Why do pirates say pieces of eight?

Money in Spain was based on a system of reales (pronounced re-al-es’). In 1537 the Spanish escudo gold coin was introduced, which was worth 16 reales. The later Gold Doubloon was worth 32 reales or 2 escudos. It is this divisibility into 8 which caused the silver coins to be named “pieces of eight”.

What is a piece of 8 coin?

The Spanish dollar, also known as the piece of eight (Spanish: Real de a ocho, Dólar, Peso duro, Peso fuerte or Peso), is a silver coin of approximately 38 mm (1.5 in) diameter worth eight Spanish reales. It was minted in the Spanish Empire following a monetary reform in 1497.

What is the weight of a piece of eight?

The famous “Piece of Eight” was an 8 reale silver coin that had a distinctive “8” stamped into it. It was the largest of the silver coins weighing approximately one ounce.

Why do pirates say Shiver me timbers?

The phrase is based on real nautical slang and is a reference to the timbers, which are the wooden support frames of a sailing ship. In heavy seas, ships would be lifted up and pounded down so hard as to “shiver” the timbers, startling the sailors.

What are the 9 pieces of eight?

The Nine Pieces of Eight, often referred to as just pieces of eight, were an important symbol in Pirate Lore as the items owned by the Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court.

What is the purpose of the nine pieces of eight?

Each piece of eight reflected something about the lord who possessed the piece, and altogether, the nine pieces were used to bind the sea goddess Calypso to a human form, after Davy Jones informed the Brethren on how to capture her. The nine pieces of eight burned to release Calypso.

What is the value of piece of eight coin?

The value of a pieces of eight coin was based on the weight of the silver. At the time the coins were made, one ounce of silver was worth one dollar . The coin could actually be cut into eight pieces, or bits. Each bit was thus worth 1/8 of a dollar .

What was a piece of eight?

Pieces of eight were silver coins made by the Spanish. In the 18th century, American colonists used one ounce silver coins made by the Spanish. These “pieces of eight” were worth eight reales and could be fractioned into halves or quarters, as we do today with the modern dollar.