Obs. A name applied after the introduction of the guinea in 1663 to the ‘Unite’ or 20 shilling-piece (‘Jacobus’ and ‘Carolus’) of the preceding reigns, which were much broader and thinner than the new milled coinage.
1678. Narr. Murd. Godfrey, 6. He … found … four broad pieces of Gold.
1690. Lond. Gaz., No. 2549/4. 17 false Guineas, and two false Broadpieces.
1691. Locke, Money, Wks. 1727, II. 47. The Broad-Pieces that were coined in King James I. time for 20s. nobody will now part with under 23s. or more.
1712. Arbuthnot, John Bull (1755), 53. Others … picked up guineas and broad-pieces.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., iii. An old miser … with whom a broad piece would at any time weigh down political opinions.
