Let’s go on an adventure to learn about the six main types of U.S. coins: the penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, and dollar coins. Each coin is special and has its own story. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to recognize each coin and know how much it’s worth!
The penny is a shiny copper coin with a picture of Abraham Lincoln on the front. The back used to show the Lincoln Memorial, but now it has a Union Shield design. A penny is worth one cent (0.01 USD). Did you know it costs more to make a penny than it’s worth? That’s why some people think we should stop making them, but for now, they’re still around!
The nickel is made from copper and nickel and shows Thomas Jefferson on the front. The back has a picture of Monticello, Jefferson’s home. A nickel is worth five cents (0.05 USD), which is the same as five pennies. It’s bigger than a penny, making it easy to hold and use.
The dime is a small, silver-colored coin with Franklin D. Roosevelt on the front. The back has a torch and two olive branches, which stand for peace. A dime is worth ten cents (0.10 USD), more than a penny and a nickel combined. Its small size makes it easy to carry around.
The quarter is a larger silver-colored coin with George Washington on the front. The back usually shows a bald eagle, but there are many special quarters with different designs, like state quarters. A quarter is worth twenty-five cents (0.25 USD), which is the same as twenty-five pennies. It’s a popular coin for buying things, and collectors love the special designs!
The half dollar is a big silver-colored coin with John F. Kennedy on the front. The back shows the presidential seal with fifty stars for the fifty states. A half dollar is worth fifty cents (0.50 USD), so two half dollars make a dollar. You don’t see them often, but you can find them at banks if you ask!
There are two main types of dollar coins: the Sacagawea dollar and the Presidential dollars. The Sacagawea dollar is golden and honors a Native American woman who helped explorers Lewis and Clark. The Presidential dollars feature the first 40 U.S. presidents. Both types are worth one dollar (1.00 USD). People like to collect these coins because they’re special!
Learning about U.S. coins is not only helpful for buying things but also teaches you about American history and culture. Next time you find a coin, see if you can tell what type it is and how much it’s worth. Check your piggy bank or coin jar and see how many different coins you can find!
Coin Hunt Adventure: Go on a coin hunt around your home! Ask an adult to help you find different coins in your piggy bank, wallet, or around the house. Once you have a collection, try to identify each coin by its size, color, and the person or design on it. Can you find all six types of U.S. coins mentioned in the article? Write down or draw what you find and share it with your class!
Coin Rubbing Art: Create a coin rubbing art project. Place a piece of paper over a coin and gently rub a crayon or pencil over it to reveal the design on the paper. Try this with different coins and compare the designs. Which coin has the most interesting design to you? Why do you think these designs were chosen for each coin?
Coin Value Match-Up: Make a fun game to learn the value of each coin. Create cards with pictures of the coins on one side and their values on the other. Mix them up and try to match the coin with its correct value. You can play this game with a friend or family member. How quickly can you match all the coins correctly?
