copper pieces

Copper pieces are coins of the lowest denomination, especially in fantasy role-playing games and medieval-inspired settings.

In games like Dungeons & Dragons, copper pieces sit at the bottom of the currency hierarchy—typically ten copper pieces equal one silver piece.

The term evokes a world of taverns, merchants, and adventurers counting out small change: The beggar asked for a few copper pieces.

Outside gaming, the phrase describes any low-value copper coinage.