kleingeld

Kleingeld, or loose change, is the portion of a currency consisting of small-denomination coins that are typically used for everyday purchases and minor transactions. The term is common in German-speaking countries and in Dutch contexts to distinguish coins from larger notes and from higher-value currency. The word itself comes from the German klein (small) and Geld (money).

In the euro area, kleingeld generally refers to coins of low value, such as the 1-, 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, and 50-cent coins, and the 1- and 2-euro coins are sometimes included depending on context. These coins are used for routine payments, coin-operated machines, transit fares, and small tips. Banknotes are not considered kleingeld.

Economic and social aspects accompany kleingeld. Its circulation is affected by factors like coin production costs, hoarding, and the relative ease of using cash versus electronic payments. In recent years, the rise of card and mobile payments in many countries has reduced reliance on cash, even as kleingeld remains essential for small, immediate transactions and in settings where electronic payments are unavailable.

History and context. Before the euro, each country used its own set of coins, such as the Deutsche Mark, francs, or guilders. The introduction of the euro in 2002 standardized coins across the euro area, while the term kleingeld continues to describe the low-value coins used in daily life.