Definition of "currency"

Spangler went through his pockets, coming out with a handful of small coins, one piece of currency and a hard-boiled egg.

1943, William Saroyan, chapter 3, in The Human Comedy

Fear of punishment has no currency with me as long as I remain convinced of the larger value of what I have done.

1983 April 9, Kenneth Hale Wehmann, “Conscientious Resistance”, in Gay Community News, page 5

He […] takes greatness of kingdoms according to their bulk and currency, and not after intrinsic value.

a. 1627 (date written), Francis [Bacon], “Considerations Touching a VVarre vvith Spaine. […]”, in William Rawley, editor, Certaine Miscellany VVorks of the Right Honourable Francis Lo. Verulam, Viscount S. Alban. […], London: […] I. Hauiland for Humphrey Robinson, […], published 1629

The bare name of Englishman […] too often gave a transient currency to the worthless and ungrateful.

1819 July 31, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “English Writers on America”, in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., number II, New York, N.Y.: […] C. S. Van Winkle, […], page 112