At dollar coins are different from others, such as the euro, yen and Argentine peso. For the latter have numbers engraved on them, while the former do not.
On this post
That is, they are identified through drawings, words and phrases.
As Americans have run away from the rule, tourists are confused when they arrive in Orlando.
So, to unravel this mystery, learn here to differentiate from each other. Also, get to know some interesting facts about this American money.
See how to distinguish the value of Dollar coins
Instead of numerals, the amount is spelled out. For example, on the dime, the value is expressed as "one dime".
The term ?cent? (centavo) is only present in two: in those of 1 and 5. However, they have other more popular names, such as ?penny? and "nickel".
So, ahead you will know more about it, including the origin of these nicknames.
How to differentiate 25 and 50 coins
They are recognized as follows:
- ?Quarter dollar? (a quarter of a dollar);
- And ?half dollar? (half a dollar).
For Americans it is easy to tell them apart, after all they have been the same size and shape for years. However, with tourists the story is different.
They question the following: if in most parts of the world they have numbers, why in dollar coins this doesn `t happen? With that in mind, read on.
Not even the American Mint explains this
The United States Mint, which produces the coins, never gave an answer on the matter.
However, in a single occasion, the US embassy in Japan gave a kind of clarification.
In a document, they disclosed the differences between US currencies. But, the same is no longer available to the public.
And even then, why they didn't have numbers wasn't made clear at the time. Anyway, the mystery remains.
Some words must appear on dollar coins
There is a federal law that dictates which phrases must be on coins on a mandatory basis. So, they are:
- ?In God We Trust? (in God we believe);
- ?Liberty? (freedom);
- ?United States of America? (USA);
- And the term in Latin, ?Pluribus Unum? (of many, one).
Still on this law, it also defines:
- The size of the coin;
- Weight;
- Thickness;
- As well as the composition of metals.
In the beginning, the 10 and 25 were made of silver. While the 5's were nickel, that's why people call them "nickel". Those of 1 were copper. Over time, the type of material has changed.
Dollar coins that circulate the least in the United States
If you go there for the first time, don't worry. Yeah, the 50 cents and 1 dollar ones don't circulate much. Thus, the most common ones are one, five, ten and twenty five.
The popular names of each American coin
There is a name engraved on the coins, however, Americans usually call most otherwise.
Undoubtedly, this ends up making tourists even more confused. Therefore, it is necessary to know the most popular way they are called. Check out what they are below:
- 1 cent: ?penny?;
- 5 cents: ?nickel? (a reference to the type of metal used in its manufacture);
- 10 cents: ?dime?;
- 25 cents: ?quarter?;
- 50 cents: ?half?;
- 1 dollar: ?dollar?.
The first two do not have this nomenclature on the coins. But, that's how the Americans named it.
Surely, now that you know that, you'll be more prepared when you arrive in the US.
Learn about the Six Dollar Coins
Values are spelled out. As it happens in Brazil with the real and the cents.
To avoid any confusion while in American lands, learn more details below.
In addition, check out a little of the history of each one and some curious facts as well.
1 cent or ?one cent?
This is the easiest to identify, because its value is written in English. Incidentally, another way to differentiate it from the others is by its color.
After all, she is the only one who is made of copper.
From 1793 to 1837, it was 100% of this type of metal.
However, over time there have been some changes, for example:
- Until 1982, it was composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc;
- More recently, it now has 97.5% of zinc and only 2.5% of copper.
The origin of the term ?penny? on these dollar coins
Everyone calls it that, even though it recorded "one cent". It even has a Nordic origin that comes from the word “penning”. In other countries it has the following nomenclatures:
- Germany: ?pfennig?;
- Sweden: ?penning?;
- Iceland: ?peningur?.
Curiosities about one of the Dollar coins
It was first minted in 1793. From that date until today, more than 300 billion units have been manufactured.
According to the United States Mint, the US government in 2014 cost 1.7 cents to produce it.
Most of them have the image of Abraham Lincoln on one side, the 16th president of the USA.
On the other side is stamped the Lincoln Memorial, a monument in the capital in honor of him.
In the most recent version, from 2010, the monument was replaced by the coat of arms of the union.
5 cent dollar coins
The value is also spelled out. Before ?five cents?, it was known as ?half dime?, that is, half a tithe. Also, it was made of silver, but that changed during the American Civil War.
From 1861 to 1865, this and other noble metals became harder to find.
In this way, it ceased to be produced for a short time.
Soon after, the dollar coins were manufactured again, now in a new material: nickel. So the choice was made under pressure from Joseph Wharton.
He was a great tycoon who owned mines for this specific metal. That's why the Americans call it "nickel".
Today, the coin has Thomas Jefferson's face in the left corner.
By the way, he was the third president of the USA and responsible for the famous Declaration of Independence. On the other hand, on the reverse is Monticello, the castle where he lived.
Ten cents or ?one dime? are one of the dollar coins
This is one of the most confusing for those who don't know her well. Namely, tourists.
This happens because of its name and size. After all, she is the smallest of all in weight and diameter.
It's not out of this world to assume that it has the minimum value (one penny). Since she has the ?one? (one) brother-in-law and is also the smallest coin.
