United States coinage
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Image:2005 U.S. Proof Coins.jpg Image:2005 State Quarters.jpg
Circulating United States currency currently includes six denominations of United States coinage (or specie): $0.01, 0.05, $0.10, $0.25, $0.50 and $1.00. All are produced by the United States Mint, which sells them to the United States Federal Reserve Banks, who are responsible for putting coins into circulation and withdrawing them from circulation, as demanded by the economy.
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 | President Abraham Lincoln | Lincoln Memorial |
| Five-cent coin (popularly known as a nickel) | $0.05 | President Thomas Jefferson | Monticello (1938-2003) Westward Journey Series (2004-2005) |
| Dime | $0.10 | President Franklin D. Roosevelt | Torch, oak branch, olive branch |
| Quarter | $0.25 | President George Washington | Perched Bald Eagle (1965-1999) † ‡ State Quarter Series (1999-2008) |
| Half-dollar | $0.50 | President John F. Kennedy | Great Seal of the United States surrounded by 50 stars ‡ |
| Dollar | $1.00 | President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1971-1978) Susan B. Anthony (1979-1999) Sacagawea (2000-present) | Bald Eagle on Moon ‡ Bald Eagle on Moon Bald Eagle in flight |
Note:
†: The perched Bald Eagle first appreared on quarters in 1932. However, all coins
minted prior 1965 were removed from circulation due to their silver content.
‡: In 1975 and 1976 bicentennial coinage was minted. Coins were dated 1776-1976.
The quarter featured a Colonial Drummer, the half dollar Independence Hall, and the
dollar coin featured the Liberty Bell superimposed on the Moon.
Bullion coins
Main articles: American Gold Eagle, American Platinum Eagle, American Silver Eagle
Non-circulating bullion coins are also produced by the United States Mint. The face value of these coins is symbolic and does not actually reflect the value of the precious metal contained in these coins.
American Silver Eagle
- $1, one troy ounce (~31 grams) silver
American Gold Eagle
- $5, tenth troy ounce (~3 grams) gold
- $10, quarter troy ounce (~7.8 grams) gold
- $25, half troy ounce (~15.5 grams) gold
- $50, one troy ounce (~31 grams) gold
American Platinum Eagle
- $10, tenth troy ounce (~3 grams) platinum
- $25, quarter troy ounce (~7.8 grams) platinum
- $50, half troy ounce (~15.5 grams) platinum
- $100, one troy ounce (~31 grams) platinum
Note: 1 troy ounce = 31.1034768 grams.
Obsolete denominations
- Half cent
- Two-cent piece
- Three-cent piece (silver and nickel varieties)
- Half dime
- Twenty-cent piece
- 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"
- Fifty-dollar coin or "Half Union" (Comemorative only, California territorial gold, pattern piece)
Note: 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).
External links
- United States Mint
- Page of 1792 Mint and Coinage Act (Describes the first completely regulated U.S. coinage system.)
- What have they done to our coins? - An article visually exploring recent changes to US modern coin designs
| United States currency and coinage |
| Topics: Federal Reserve Note | United States Note | United States coinage | United States dollar |
| Currency: $1 | $2 | $5 | $10 | $20 | $50 | $100 | Larger denominations |
| Coinage: Cent | Nickel | Dime | Quarter | Half Dollar | Dollar |
