Legal Definitions - viva pecunia

Definition: Viva pecunia is a Latin term that means "living money." During the Saxon period, cattle were used as a form of currency and were referred to as viva pecunia. They were traded at regulated prices.

During the Saxon period, if someone owed a debt, they could pay it off by giving the creditor a certain number of cattle. The cattle were considered viva pecunia, or living money.

Another example of viva pecunia in action is when a farmer needed to purchase goods from a merchant. Instead of using coins or paper money, the farmer could trade a certain number of cattle for the goods.

These examples illustrate how viva pecunia was used as a form of currency during the Saxon period. Cattle were valued and traded just like coins or paper money are today.