ll see them for sale at jewelry and antiquity shops in Yemen. I have one I kept as a souvenir.
And yes, the children are quite entrepreneurial. I never saw them beg, but they will do anything from selling flowers on the side of the road, to tour guide to washing your car.
I’ve been to Yemen too, and the funny thing is that well into the 20th century, I don’t believe they had their own currency, and they often used these big silver coins minted by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, slightly larger than U.S. silver dollars. They were called “Maria Theresa thalers” because she was on the face of the coin. People stashed them away in their nest eggs, and to this day they still come into circulation occasionally, and you’ll see them for sale at jewelry and antiquity shops in Yemen. I have one I kept as a souvenir.
And yes, the children are quite entrepreneurial. I never saw them beg, but they will do anything from selling flowers on the side of the road, to tour guide to washing your car.
I’ve been to Yemen too, and the funny thing is that well into the 20th century, I don’t believe they had their own currency, and they often used these big silver coins minted by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, slightly larger than U.S. silver dollars. They were called “Maria Theresa thalers” because she was on the face of the coin. People stashed them away in their nest eggs, and to this day they still come into circulation occasionally, and you’ll see them for sale at jewelry and antiquity shops in Yemen. I have one I kept as a souvenir.
And yes, the children are quite entrepreneurial. I never saw them beg, but they will do anything from selling flowers on the side of the road, to tour guide to washing your car.
I’ve been to Yemen too, and the funny thing is that well into the 20th century, I don’t believe they had their own currency, and they often used these big silver coins minted by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, slightly larger than U.S. silver dollars. They were called “Maria Theresa thalers” because she was on the face of the coin. People stashed them away in their nest eggs, and to this day they still come into circulation occasionally, and you’ll see them for sale at jewelry and antiquity shops in Yemen. I have one I kept as a souvenir.
And yes, the children are quite entrepreneurial. I never saw them beg, but they will do anything from selling flowers on the side of the road, to tour guide to washing your car.
I’ve been to Yemen too, and the funny thing is that well into the 20th century, I don’t believe they had their own currency, and they often used these big silver coins minted by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, slightly larger than U.S. silver dollars. They were called “Maria Theresa thalers” because she was on the face of the coin. People stashed them away in their nest eggs, and to this day they still come into circulation occasionally, and you’ll see them for sale at jewelry and antiquity shops in Yemen. I have one I kept as a souvenir.
And yes, the children are quite entrepreneurial. I never saw them beg, but they will do anything from selling flowers on the side of the road, to tour guide to washing your car.
I’m most frugal with food, and I very rarely throw away even a bite. It might be a stir fry, a quiche a salad, or a frittata, but somehow I find a way to use the leftovers.
P.S. you can leave me out of the contest, I already have all of Joanna’s books!
I’m most frugal with food, and I very rarely throw away even a bite. It might be a stir fry, a quiche a salad, or a frittata, but somehow I find a way to use the leftovers.
P.S. you can leave me out of the contest, I already have all of Joanna’s books!
I’m most frugal with food, and I very rarely throw away even a bite. It might be a stir fry, a quiche a salad, or a frittata, but somehow I find a way to use the leftovers.
P.S. you can leave me out of the contest, I already have all of Joanna’s books!
I’m most frugal with food, and I very rarely throw away even a bite. It might be a stir fry, a quiche a salad, or a frittata, but somehow I find a way to use the leftovers.
P.S. you can leave me out of the contest, I already have all of Joanna’s books!
I’m most frugal with food, and I very rarely throw away even a bite. It might be a stir fry, a quiche a salad, or a frittata, but somehow I find a way to use the leftovers.
P.S. you can leave me out of the contest, I already have all of Joanna’s books!
There are so many trendy meals that are really just frugal, old-fashioned, ‘let’s use up everything in the kitchen’ cooking.
When I make the latest ‘heart-healthy’ barley-and-carrot soup I can almost feel my grandmother leaning over my shoulder saying, “That looks familiar’.
There are so many trendy meals that are really just frugal, old-fashioned, ‘let’s use up everything in the kitchen’ cooking.
When I make the latest ‘heart-healthy’ barley-and-carrot soup I can almost feel my grandmother leaning over my shoulder saying, “That looks familiar’.
There are so many trendy meals that are really just frugal, old-fashioned, ‘let’s use up everything in the kitchen’ cooking.
When I make the latest ‘heart-healthy’ barley-and-carrot soup I can almost feel my grandmother leaning over my shoulder saying, “That looks familiar’.
There are so many trendy meals that are really just frugal, old-fashioned, ‘let’s use up everything in the kitchen’ cooking.
When I make the latest ‘heart-healthy’ barley-and-carrot soup I can almost feel my grandmother leaning over my shoulder saying, “That looks familiar’.
There are so many trendy meals that are really just frugal, old-fashioned, ‘let’s use up everything in the kitchen’ cooking.
When I make the latest ‘heart-healthy’ barley-and-carrot soup I can almost feel my grandmother leaning over my shoulder saying, “That looks familiar’.