To complicate matters even more, the term ?dime? that has nothing to do with pennies or ten.
The origin of this name on dollar coins
Its meaning is tithe, the tenth part in Latin. Therefore, 10/100 avos or ten cents. No doubt it would be easier if they wrote "ten cents".
However, tradition explains this fact.
The first coin produced was made of silver. Thus, its weight was the equivalent of one tenth of a dollar. Therefore, ?one dime?.
Regarding its designs, one side has the profile of Franklin D. Roosevelt. That is, the 32nd president of the United States. On the other, there is a torch surrounded by olive and oak branches.
25 cents or ?quarter dollar?
This is one of dollar coins famous and one of the most circulated. Also, there is no mystery, a quarter of a dollar equals 25 cents.
On one side it has the profile of George Washington, the famous first president of the USA. While on the back, it has an eagle with its wings open, on two branches of olive trees. This bird is the symbol of the country.
They get special editions every year
For those who collect this object as a hobby, you will be pleased to know this. The American Mint releases annual commemorative versions.
In this way, it is a way of honoring the 50 states of the country.
They circulate normally as the dollar coins conventional. Each year, different state tourist attractions are engraved on the reverse of the same.
An example is that in 2011, they made national parks. But it has also been made up of animals and other elements of American culture.
50 cents or ?half dollar?
The current half-dollar coin features the face of John F. Kennedy, the 35th US president. On the other hand, on its reverse, there is its presidential coat of arms.
Several other images have already been highlighted. However, since 1964, Kennedy's effigy has been minted there.
Incidentally, it was the year before this that he was murdered in Texas. Without a doubt, he was one of the greatest personalities of the 20th century.
The choice to honor him came from his wife, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.
Thus, the decision was taken days after the tragic death of John F.
It ended up replacing the face of Benjamin Franklin, one of the main leaders of the American Revolution.
One dollar or ?one dollar?
This is the only exception among all the dollar coins. Yeah, the latest versions are coming with the number 1, but very small.
Several different models have already been on the market, but only now with the coined numeral.
The type currently in circulation honors the Indians. Therefore, the recorded image is of an Indian woman holding her baby.
The most popular versions of the dollar
The most successful, of course, was with the figure of the suffragist Susan B. Anthony. She fought for the female vote, among other rights.
Thus, she was the first woman to have her face stamped on these dollar coins.
This happened between 1979 and 1981, then in 1999 as well. In addition to her, another outstanding personality was Eisenhower.
Its profile was the highlight from 1971 to 1978. In fact, the size and weight of the coin were larger than normal.
On the obverse was the figure of the 34th US president, while on the reverse there was a reference to the Apollo 11 mission. However, from 1975 to 1976, another version emerged, with the image of the Liberty Bell and a moon in the background.
The latest of the Dollar coins
It began circulating in 2006 and honors the 45 presidents of the United States. This was a way found to attract the interest of the Americans.
However, there are two restrictions:
- You can't have one with the likeness of a living president;
- And even if he died less than two years ago.
Facts about US Dollar Coins
There are some interesting facts about them. The first is that, as already mentioned, some specific phrases and words must be coined in them.
Thus, it is believed that the numbers do not appear, perhaps due to lack of space.
The second is that we U.S, changes and payments are made in the exact amount. That is, it is different from Brazil, where they are often rounded.
So, when you buy something there, know that you will get a penny back, if applicable.
Lastly, in 2014, the American Mint disclosed that it costs 1.7 cents to mint a 1 coin. This means that they invest 70% more than what the coin is worth.
United States of America Dollar Coins
Only those who have had some of them in their hands know how confusing it can be to understand their values. For this reason, the purpose of this article was to show how to differentiate them.
So that you don't embarrass yourself when traveling to the USA.
They were first minted in 1792 at the Philadelphia Mint. Then, from that, several versions emerged across the country.
Thus, billions of coins are manufactured every year in the following places, in addition to the aforementioned:
- Denver;
- San Francisco;
- And West Point.
Now you can no longer confuse pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and more. This way, you will know which one to pay and which one you will receive in change.
As you have seen, there is a lot of history and curious facts about the dollar coins. Therefore, they are not simple metal objects, they go much further than that.
I hope again that this post helped you in your research for your trip to Disney or Orlando.
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About the Author Carlos Braga:
Unparalleled experience in Orlando and Disney! As a former Universal Orlando team member and a passionate devotee of the magic of Disney, I have become a true Orlando travel expert. Before becoming a renowned travel consultant dedicated to Orlando, I had already made hundreds of visits to the parks, cultivating my knowledge and passion mainly over the last 7 years as a consultant and specialist in Disney travel.
My journey into this enchanted world began in 1995, when I took my first trip to Orlando. Since then, my love for Disney and the city has only grown. In 2023, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of 'Partiu Disney Parks', consolidating our role as one of the main sources of information about Disney and Orlando Parks.
During these six years of existence, we have continued to offer quality and updated content, being the reliable source for all those looking for essential information to plan their trip to Disney and Orlando. With my vast experience and passion for this magical destination, I am here to guide you every step of the way towards the most incredible Orlando and Disney experience!
