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STERLING

Volume 17 · 81 words · 1797 Edition

an epithet by which genuine English money is distinguished. It is unnecessary to mention the various conjectures of antiquaries about the origin and meaning of this appellation. The most probable opinion seems to be this, that some artists from Germany, who were called Sterling, from the situation of their country, had been employed in fabricating our money. money, which consisted chiefly of silver pennies; and that from them the penny was called an *efferling*, and our money *efferling* or *sterling* money.