crownpiece

Crownpiece is a term with several senses in English, usually tied to the idea of a top or crown. It most commonly refers to two distinct objects: a historical coin and a part of horse tack, though it can appear in other specialized contexts as well.

In numismatic contexts, crownpiece denotes the five-shilling coin of Britain, commonly called the crown. These coins circulated for centuries and served as a convenient unit of account in royal and commercial transactions. With decimalization in 1971, the five-shilling crown ceased to be legal tender in everyday use, and the term now survives mainly in historical references and coin collecting.

In horse riding, the crownpiece is a component of a bridle that sits over the top of the horse’s head, behind the ears, and connects the headstall to the bit and reins. Crownpieces can be made from leather or synthetic materials and are often padded for comfort. Designs vary by discipline, but the function is to hold the bridle in place and distribute pressure during riding.

Other, less common uses of the term may appear in jewelry or heraldic descriptions to refer to the uppermost part or crown-like band of a crown or headpiece. Etymologically, crownpiece derives from crown, signaling its association with the top or head region, and its specific meaning depends on the context.