From Latin 'cuneus' (wedge) via French — named for the wedge-shaped die used to stamp it, same root as 'cuneiform.'
Definition
A flat, typically round piece of metal stamped with an official design, used as money.
The Full Story
Latin14th centurywell-attested
From Middle English 'coyne,' from Old French 'coigne' meaning 'wedge, cornerstone, die for stamping,' from Latin 'cuneus' meaning 'wedge.' The semantic development runs from 'wedge' (a tool for splitting and shaping) to 'die' (the wedge-shaped stamp used to impress designs on metal blanks) to 'the piece of metal so stamped.' The wordwas thus named for the minting tool
Did you know?
Theword 'coin' and the word 'cuneiform' share the same Latin root 'cuneus' (wedge). Cuneiform script was made by pressing a wedge-shaped stylus into clay, while coins were made by striking metal with a wedge-shaped die — two completely different civilizations using wedge technology for completely different purposes, both remembered in the same root word.
reeds). The verb 'to coin' meaning 'to invent a new word' arose in the 16th century — the metaphor of stamping a fresh impression onto metal was transferred to stamping a fresh meaning onto language. English also has 'quoin' (a cornerstone or wedge), a doublet of 'coin' preserving the original architectural sense from the same Old French source. Key roots: cuneus (Latin: "wedge").