metal money

[/ˈmɛtəl ˈmʌni/]
nounpl: metal monies
moeda metálica
1. Currency in the form of coins made from metal such as gold, silver, copper, or other alloys
Before paper currency became common, metal money was the primary means of exchange.
Antes da moeda de papel se tornar comum, a moeda metálica era o principal meio de troca.
2. Actual physical currency as opposed to paper notes or digital currency
The collector specializes in rare metal money from the 18th century.
O colecionador se especializa em moedas metálicas raras do século XVIII.
3. Coins collectively, especially when used in everyday transactions
The child received metal money as a birthday gift to learn about saving.
A criança recebeu moedas metálicas como presente de aniversário para aprender sobre poupança.
Metal money holds historical and cultural significance in both American and Brazilian contexts. In the USA, metal coins remain important for everyday transactions and collecting, with the penny and nickel being iconic. In Brazil, while metal money is less prevalent in daily use due to inflation and the shift to digital payments, it retains cultural value in numismatic collections and historical education. The phrase reflects a distinction between tangible, intrinsic-value currency and modern fiat or digital forms of money.
NYC Slang
coins, change, hard currency
Synonyms / Sinônimos
coincoinagespeciebullion coinhard money
Antonyms / Antônimos
paper moneyfiat moneydigital currencycryptocurrencybanknote

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
moeda metálica
Standard term used throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
moeda de metal
Alternative colloquial form
São Paulo
moeda metálica
Formal standard usage
Portugal
moeda metálica
Identical to Brazilian Portuguese; formal and standard

Related Words

numismaticsbullioncurrencymintdenomination

Related Idioms & Phrases

not worth its weight in metal
metal money speaks louder than words
the ring of metal money
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