A Conversation for Ask h2g2
Coins for Flipping
J Started conversation Dec 27, 2007
Would anyone from outside of the US care to tell me what coins in their countries are most commonly used to flip? If you want to 'flip a coin' in the US, it's more likely than not a quarter, but I don't really understand any monetary systems outside of my own.
I'm hoping to include this information in an entry if I can.
Coins for Flipping
Primeval Mudd (formerly Roymondo) Posted Dec 27, 2007
Mt experience in the UK is that it's whatever comes to hand, but usually a 2p or 10p as they're relatively large.
Coins for Flipping
Mu Beta Posted Dec 27, 2007
I don't recommend £1 coins for flipping. They're too thick, they have been known to land on edge, and if it rolls under a table and gets lost then you're down one substantial quantity of money.
B
Coins for Flipping
J Posted Dec 27, 2007
What would you recommend, B?
Also, forgive my ignorance, but are the opposing faces of a coin known as heads and tails elsewhere?
Coins for Flipping
Mu Beta Posted Dec 27, 2007
One would assume non-English-speaking countries don't use those terms. As far as I know, they're common to the US, Britain, Australia and South Africa. In the UK, flipping is also known as 'tossing', which causes a fair amount of humour, because 'tossing' is also slang for - ahem - going on a date with Miss Palm.
I would recommend a 10p, or if you're flash, a £2. Nice size, easily visible (unlike coppers) and no silly edges (unlike a 20p or 50p), which do tend to hinder the flipping process.
B
Coins for Flipping
Feisor - -0- Generix I made it back - sortof ... Posted Dec 28, 2007
Have you ever heard of "Two-Up"?
It's an Australian institution - a gambling game where 2 (or sometimes 3)coins are tossed and wagers are made on the result (heads, tails, odds).
Here are some links for your information - might be good for your entry
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/25/1050777402228.html
http://ozbird.com/oz/twoup.htm
http://www.awm.gov.au/Encyclopedia/two_up/howto.htm
It is traditionally played with pennies which are no longer legal currency - more info and pics here
http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-asstd/two_up.htm
Let me know if you need anything more
That last link is probably the most comprehensive but the others have some interesting stuff too.
Coins for Flipping
4me-2me (Please don't 8me) Posted Dec 28, 2007
In Canada, we usually use a 25 cent or a 1 dollar if the bets are higher...
Coins for Flipping
Mu Beta Posted Dec 28, 2007
If you're including Two Up, don't forget the Terry Pratchett version, played by either trolls or the fourecksians (Discworld Australians); I can't remember which.
One Up involves tossing a coin in the air and betting on whether or not it will come down again.
B
Coins for Flipping
J Posted Dec 28, 2007
Write a short little something up and I'll put it in. I'm not familiar enough with Two Up, Australian currency, Pratchett or fourecksians to comfortably write it. I have a very short sentence about Two Up right now.
Thanks 4me
Coins for Flipping
J Posted Dec 28, 2007
By the way, the bones of an entry are here - A30481355 and it's in the EGWW
Coins for Flipping
4me-2me (Please don't 8me) Posted Dec 28, 2007
Seems as a good entry. I can add (if you want to add some stuff around this wonderful Canada country) that in sport, like football (soccer) a 1$ coin is officialy use to determinate the starter. There is two sides: Pile ou Face (tails or heads), Face (Heads) on canadian money represent your Queen, Elizabeth, Pile represent a beaver on a 25 cent or an huard (osprey , black-throated diver) on a 1$. Canadian tend to choose, when there are face with the choice of choosing the side, Pile (Tails).
Coins for Flipping
J Posted Dec 28, 2007
Any more information on Canadian flipping coins? It'd be appreciated. What denominations are widely used?
Coins for Flipping
4me-2me (Please don't 8me) Posted Dec 28, 2007
In Quebec or in France, we use Pile ou Face? to ask the opponent choice.
In the english part of the Canada, I do not know, I think it is called tails or head.
You can add in the entry that the fourth doctor (Tom Baker) flip a coin in the episode Warrior's gate to find is direction. I think there are other episode where he flips coin, you should ask the Who department for this information and confirming mine... ( A655256 )
25 cent has now lot of different picture on the tails side. Every month, the royal bank of Canada to justify there salary bring us a new 25 cent that they bring into circulation. They produce more old style 25 cent (with the beaver), but know we have commemorative stuff on the front, flowers, sports, animals... It's kind of nice. I should check out if there is more to tell.
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Coins for Flipping
- 1: J (Dec 27, 2007)
- 2: Primeval Mudd (formerly Roymondo) (Dec 27, 2007)
- 3: Mu Beta (Dec 27, 2007)
- 4: J (Dec 27, 2007)
- 5: Mu Beta (Dec 27, 2007)
- 6: Feisor - -0- Generix I made it back - sortof ... (Dec 28, 2007)
- 7: 4me-2me (Please don't 8me) (Dec 28, 2007)
- 8: Mu Beta (Dec 28, 2007)
- 9: J (Dec 28, 2007)
- 10: J (Dec 28, 2007)
- 11: 4me-2me (Please don't 8me) (Dec 28, 2007)
- 12: swl (Dec 28, 2007)
- 13: Thatprat - With a new head/wall interface mechanism (Dec 28, 2007)
- 14: J (Dec 28, 2007)
- 15: 4me-2me (Please don't 8me) (Dec 28, 2007)
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