Also 7–8 copec, 8 copeik, copique, capeck, kapeke, 8–9 copeek, 9 kopek. [ad. Russ. копѣйка, копейка koplêika, kopeika, deriv. (dim. form) of копъѐ kopyé lance, pike.
So called from the substitution in 1535 of the figure of Ivan IV. on horseback with a lance, for that of his predecessor with a sword. Cf. Bestuzhev-Riumin, Russkoya Istoriya, 1885, II. 206, and Karamzin VIII. i. (citing the contemporary Chronicle of Rostov.).]
A Russian copper coin, the 1/100 part of a rouble, now worth from 1/4 to 1/3 of a penny English.
1698. J. Crull, Muscovy, 144. To spend every Copec (or Penny) they have, in a Tippling-House, is a common thing here.
1716. J. Perry, State of Russia, 7, note. Each Copeck [was] full an English Penny Value; but since the Czar has recoined his Money, it is little more than half the former Value.
1775. Wraxall, Tour North. Europe, 164. Every one pays a few copiques for admittance.
1839. E. D. Clarke, Trav. Russia, 46/1. A poud of beef sold in Woronetz for twenty-six copeeks.
1888. Times, 27 June, 12/1. A tax of half a copeck per pood should be levied on exported corn.
