myntlomme

Myntlomme is a term used to describe a small pouch or pocket for coins. In Nordic languages, the compound derives from mynt (coin) and lomme (pocket), and appears in dialectal references to everyday garments and accessories. The concept functioned as a practical container for small change, often integrated into clothing such as waistcoats, belts, or hand-sewn purses. Historically, a myntlomme could be made from leather, cloth, or felt, and commonly featured a simple closure like a drawstring, flap, button, or clasp. Size varied, but it was typically sized to hold copper or silver coins and perhaps a few small tokens or keys.

As monetary systems evolved toward paper money, cards, and electronic payments, the everyday use of the physical coin purse waned, and the term has largely entered dialect and literature rather than daily life. In traditional costumes, however, a fixed myntlomme may still be part of the garment, sometimes decorated to reflect regional styles. In contemporary writing, myntlomme is sometimes invoked to evoke nostalgia for pre-digital economies or to describe a symbolic container for small, portable wealth within a broader wallet or purse.

The term is sometimes used more broadly to refer to any compact pocket for coins, or metaphorically to designate a dedicated space for minor expenditures within a larger financial system. It serves as an example of how language preserves everyday objects even as their practical use changes over time.