† broad-piece Obs.
A name applied after the introduction of the guinea in 1663 to the ‘Unite’ or 20 shilling-piece (‘Jacobus’ and ‘Carolus’) of the preceding reigns, which were much broader and thinner than the new milled coinage.
| 1678 Narr. Murd. Godfrey 6 He..found..four broad pieces of Gold. 1690 Lond. Gaz. No. 2549/4, 17 false Guineas, and two false Broadpieces. 1691 Locke Money Wks. 1727 II. 47 The Broad-Pieces that were coined in King James I. time for 20s. nobody will now part with under 23s. or more. 1712 Arbuthnot John Bull (1755) 53 Others..picked up guineas and broad-pieces. 1816 Scott Old Mort. iii, An old miser..with whom a broad piece would at any time weigh down political opinions. |