Picayune (coin)

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Picayune was the name for the half-piece of the Spanish real from around the 18th century in the areas of today's US states Louisiana and Florida. The name was probably introduced from the name for a small Provençal copper coin, the Picaioun, by the French who settled there in the 18th century.

The coin was also legal tender in the United States from 1793 to 1857. During this time the Spanish 8 reales piece (which was the weight of one thaler) was worth one US dollar . The Picayune thus corresponded to 6¼ US cents, which led to the fact that in some parts of the southern US states the name Picayune was transferred to the 5 cent piece . A reference to this means of payment can still be found in the name of the US daily The Times-Picayune , which originally cost a Picayune .