It origally refered to how much the nails weighed (16 penny nail weighed the same as 16 pennies)
Nowadays it refers to lenghth.
16d penny nail is 3 1/2';
10d=3';
8d=2 1/2';
6d=2';Why are steel nails measured in ';penny'; increments and how did this measurement system come about?
In the US, the length of a nail is designated by its penny size. It is commonly believed that the origin of the term ';penny'; in relation to nail size is based on the old custom in England of selling nails by the hundred. A hundred nails that sold for six pence were ';six penny'; nails. The larger the nail, the more a hundred nails would cost. Thus the larger nails have a larger number for its penny size.
The penny size is written with a number and the abbreviation d for penny (e.g. - 10d). D is an abbreviation for denarius, a Roman coin similar to a penny.
3d - 1-1/4'; (~30 mm)
4d - 1-1/2 (~40 mm)
6d - 2'; (~50 mm)
8d - 2-1/2'; (~65 mm)
10d - 3'; (~75 mm)
12d - 3-1/4'; (~80 mm)
16d - 3-1/2'; (~90 mm)
20d - 4'; (~100 mm)
40d - 5'; (~125 mm)
60d - 6'; (~150 mm)Why are steel nails measured in ';penny'; increments and how did this measurement system come about?
as Wayne stated.
if its in america its because americans have to be different even if it means being stupid
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