slang. Obs. [Of obscure origin.] A half-guinea.
1635. Shirley, Lady of Pleasure, V. i. He … pays the rooks That went their smelts a piece upon his hand.
1688. Shadwell, Sqr. Alsatia, I. 6. Prithee, Noble Squire, Equipp me with a Couple of Meggs, or two Couple of Smelts.
[1822. Scott, Nigel, xxiii. That noble Master Grahame, whom you call Green, has got the decuses and the smelts.]
