What is a Quarter penny worth in Crispin:The Cross of Lead?

Question

Answer 1 · 2011-01-28T04:00:52+00:00

dalepowell1962 | College Teacher | (Level 2) Assistant Educator

Posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:00 AM

Actually there is a specific answer to this question in the book. It is in chapter 3 when the narrator who we later learn is Crispin is giving us his history. When at first, Crispin is telling us what a difficult life he and his mother led, he tells that his mother's wages were. Hers were a penny a day and she could buy full loaves of bread on this. So specifically. a quarter of a penny would be worth a loaf of bread.

Answer 2 · 2010-04-20T23:43:11+00:00

anthonda49 | Middle School Teacher | (Level 2) Associate Educator

Posted on April 20, 2010 at 11:43 PM

It is one fourth of a penny. Money back then had much more value than our money does today. For us, the idea of one fourth of a cent is ridiculous! There isn't even anything that costs a penny anymore. A penny back then was more like our dollar today or even higher. A copper then was what our penny is like today. They had half penny and quarter penny coins as well. There was also a silver penny as well as shillings and guineas. Many of the portion of a penny coins were phased out after the economy grew with skilled labor. I'm sure a quarter penny might buy a loaf of bread or a mug of ale in those days.

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