Green’s Dictionary of Slang

slate n.2

[ety. unknown]

(UK Und.) half-a-crown, 2s 6d (12½p).

[UK]B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Slate c. a half Crown.
[UK]New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
[UK]Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].