The word "specie" (/ˈspiːʃi/) refers to coin made of precious metal, such as gold or silver. It is often confused with "species" (/ˈspiːʃiːz/), which refers to a group of living organisms with similar characteristics. The spelling of "specie" comes from the Latin word "species" which means "appearance" or "kind". In English, it has been used since the 1600s to refer to coined money, especially those made of a precious metal. It is important to use the correct spelling to avoid confusion in communication.
Specie refers to a specific kind or type of something, especially in relation to money or coins. In terms of currency, it commonly denotes coins that are made of valuable metals, such as gold or silver, as opposed to paper money or other forms of currency.
Historically, specie was a common medium of exchange in many societies. The use of coins made of precious metals ensured their inherent value, as the amount of metal contained within the coins determined their worth. During the gold standard era, specie played a crucial role in backing national currencies, where paper money could be exchanged for a specified amount of gold or silver.
In modern times, the use of specie has diminished, as most economies have transitioned to fiat money systems, in which currency derives its value solely from the trust and confidence of the public. Nevertheless, specie remains a legal tender in some countries and is highly valued by collectors for its historical significance and beauty.
Outside of the monetary context, specie can also refer to the classification of living organisms. In biology, it is used to denote the lowest taxonomic rank and represents a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Each specie is distinct and consists of individuals with similar characteristics that differentiate them from other related species.
Gold and silver coin, as distinguished from paper money or bank-notes.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "specie" originally stems from the Latin term "species", which means 'appearance', 'kind', or 'sort'. In Latin, the word "species" emerged as a neutral singular noun derived from the adjective "speciosus", meaning 'beautiful' or 'good-looking'. Over time, "species" was adopted into Late Latin and Old French as "espece", which then entered Middle English in the 14th century as "specie". This term has since evolved to have more specific meanings related to currency or coins.