Meaning
Small coins; loose change — the low-value coppers and coins that jingle in the pocket. 'Only coppers lef' means you're down to your last bits of change. Once literally copper coins, the word covers all the small change that adds up (as in 'every mikkle mek a mokkle') but on its own buys little.
Examples
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Mi only have some coppers lef.
I only have some loose change left.
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Count up di coppers fi di bus fare.
Count up the coins for the bus fare.
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Save yuh coppers, every mikkle mek a mokkle.
Save your coins; every little bit adds up.
Origin
From 'copper' (copper coins); small coins/loose change. See [[smalls]], [[quattie]].
How it’s used
Small coins/loose change. See [[smalls]], [[quattie]], [[every-mikkle-mek-a-mokkle]].