Etymology From Middle English coyn, from Old French coigne (“wedge, cornerstone, die for stamping”), from Latin cuneus (“wedge”). Doublet of coign and cuneus. See also quoin (“cornerstone”). Displaced Middle English mynt, from Old English mynet (whence modern English mint), which was derived from Latin monēta.
Business, Finance, Money A piece of currency, usually metallic and in the shape of a disc, but sometimes polygonal, or with a hole in the middle.
...the coins were of all countries and sizes - doubloons, and louis d'ors, and guineas, and pieces of eight...1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:
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A token used in a special establishment like a casino.
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Figuratively That which serves for payment or recompense.
The loss of every present advantage to flesh and blood is repaid in a nobler coin.1654, H[enry] Hammond, Of Fundamentals in a Notion Referring to Practise, London: […] J[ames] Flesher for Richard Royston, […], →OCLC:
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Figuratively Something in broad circulation or use.
Tho’ truths in manhood darkly join, Deep-seated in our mystic frame, We yield all blessing to the name Of Him that made them current coin; […]1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXXVI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 56:
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UK, US, Slang Money in general, not limited to coins.
African-American Vernacular
She spent some serious coin on that car!
It was the biggest thing in the town, and everybody I met was full of it. They were going to run an over-sea empire, and make no end of coin by trade.1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 199:
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Boy toy named Troy, used to live in Detroit, big dope dealer money he was getting some coin.2014, Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda”, in The Pinkprint:
Of course, she [Charlie XCX] has a penchant for designer frames that cost upwards of $400. If you want to splurge on one of those exact pairs, go off. If you want to save some coin, I found similar options at more affordable brands and even some Amazon dupes. You’re welcome.2024 September 14, Heath Owens, “What to Wear to Charli xcx & Troye Sivan's Tour If You Wanna 'SWEAT'”, in Cosmopolitan:
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Card games, Games One of the suits of minor arcana in tarot, or a card of that suit.
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A corner or external angle.
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A small circular slice of food.
For munchies try deep-fried jalapeño coins, jumbo Buffalo wings, and hush puppies with a sweet edge.2015, Fodor's The Carolinas & Georgia:
Spread out four bread and butter pickle coins on top, and sprinkle with onion.2020, Evan Bloom, Rachel Levin, Eat Something, page 76:
Etymology From Middle English coyn, from Old French coigne (“wedge, cornerstone, die for stamping”), from Latin cuneus (“wedge”). Doublet of coign and cuneus. See also quoin (“cornerstone”). Displaced Middle English mynt, from Old English mynet (whence modern English mint), which was derived from Latin monēta.
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To make of a definite fineness, and convert into coins, as a mass of metal.
to coin silver dollars
to coin a medal
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Many persons believe that the so-called "dollar of the daddies," weighing 412½ grains (nine tenths fine), having a ratio to gold of "16 to 1" in value when first coined, was the original dollar of the Constitution.1898 September 23, Alexander E. Outerbridge Jr., “Curiosities of American Coinage”, in Popular Science Monthly, volume 53, D. Appleton & Company, page 601:
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Broadly To make or fabricate (especially a word or phrase).
Over the last century the advance in science has led to many new words being coined.
Not fearing outward force: So ſhall my Lungs / Coine words till their decay, againſt thoſe Meazelsc. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i], page 15:
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Some tale, some new pretense, he daily coined, / To soothe his sister and delude her mind.1697, Virgil, “Aeneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 1:
Because in today's 2,000mph technological freefall, he who coins the catchiest buzzword generally wins the debate by default.2010 August 30, Charlie Brooker, “Buzzwords for blowhards”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 30 May 2023:
As a result, men turn to the women in their lives to fulfill their emotional needs. Ferrara and her coauthor are not the first to suggest that women bear the burden of mankeeping (although they did coin the term).2024 October 23, Kim Elsesser, “Mankeeping: How Shrinking Male Social Networks May Burden Women”, in Forbes, archived from the original on 17 Mar 2025:
According to Collins Dictionary and Wiktionary, the term was coined in 2017 by journalist Anzer Ayoob, the term Chenabi is derived from the Chenab River, with the suffix “-i”, commonly used to denote belonging.2025 July 24, Mubasher Sharief Pathan, “Chenab Valley United”, in Precious Kashmir, archived from the original on 29 Aug 2025:
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To acquire rapidly, as money; to make.
[...] Tenants cannot coin their Rent juſt at Quarter-day, but muſt gather it up by degrees, and lodge it with them till Pay-day, or borrow it of thoſe who have it lying by them, [...]1691, [John Locke], Some Considerations of the Consequences of the Lowering of Interest, and Raising the Value of Money. […], London: […] Awnsham and John Churchill, […], published 1692, →OCLC, page 36: