where did the bitt, like 2 bitts 4 bitts 6 bitts a dollars come from.?

Question

I was the commander of the sons of the american legion for 6 years and still an actctive menber. we had a talk about where the bit come from. Every knew that a bitt was 12/1/2 cents. Where was the origination. I live in texas, thanks for the response.

Answer 1

I believe it's spelled b-i-t. I think it comes from the days of pirates and pieces of eight. Eight pieces, or eight bits, make a dollar.

Answer 2

It's "bit", not "bitt". It came from colonial days when people cut coins into pieces to make change. A bit = 1/8 of a $1 coin, which = 12.5 cents.

Answer 3

Uh. Maybe used to as a refference to bitts of silver or gold? I dunno.