INDIA-L Archives

From: <>
Subject: Two Annas worth
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1998 14:40:16 EDT

In a message dated 98-09-02 08:20:28 EDT, writes:

<< Just to add my two anna's worth. >>
I'm fascinated by ths phrase. I thought only my Dad said it. As do I. That and
other peculiarly Indian (or Anglo Indian of a certain era...there are no annas
any more!) My Dad would also say: "Silence in the two anna seats!" ( I guess
those were the cheap seats reserved for the crowd.) I can't remember and
don't know where I've stashed my coins, if I still have them but wasn't there
a two anna piece? All the coins were made of different metals and were
different shapes. A half anna was square and made of brass mostly, a pice was
copper and round with a hole in it, an anna was round with a curly edge??? (
and nickle???please corroborate) and a two anna was square but larger than a
half-anna or one anna??? Its been 40 years since India went decimal! 3 pies
made a pice--12 pice made an anna--16 annas made a rupee (and now 40 Rs make a
US$) My Dad said when he was a child he would beg his mother for one pie to
buy sweets or sugar cane pieces. Hope this is not too tangential.
Joy

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