spiccioli

Spiccioli is an informal Italian term referring to small change or loose coins. It is commonly used in everyday conversation to denote a collection of coins of various denominations, often kept in a wallet, purse, or a designated jar. The term itself derives from the Italian verb "spicciolare," which means to break down or to make change.

The use of spiccioli is prevalent in daily transactions, particularly for small purchases where exact change might be inconvenient. It is also the term used for the coins that are given back to a customer after a payment made with a larger denomination bill. While not a formal currency denomination, spiccioli represent the accumulated sum of the smallest units of Italian currency, such as cents.

In a broader sense, spiccioli can also colloquially refer to insignificant amounts of money or trivial sums. This usage highlights the perception of these small coins as being of lesser value compared to larger bills. The accumulation of spiccioli is a common occurrence in many households, with people often collecting them to be later exchanged for larger bills or used for small purchases.