Etymology Map
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Coin

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a flat metal piece used as money

Where does the word "coin" come from? It comes from Latin cuneus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
cuneus
Latin · ancient
"wedge"
the wedge-shaped die used to stamp money
2
Stage 2 of 3
coin
Old French · medieval
"wedge, die"
also meant a corner, as in 'quoin'
3
Stage 3 of 3
coin
English · 1300s
"die; corner"
'to coin a phrase' dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Coin’s story begins in Latin: cuneus meant “wedge.” The wedge-shaped die used to stamp money. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as coin. Also meant a corner, as in 'quoin'. It reached English by 1300s as coin. 'to coin a phrase' dates from the 1500s. Today, coin means a flat metal piece used as money.