sixpence again

[emperor]

I'm still completetly stuck for a solution to the following local quiz question (exactly as written):-

Evidently 494 were once treated as though worth, as it were, only sixpence or next to nothing. By whom?

Any thoughts anybody???

[Famous5]

Where's local?

Apart from that, first thought is that VI is 6, D is 500 and 500 less 6 is 494

VI d could also be sixpence in predecimal money

Interested to se any other ideas

[pandabear]

how mant questions in this Quiz?

and as asked for above by Famous5 where is local?

[pandabear]

some thoughts -

tanner

lucky sixpence - given to a bride / put into the xmas pudding / from the tooth fairy

reference to literature / song ---- wasn't there something in Oliver the musical or Oliver Twist about a sixpence

[dancecaller]

VID next to nothing (o).

OVID?

Don't see why we've got vid twice though

Or even 3 times, does vid. mean evidently?

[pandabear]

post the answer when you get it plz

[emperor]

toFamous5, local is cornwall.

Thanks for the thoughts, I'll work on them and let you know if I get anywhere

To pandabear, there are 32 questions, all sorted apart from this and the one listed on the site as 'colours again'

[emperor]

thanks for all the help

The answer is Ovid althogh the quiz organiser doesn't know why!