An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Sterling

by Friedrich Kluge

Sterling, m., from MidHG. sterlinc (g), m., ‘a coin,’ whence E. sterling. The MidHG. word sterlinc (stœrlinc) indicates by its formation, which is similar to that of Pfenning and Schilling, that it is an old word; its early history is, however, obscure.