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Two.
An Explanation:
When the US became independent there were no official US Coins. Colonists had been using a combination of old British and Spanish coins in daily commerce. One of the most common coins was the Spanish 8-reale coin, also known as a "Spanish dollar" or, yes, "piece of eight"! However individual reale coins themselves didn't circulate in the colonies which caused problems when smaller denominations were needed for making change. The colonists adapted by actually chopping Spanish dollars like Pizza slices to create 4-, 2- and 1-reale chunks that became known as "bits".
When Thomas Jefferson designed a coinage system for the new US, he wanted it to be compatible with coins already in use so he proposed that the new American dollar have the same size and value as the Spanish dollar coin.
At the same time he wanted a decimal system based on multiples of 5 and 10, which didn't quite match the 2/4/8 ratios used in Spanish coins. Half-dollars matched 4 bits (half of a Spanish dollar) exactly, and dimes (1/10) were worth close enough to 1-bit pieces (1/8), but what about those 2-bit pieces?
Two-bit pieces were one of the most common small-denomination "coins" in daily use. Even though a 20-cent coin would have been the reasonable choice in a purely decimal system, its value wasn't close enough to the 2-bit piece to be a reasonable replacement. Jefferson and the coinage committee were forced to compromise on a 25-cent coin that matched exactly.
Thus like the 1-cent coin that retains the name of its British 1-penny ancestor, the quarter keeps the nickname of the Spanish piece it replaced - two bits.
What else can I help you with?
How many bits are in a dollar?
eight bits are in a dollar
Why is the American quarter money called 2 bits?
The term "two bits" for a quarter originates from the Spanish dollar, or "pieces of eight," which was widely used in colonial America. The dollar was subdivided into eight "bits," so a quarter of a dollar was referred to as "two bits." This colloquialism persisted even after the U.S. established its own currency system, and it remains a part of American vernacular today.
Why is two bits a quarter?
"Two bits" is a colloquial term that originates from the practice of dividing a Spanish dollar, or "piece of eight," into eight bits. Since a quarter dollar is equivalent to two bits, this expression became widely used in American slang to refer to 25 cents. The term reflects the historical significance of the Spanish dollar in early American commerce and currency.
What does two bits in mean in the 1920s?
its means a quarter
How many eights make a three quarters?
two eights make one quarter so it takes threes times as many to make three quarters. So, 6 eights make three quarters. ( A eighth of a dollar is called a bit so 2 bits is a quarter and 6 bits is 75 cents. There is an old song that ends with "Shave and a haircut - six bits.)
How many bits are in a quarter of a dollar?
two bits are in a quarter of a dollar
How many bits in a half dollar?
There's actually a great place to stay called the Park City Mountain Resort. They cater to families, but have a lot of fun things for adults to do on their own as well.
How many bits are in a dollar?
eight bits are in a dollar
How many bits in a dollar?
eight bits are in a dollar
Why is the American quarter money called 2 bits?
The term "two bits" for a quarter originates from the Spanish dollar, or "pieces of eight," which was widely used in colonial America. The dollar was subdivided into eight "bits," so a quarter of a dollar was referred to as "two bits." This colloquialism persisted even after the U.S. established its own currency system, and it remains a part of American vernacular today.
How much money is two bits?
A 'bit' is 1/8 of a dollar or about 12 cents. Two 'bits' is about a quarter.
What does the phrasetwo bits mean?
A bit is an eighth of a dollar, but in this sense it is never used in the singular. Two bits is a quarter.
Why is two bits a quarter?
"Two bits" is a colloquial term that originates from the practice of dividing a Spanish dollar, or "piece of eight," into eight bits. Since a quarter dollar is equivalent to two bits, this expression became widely used in American slang to refer to 25 cents. The term reflects the historical significance of the Spanish dollar in early American commerce and currency.
What does two bits in mean in the 1920s?
its means a quarter
How many bits in a 1 dollar?
8 bits
How did the US quarter get its name?
As shown on the bottom reverse, it is a "quarter dollar" which is 1/4 of a dollar comprised of 100 cents (25 cents). The slang term "two bits" comes from the Spanish Dollar silver coins, which were each worth 8 reales (pieces of eight)...where one-fourth of that 'dollar' was 2 reales (bits).
What is another name for the American dollar?
* buck * 8 bits (8 bits equals 1.00, each quarter is 2 bits, or each bit is 12.5 cents) * ** (For more info, see related question about "bit" - not to be confused with "quarter".) * greenback
