The origin of "two bits"

[jtryka]

The phrase isn't used very often anymore, but when I was a kid it was pretty common for folks to refer to a quarter as "two bits." Well, as most of you know already, the phrase originated with the Spanish Milled dollar, or 8 reales, so 1 bit was an eighth of a dollar, hence a quarter was two eighths or bits. Attached is an image of a coin I found, the original "two bits" this is a colonial Mexico 2 Reales coin from the year of our nation's birth, 1776. A neat piece of history!

 

2 Reales Obverse

2 Reales Reverse

[TomB]

I like it. Do you have a 4 reale? They are pretty tough.

[GDJMSP]

Here's a 4 reale - 1536/1542

 

obverse

 

reverse

 

[GP_]

learn something new everyday!! I knew it was somehting like that but never really knew, thanks!

[TomB]

Cool, GDJMSP! You don't see them everyday!

[EVillageProwler]

You guys are so gullible. The origin of "two bits" is from singing barbers, who would accidentally nick a person's scalp in a couple of places because they were too busy singing or humming.

 

Trust me; I have a degree in History!

 

EVP

 

[GDJMSP]

Sure - I'll trust ya EVP

 

But then I have a degree in psychology - and I know I'm crazy