Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pistole \Pis*tole"\, n. [F., probably a name given in jest in
   France to a Spanish coin. Cf. {Pistol}.]
   The name of certain gold coins of various values formerly
   coined in some countries of Europe. In Spain it was
   equivalent to a quarter doubloon, or about $3.90, and in
   Germany and Italy nearly the same. There was an old Italian
   pistole worth about $5.40.