United States coinage

The denominations of currently circulating United States coins are:

One-cent coin (popularly called "penny"), $0.01 (Abraham Lincoln) [ Lincoln Memorial ]
Five-cent coin ("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 (Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1971 to 1978, Susan B. Anthony from 1979 to 1999, and Sacagawea since 2000) [ Eagle in flight ]

All coins are fractions of the United States dollar and are created by the United States Mint.

Several non-circulating bullion coins are also produced by the United States Mint:

Hundred-dollar bullion coin, $100, one troy ounce (31 g) platinum
Fifty-dollar bullion coin, $50, half troy ounce (16 g) platinum
Fifty-dollar bullion coin, $50, one troy ounce (31 g) gold
Twenty-five-dollar bullion coin, $25, half troy ounce (16 g) gold
Twenty-five-dollar bullion coin, $25, quarter troy ounce (8 g) platinum
Ten-dollar bullion coin, $10, tenth troy ounce (3 g) platinum
Ten-dollar bullion coin, $10, quarter troy ounce (8 g) gold
Five-dollar bullion coin, $5, tenth troy ounce (3 g) gold
One-dollar bullion coin, $1, one troy ounce (31 g) silver

Historical denominations of United States coins, which no longer circulate, include:

Half-cent coin
Two-cent coin
Three-cent coin
Half dime coin
Twenty-cent coin
Two-and-one-half dollar coin or "quarter-eagle"
Three-dollar coin
Four-dollar coin
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.)

United States currency and coinage

Topics: Federal Reserve note | United States Notes | United States coinage | United States dollar

Currency: $1 | $2 | $5 | $10 | $20 | $50 | $100 | Larger denominations