the.com/sterling
a word so trustworthy it became British money and a compliment in the same breath
means Of recognized excellence or genuine quality — and, capitalized, the name of British currency (the pound sterling) and of a fixed standard of silver purity (92.5%).
from The likeliest story traces it to Old English 'steorra' (star), via a Middle English coin called the 'sterling' that may have borne a small star — though some scholars instead point to medieval traders from eastern Germany, the 'Easterlings,' renowned for reliable silver coinage. Either way, the name became shorthand for money you could trust, and from there 'sterling' drifted naturally into a word for anything of proven, top-grade worth.
- origin
- likely named after Norman silver pennies marked with stars
- purity
- 925 means 92.5 percent silver, the rest copper
- double duty
- means both the currency and excellent character
- tarnish
- copper makes it darken, so polishing is eternal
- hallmark
- genuine pieces carry tiny stamped purity proof
pound sterling — official currency of the united kingdom since 1489
sterling silver — alloy of 92.5% silver used in jewelry and cutlery worldwide
raheem sterling — english footballer who plays for manchester city and england national team