Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
United States coinage
There are six denominations of United States coinage (or specie) currently in circulation by the United States Mint. All coins have monetary value equal to a fraction (from 1/100th to 100/100th) of the United States dollar.
| Contents |
Coins currently in circulation
| Coin | Value | Design on front (obverse) | Design on back (reverse) |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-cent coin (popularly known as a penny) | $0.01 | Abraham Lincoln | Lincoln Memorial |
| Five-cent coin (popularly known as a nickel) | $0.05 | Thomas Jefferson | Monticello; temporarily displaced by Westward Journey Series (2004-2005) |
| Dime | $0.10 | Franklin Roosevelt | torch, oak branch, olive branch |
| Quarter | $0.25 | George Washington | Eagle; temporarily displaced by State Quarter Series (1999-2008) |
| Half-dollar | $0.50 | John Kennedy | Great Seal surrounded by 50 stars |
| Dollar | $1.00 |
| Eagle in flight |
Several non-circulating bullion coins are also produced by the United States Mint
- Hundred-dollar bullion coin, $100, one troy ounce (~31 grams) platinum
- Fifty-dollar bullion coin, $50, half troy ounce (~15.5 grams) platinum
- Fifty-dollar bullion coin, $50, one troy ounce (~31 grams) gold
- Twenty-five-dollar bullion coin, $25, half troy ounce (~15.5 grams) gold
- Twenty-five-dollar bullion coin, $25, quarter troy ounce (~7.8 grams) platinum
- Ten-dollar bullion coin, $10, tenth troy ounce (~3 grams) platinum
- Ten-dollar bullion coin, $10, quarter troy ounce (~7.8 grams) gold
- Five-dollar bullion coin, $5, tenth troy ounce (~3 grams) gold
- One-dollar bullion coin, $1, one troy ounce (~31 grams) silver
Note: 1 troy ounce = 31.1034768 grams.
Historical denominations of United States coins, which are no longer circulated by the United States Mint
- Half-cent coin
- Two-cent coin
- Three-cent coins (silver and nickel varieties)
- Half dime coin
- Twenty-cent coin
- Gold one dollar coin
- Two-and-one-half dollar coin or "quarter-eagle"
- Three-dollar coin
- Four-dollar coin or "stella" (not circulated)
- Five-dollar coin or "half-eagle"
- Ten-dollar coin or "eagle"
- Twenty-dollar coin or "double eagle"
It is a common misconception that "eagle"-based nomenclature for gold U.S. coinage was merely slang. This is not the case. The "eagle," "half-eagle" and "quarter-eagle" were specifically given these names in the Coinage Act of 1792. Likewise, the double eagle was specifically created as such by name ("An Act to authorize the Coinage of Gold Dollars and Double Eagles", title and section 1, March 3, 1849).
The current dollar coin has an image of Sacagawea on the obverse, and is minted of a golden-colored brass-manganese alloy. This "golden dollar" was designed to replace the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin, which was produced from 1979-1981 and again in 1999. The size, weight, and electromagnetic characteristics of the Sacagawea dollar exactly match those of the Susan B. Anthony dollar, avoiding any need to modify vending machines.
External links
- United States Mint
- Page of 1792 Mint and Coinage Act (Describes the first completely regulated U.S. coinage system.)
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