Definition

• A name given to the English silver fourpence which was re- vived for general circulation in 1836 and discontinued in 1856. The following cu- rious note concerning these coins appears in Hawkins:

  " These pieces are said to have owed their existence to the pressing instance of Mr. Joseph Hume, from whence they, for some time, bore the nickname of Joeys. As they were very convenient to pay short cab fares, the Hon. Member of Parliament was extremely unpopular with the drivers, who frequently received only a groat where otherwise they would have received a six- pence without any demand for change."

Source

• Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)

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