token money
- noun
- /ˈtoʊkən ˈmʌni/
- Specialized
:
moneda de fichas
- Modern coins are usually token money, as their metal content is worth less than their face value.
Examples
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Collectors often distinguish between token money and full-value coins made from precious metals.
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The use of token money allows governments to produce coins at a low cost.
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Wow! This token money is really interesting!
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Many collectors seek token money for their unique designs.
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Modern coins are usually token money, as their metal content is worth less than their face value.
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Collectors often distinguish between token money and full-value coins made from precious metals.
-
The use of token money allows governments to produce coins at a low cost.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Coins, bills, or bank savings people use to buy things and pay for services
6
6.8
Paper or digital currency a government says people must accept and that has no gold backing
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'token' + 'money' give a general sense of money that is symbolic or in the form of a token, so a learner will grasp a broad relation to the constituents. However, the precise economic sense — that face value exceeds intrinsic material value — is technical and not directly predictable from the everyday meanings of 'token' and 'money', and 'token' has multiple senses that can mislead B1 learners. Therefore the phrase is only partially transparent.
Etymology
The noun token money comes from the idea of a token as a small object that 'stands for' something else. These are coins where the metal is worth less than the value shown on them, so token money means money that represents value rather than being worth that value itself.