How to Say "old coin" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “old coin” is “cruzado” — use 'cruzado' when referring to a specific historical currency, especially the former currency of Brazil..
English → Spanish
cruzado
kroo-SAH-doh/kruˈsaðo/
nounC1general
Use 'cruzado' when referring to a specific historical currency, especially the former currency of Brazil.
Examples
El cruzado fue la moneda de Brasil durante los años 80 y 90.
The cruzado was the currency of Brazil during the 80s and 90s.
perra
/PEH-rrah//'pera/
nounC2colloquial
Use 'perra' colloquially, particularly in Spain, to refer to small amounts of old Spanish currency or money in general, often with a slightly dismissive tone.
Examples
Después de tanto trabajar, me pagaron cuatro perras.
After all that work, they paid me peanuts (four pennies).
No tengo ni una perra para comprar el pan.
I don't have a single dime to buy bread.
Confusing Historical Currency with Colloquial Money
Learners often confuse 'cruzado' and 'perra' because both relate to money. Remember that 'cruzado' is a specific historical currency, while 'perra' is a very informal term for small amounts of money or old coins, especially in Spain.
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