Dwarf's penny

The dwarf's penny is the name given by the inhabitants of King's Landing to a tax on whoring during the War of the Five Kings.

Recent Events

A Storm of Swords

Lord Tywin Lannister, the Hand of the King to Joffrey I Baratheon, imposes a penny tax on prostitution to improve public morals and to raise funds for King Joffrey I Baratheon's upcoming wedding. Tywin's dwarf son Lannister is blamed for the tax, however, because he serves as the small council's master of coin.

Quotes

Tyrion: The master of coin must remain at court to see that all the armies are paid for.

Olenna: To be sure. Dragons and stags, that's very clever. And dwarf's pennies as well. I have heard of these dwarf's pennies. No doubt collecting those is such a dreadful chore.

Tyrion: I leave the collecting to others, my lady.

—Tyrion Lannister and Olenna Tyrell