Cent (currency)

Categories: Currency | Numismatics

Image:2c comm.png
A two cent euro coin
Image:US penny 2003.jpg
A US penny

In currency, the cent is a monetary unit that equals <math>1/100</math>th of the basic unit of value. It also refers to the coin which is worth one cent. In the United States and Canada, the 1¢ coin is generally known by the nickname penny, alluding to the British coin and unit of that name.

Etymologically, the word cent derives from the Latin word centum which means hundred. Mints all over the world usually create coins with values ranging from <math>1/100</math>th to <math>100/100</math>th of the monetary unit, while reserving banknotes for higher values. However, coins with a <math>200/100</math>th or <math>500/100</math>th value are not uncommon, especially in cases of commemorative coinage.

Cent amounts between 1 and 99 cents are usually indicated by the one or two digits followed by a lower-case letter c (1c, 2c), or by a cent sign which is usually pierced top to bottom by a forward slash or a vertical line: ¢ (e.g., 1¢, 2¢).

Other monetary unit subdivision systems are possible, such as the old pound sterling, which until decimalisation in 1971 was subdivided into <math>1/20</math>ths (shillings - s) and <math>1/240</math>ths (old pence - d).

Examples of currencies around the world featuring cents are:

Examples of currencies which do not feature cents

ca:Cèntim de:Cent (Währung) eo:Cendo es:Centavo fr:Cent (monnaie) hu:Cent nl:Cent (munteenheden) pl:Cent