diff --git a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
index 9833ccde8..f37232824 100644
--- a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
+++ b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
@@ -2271,6 +2271,8 @@ answering '?<return>' at the "genocide what?" prompt (for either monster class
 	monsters have already been genocided and then re-prompts
 throwing the silver bell (or other invocation item, or the Amulet) to the
 	quest leader will identify it instead of being treated as an attack
+applying gold pieces will flip one and report "heads" or "tails"; with a stack
+	of more than one, normally the flipped coin will rejoin the stack
 
 
 Platform- and/or Interface-Specific New Features
diff --git a/src/apply.c b/src/apply.c
index a3c3e1f27..6051b6a64 100644
--- a/src/apply.c
+++ b/src/apply.c
@@ -4327,13 +4327,13 @@ flip_coin(struct obj *obj)
     struct obj *otmp = obj;
     boolean lose_coin = FALSE;
 
-    You("flip %s.", an(cxname_singular(obj)));
+    You("flip %s.", an(singular(obj, xname)));
     if (Underwater) {
-        pline_The("%s floats away.", xname(obj));
+        pline("It tumbles away.");
         lose_coin = TRUE;
-    } else if (Glib || Fumbling || (ACURR(A_DEX) < 10 && !rn2(ACURR(A_DEX)))) {
-        pline_The("%s slips between your %s.", xname(obj),
-              fingers_or_gloves(FALSE));
+    } else if (Glib || Fumbling
+               || (ACURR(A_DEX) < 10 && !rn2(ACURR(A_DEX)))) {
+        pline("It slips between your %s.", fingers_or_gloves(FALSE));
         lose_coin = TRUE;
     }