What is the Latin word for penny?

The usual Latin words for “penny” are nummus, terū̆ncius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“penny” in Latin

nummusa coin, piece of money terū̆nciusa bronze coin valued at three unciae or one-quarter of an as, a “farthing”; a fourth part, a quarter

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

penny

*nummus, teruncius. (☞ These words do not, however, express exactly the value of our penny, so that it may be necessary sometimes to retain the term.): Not a penny, ne numum quidem (e.g., will I give). To agree to a penny, ad numum convenire (Cic.): to pay to a penny, ad assem reddere aliquid (Plin., Ep.): not to be able to get a single penny, ne nummum quidem auferre posse (Cic.).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for penny?: The usual Latin words for “penny” are nummus, terū̆ncius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.