Does Anyone Still Use Groats?

[Chappers]

I was told recently that in a certain part of the country that the informer couldn't recall, Groats were still used as currency.

Is this true? And if so, how much is a groat worth?

[Quizmonster]

A groat was a silver coin worth four old pence. Since 1662, it has been coined purely as Maundy Money. There was a later fourpenny-piece in the 19th century, but it was not officially called a groat. The only place you might find it 'used' today is in a numismatic club!

[gammaray]

Groats are used by a Groat Hrerd!

[dzug]

You might find it used in an historical theme park - you'd 'buy' it at the box office and then 'spend' it in the site shops. It would be (over-) priced to reflect the amount they wanted to charge.

Having said that the only ones I know of use old pennies, etc - not groats.

[Octavius]

From the reigns of Charles II to George III groats (by then often known as fourpences) were issued on an irregular basis for general circulation, the only years of mintage after 1786 being in 1792, 1795, and 1800. After this the only circulating issues were from 1836 to 1855, with proofs known from 1857 and 1862 and a colonial issue of 1888.

Some groats continued to circulate in Scotland until the 20th century.

Since 1971 the fourpenny coins have been denominated in new pence and thus represent 1/25th rather than 1/60th of a Pound sterling unlike the traditional groats

Very occasionally older people, students of English or History, etc. might refer to loose change of a small amount of coin money as groats. But the word is almost obsolete now. The word derives from Middle English and Middle Dutch 'groot' meaning 'great' since this coin was a big one, compared to a penny. The word can actually be traced back to Roman times, when a 'Denarius Grossus' was a 'thick penny'.

[Gnu]

There are a number of LETS around the country (Local Exchange Trading Schemes) and these allow people to 'swap' goods and services without using cash.

The LETS in Stirling and Alloa uses 'groats' to value work, and 5 groats equals one hour of work.

[Quizmonster]

I'm sure you're right, Gnu, but are you talking about actual silver coins manufactured hundreds of years ago or some sort of 'token' that the organisers just happen to have chosen to call a 'groat'?
I ask because the questioner says 'still' which suggests that he/she is talking about something used in the past which is also used today...not something new. Cheers

[LeoMunro]

In north Wales, "fourpens" - four old pence were called "groat" as late as 1970 - but only when Welsh was spoken..

[Chappers]

Thanks guys, seems I was misled.