Ten-penny coin

A common enough coin, not worth much, about the equivalent of day's wages for a beginning apprentice if they aren't provided with room and board by their master. You will see them all day, every day in the markets. No one pays any attention to them, as familiar as they are.
No one pays any attention? That is ignorance speaking.
If you see a merchant giving a ten-penny coin with her left hand to a customer, there is more to the transaction than making change. If it is offered with a closed hand, one thing is meant, given in an outstretched hand means something else. Which side of the coin is upright when presented by the giver? Does that same side remain the top when transferred to the receiving party? Which hand receives the coin? Is it handed over carefully, or casually, or just flipped? Is the coin rolled between fingers, spun on the palm, tossed into the air? Does the giver place the coin in the hand of the receiver, or is it taken from them?
Perhaps multiple ten-penny coins trade hands? It happens so quickly, yet so naturally, nothing seems unusual.
Is this coin recently minted? Perhaps it was produced years ago, and the engravings are flattened and worn. So much knowledge, so much meaning. Are the merchant and customer communicating between themselves or are they simply moving a message along?
A few obscure references can be teased from old records about the secret language of the coins, but who today cares about such things?

Significance

A frequently used denomination for trading and buying of goods and services. Transactions done with this coin can be common, mere commerce, or they can impart a wide range of knowledge.

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by Royalty-free photo, author not given

The ten-penny coin.

Flip them, slip them, toss them and trade. 'Tis more than mere coin in the hands of a sage. -- Ramblings #34, edition 26

Item type

Currency & Deeds

Rarity

Common, even ubiquitous

Weight

.20 oz if new, less for worn coins

Dimensions

Circular, about .75 inches in diameter

Base Price

equivalent to 10 pennies

Raw materials & Components

Minted of copper with some tin to form bronze.