In the United States, money is more than just something we use to buy things. It also tells us stories about important people in history. Let’s learn about the famous people on U.S. coins and bills and why they are special!
The penny is the smallest coin, and it shows the face of Abraham Lincoln, who was the 16th President. Even though a penny is worth only one cent, it reminds us of Lincoln’s important role in American history.
The nickel is worth five cents and has Thomas Jefferson on it. He was the third President. You can think of a nickel as five pennies put together. Jefferson helped start the United States, and that’s why he’s on this coin.
The dime is worth ten cents and shows Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President. You can make a dime by combining two nickels. Roosevelt was a very important leader during a tough time in history.
The quarter is worth $0.25 and features George Washington, the first President. Imagine it as 25 pennies all in one coin. Washington was a great leader when the country was just starting.
George Washington is also on the one-dollar bill. You can make this bill by putting together four quarters. Washington’s picture on the dollar bill shows how important he is to American history.
The two-dollar bill has Thomas Jefferson on it again. You can make it by combining two one-dollar bills. This bill reminds us of Jefferson’s big role in American history.
Abraham Lincoln is also on the five-dollar bill. You can make this bill by putting together five one-dollar bills. Lincoln’s picture on the five-dollar bill shows how he continues to be important today.
Alexander Hamilton is on the ten-dollar bill. Even though he wasn’t a president, he was a Founding Father and the first Secretary of the Treasury. You can make this bill by combining two five-dollar bills.
Andrew Jackson, the seventh President, is on the twenty-dollar bill. You can make this bill by putting together two ten-dollar bills. Jackson was a strong leader, even though some of his decisions were controversial.
The fifty-dollar bill shows Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President. You can make this bill by combining two twenty-dollar bills and two five-dollar bills. Grant was a leader during the Civil War and as President.
The one hundred dollar bill features Benjamin Franklin. He wasn’t a president, but he was very important in American history. You can make this bill by putting together two fifty-dollar bills. Franklin was a key figure in founding the nation.
The faces on U.S. money tell us stories about leadership and history. Each coin and bill not only helps us buy things but also honors the people who helped shape the United States. Knowing these stories makes us appreciate the money we use every day even more!
Coin and Bill Matching Game: Create a matching game using paper cutouts of coins and bills. On one set of cards, draw or paste pictures of the coins and bills. On another set, write the names of the presidents or historical figures featured on them. Mix them up and try to match each coin or bill with the correct person. This will help you remember who is on each piece of currency!
Money Math Challenge: Use real or play money to practice making different amounts. For example, can you make $0.25 using only nickels? How about making a dollar using different combinations of coins? Try to make $1.00 using quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. This will help you understand the value of each coin and how they add up to make larger amounts.
Presidential Stories: Choose one of the presidents or historical figures from the coins or bills and learn more about them. You can draw a picture of them and write a few sentences about why they are important in American history. Share your drawing and story with your family or classmates to teach them what you learned!
