monnaie

la monnaie (FR N-F) money, metal minted coinage guaranteed by a sovereignty to be worth a certain amount, used as a medium of exchange of goods, services; pocket change. First appears in French in the 12th century spelled moneie, monoie, from Latin moneta (that which shows). Moneta was the second part of the name of the Roman »Temple of Juno Moneta,« where coins were struck. (Eluard)