† Leonine, n.1 Obs.
Also 8 lionine.
[ad. med.L. leōnīna, app. fem. of leōnīnus (see next), but the reason of the name is not clear; cf. quot. 1749.]
A counterfeit coin, of the reign of Edward I, brought into England from abroad.
| [c 1350 W. Hemingburgh Chronicon (1849) II. 187 Monetas plurimas et pessimi metalli, pollardorum..leoninarum dormientium, et aliorum diversorum nominum.] 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. III. 309/1 There were diuerse monies in those daies [1300] currant within this realme, as pollards, crocards, staldings, eagles, leonines,..and all these were white monies, artificiallie made of siluer, copper, and sulphur. 1749 J. Simon Ess. Irish Coins 15 note, These..foreign coins, called Mitres, Lionines, Rosaries,..&c. from the stamp or figures impressed on them, were privately brought from..beyond the seas, and uttered here for pennies. |