Why are Nails Designated in “Penny” Sizes?

Q: Why are nails designated in “penny” sizes?

 

A: “Penny” sizes originally referred to the price for a hundred nails in England in the 15th century; the larger the nail, the higher the cost per hundred. The terminology was adopted in the United States, written with a number and the abbreviation d for penny. 10d indicates a ten-penny nail. Nails under 1-1/4 inch (brads) are sold mostly in small packages with length and wire gauge designations—i.e., 1” 18 ga. or 3/4” 16 ga. Larger nails get the d or “penny” designation. D is used to abbreviate “penny” because d is an abbreviation for denarius, a Roman coin similar to a penny that was originally used as the abbreviation in the United Kingdom.

Hot Product

Trex Seal Sub-Ledger Tape
Trex® Seal™ Ledger Tape

Ask any seasoned contractor where a deck is most likely to fail, and odds are they’ll point to the ledger board. If it’s not properly installed and protected from moisture, this critical connection point can quickly become the weak link in an otherwise solid structure. That’s where Trex® Seal™ Ledger Tape comes in—a moisture-blocking MVP […]

Read More >>