answersLogoWhite

0

The American colonies originally used the so-called Spanish dollar, or eight-real coin, as their primary currency unit. Because smaller denomination didn't circulate, it was common to make change by cutting the coins into halves, quarters, and eighths a bit like slicing a Pizza. The smallest piece (worth 1/8 of a dollar or 1 real) was called a bit in English.

When the US set up its own monetary system in the late 1780s, Thomas Jefferson decided to adopt a decimal (10-based) system with 100 cents to the dollar rather than using fractions of 8. However Spanish dollars continued to circulate alongside American dollars so compatibility between the two systems was important. 100 doesn't divide evenly into eighths so you could no longer spend a single "bit" (1/8 of a dollar) but it does divide evenly by 4. For that reason it was decided to make 25-cent coins that were worth 1/4 of a dollar. Because that's the same as 2/8 of a dollar the coin quickly was called "two bits".

Today most countries that use decimal money systems have 20-cent pieces rather than quarters because that denomination is more consistent with multiples and fractions of 10. However by the time the US stopped using Spanish dollars in 1857, the 25-cent coin was so well established in commerce that it remains the country's "workhorse" coin.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about General History

What is monetary evaluation?

Monetary Evaluation is the process of assessing the final value of the money allocated to a certain activity/project. Get the level of achievement and identify the needs of improvement in future.


Dose the bronze star have monetary value?

Two Answers. A soldier who received the Bronze Star Medal does not receive any monetary award or bonus pay for this medal. The Bronze Star Medal is worth some money. The value depends on the age and if it is engraved with a soldier's name. If a Medal is part of a group of medals earned by a soldier is worth more if the medals are kept together as a group.


What is the value of Confederate money in today's currency?

Confederate money from the Civil War era has no monetary value today. It is considered a historical artifact and is not accepted as legal tender.


What were the goals of the international monetary system founded in the early 1940s?

The goals of the first international monetary system were: the unrestricted conversion of currencies; the establishment of a value for each currency in relation to others; and, the removal of restrictive trade practices.


Is the 1840 version of the star spangled banner have any monetary value?

The Star Spangled Banner was written in 1840 by Francis Scott Key. If you have an original copy of the writing and it is in good condition, it may have monetary value. You would need to take it to someone who appraises such artifacts, or even a collector of such goods. If it is a photocopy however, it will not be worth much at all.