Colloquial expression
In colloquial German the 10 Pfennig coin was sometimes called a Groschen Groschen was the (sometimes colloquial) name for a coin used in various German-speaking states as well as some non-German-speaking countries of Central Europe (Bohemia, Poland), the Danubian principalities. The name, like that of the English groat, derives from the Italian denaro grosso, or large penny, via the Bohemian form groš. The Qirsh (also (cf. groat Groat is the traditional name of an English silver coin worth four English pennies, and also a Scottish coin originally worth fourpence, with later issues being valued at eightpence and a shilling). Likewise, Sechser (sixer) could refer to a coin of 5 Pfennig. Both colloquialisms refer to several pre-1871 currencies of the previously independent Länder Categories: German culture | German words and phrases (notably Prussia Prussia (German: Preußen ; Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Latvian: Prūsija; Lithuanian: Prūsija; Polish: Prusy; Czech: Prusko; Old Prussian: Prūsa; Hungarian: Poroszország) was a historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. This state had for centuries substantial influence on German and European), where a Groschen was subdivided into 12 Pfennigs, hence half a Groschen into 6. After 1871, 12 Pfennigs of old currency would be converted into 10 Pfennig of the Mark, hence 10 Pfennig coins inherited the "Groschen" name and 5 Pfennig coins inherited the "Sechser" name. Both usages are only regional and may not be understood in areas where a Groschen coin did not exist pre-1871. Especially the usage of "Sechser" is less widely spread. In Northern Germany the 5 Mark coin used to be also called "Heiermann" (hired man).
<<Table of Contents The Deutsche Mark or German mark was the official currency of West Germany and, from 1990 until the adoption of the euro, all of unified Germany. It was first issued under Allied occupation in 1948 replacing the Reichsmark, and served as the Federal Republic of Germany's official currency from its founding the following year until 1999, when the | Next>> | Show All>>
