Pēn'ny, n.
n.; pl. PĒN'NĪES, or PĒNCE. Pennies denotes the number of coins; pence the amount of pennies in value. [A-S. penig, peneg, pening, pending, D. & Sw. penning, O. Sax. penninc, O. H. Ger. pending, pendig, phending, phenning, phendig, phennig, N. H. Ger. pfennig, Dan. penge, pl., money, Icel. peningr, cattle, money; Lith. pinigas, money.]
Sense 1. A coin, the twelfth part of a shilling in value, or equal to four farthings—about two cents;—usually indicated by d, the initial of denarius.
Sense 2. Hence, a small sum; a groat; a stiver;—also used as a representative of money in general, in phrases such as, turn an honest penny.
Be sure to turn the penny. Dryden.