<P> The name came from the British penny and farthing coins , one much larger than the other , so that the side view resembles a penny leading a farthing . Although the name `` penny - farthing '' is now the most common , it was probably not used until the machines were nearly outdated ; the first recorded print reference is from 1891 in Bicycling News . For most of their reign , they were simply known as `` bicycles '' . In the late 1890s , the name `` ordinary '' began to be used , to distinguish them from the emerging safety bicycles ; this term and `` hi - wheel '' ( and variants ) are preferred by many modern enthusiasts . </P>
<P> The name came from the British penny and farthing coins , one much larger than the other , so that the side view resembles a penny leading a farthing . Although the name `` penny - farthing '' is now the most common , it was probably not used until the machines were nearly outdated ; the first recorded print reference is from 1891 in Bicycling News . For most of their reign , they were simply known as `` bicycles '' . In the late 1890s , the name `` ordinary '' began to be used , to distinguish them from the emerging safety bicycles ; this term and `` hi - wheel '' ( and variants ) are preferred by many modern enthusiasts . </P>
where did the penny farthing get its name
where did the penny farthing get its name
from the British penny and farthing coins , one much larger than the other , so that the side view resembles a penny leading a farthing
from the British penny and farthing coins , one much larger than the other , so that the side view resembles a penny leading a farthing