rigsdaler: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical, Academic, Numismatic
Quick answer
What does “rigsdaler” mean?
A historical Danish silver coin and monetary unit, used until 1873.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical Danish silver coin and monetary unit, used until 1873.
Historically, the main unit of currency in Denmark and Norway; used to refer to historical financial values in a Scandinavian context. Sometimes used figuratively for something old-fashioned or obsolete.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference between UK and US usage; the term is equally obscure and specialised in both variants.
Connotations
Archaic, historical, European (specifically Scandinavian).
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of specific historical or numismatic contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “rigsdaler” in a Sentence
[Subject: country/era] used the rigsdaler[Preposition: worth/value] X rigsdalera/the rigsdaler [Verb: was/circulated/was replaced]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rigsdaler” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- rigsdaler-era finances
American English
- rigsdaler-period economy
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Used in historical, economic, and numismatic papers discussing Scandinavian history.
Everyday
Almost never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used in numismatics (coin collecting) and historical finance.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rigsdaler”
- Misspelling as 'rigsdollar' or 'rigsdalar'. Incorrectly assuming it is a current term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a purely historical term. Denmark now uses the krone.
In British English, it is typically /ˈriːɡzˌdɑːlə/. In American English, it is /ˈriɡzˌdɑlər/.
The speciedaler was the later, standardised version of the rigsdaler used in Norway.
Almost exclusively in historical texts, numismatic (coin-collecting) discussions, or academic works on Scandinavian economic history.
A historical Danish silver coin and monetary unit, used until 1873.
Rigsdaler is usually historical, academic, numismatic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a rigsdaler”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RIGS are for sailing ships; DALER sounds like 'dollar'. An old 'ship dollar' from Denmark.
Conceptual Metaphor
An obsolete standard (as in "a moral rigsdaler" for an outdated principle).
Practice
Quiz
What was the rigsdaler?