2006-09-18 17:22:37 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Alexander Hamilton, the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, recommended the issuance of six such coins in 1791. Among the six was a silver coin, "which shall be, in weight and value, one tenth part of a silver unit or dollar." His suggested name for the new coin was a "tenth." Such coin was later called dime deriving from the French disme (modern French spelling dîme), meaning "tithe" or "tenth part," from the Latin decima [pars].
The term "nickel" to a coin actually precedes the usage of five-cent pieces made from nickel alloy. The term was originally applied to the Indian cent coin from 1859–1864 which was composed of copper-nickel which was referred to as "nickels" or "nicks". When the three-cent nickel came onto the scene in 1865, these were the new "nickels" to the common person on the street.
2006-09-18 22:45:27 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ lani s 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nickels are made, in part, out of nickel.
Dime comes from Latin "decem" meaning ten, by way of Middle English and French.
2006-09-19 00:26:21 · answer #2 · answered by banjuja58 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i guess it would sound better to say five cent pieces fer th nickel ,i think its even sounds shorter lets see nickel -five cent peces.dime lets see 10 cent pecies. huh im not sure ..i guess there is a better explenation i just dont know what.
2006-09-19 00:32:39 · answer #3 · answered by deerolmind 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the names sound cool.
2006-09-19 22:38:20 · answer #4 · answered by Sonya 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because if they were called Pence & Quid they'd be English.
2006-09-19 00:38:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
they got it from a couple of dudes named nicky and dimwit. both are my neighbors.
2006-09-19 00:31:39 · answer #6 · answered by FinancialPanes 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they are.
2006-09-19 00:23:34 · answer #7 · answered by prayinfroggy 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why ask why. just know that it is.
2006-09-19 00:26:15 · answer #8 · answered by sweetgurl13069 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
quarters and pennys are taken..
2006-09-19 00:24:23 · answer #9 · answered by snoogans 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