US Coin Values: A Quick Guide for Kids

Have you ever wondered how much a penny is worth? Or how many nickels equal a dollar? This guide will help you understand the value of US coins, so you can confidently handle your own money!

The Penny

The penny, or one-cent piece, is the smallest denomination of US currency. It features Abraham Lincoln on the front and the Lincoln Memorial on the back. A penny is worth 1/100 of a dollar.

The Nickel

The nickel, or five-cent piece, is worth five pennies. It features Thomas Jefferson on the front and Monticello, his home, on the back. A nickel is worth 5/100 of a dollar, or 1/20 of a dollar.

The Dime

The dime, or ten-cent piece, is worth ten pennies, or two nickels. It features Franklin D. Roosevelt on the front and a torch, an olive branch, and an oak leaf on the back. A dime is worth 10/100 of a dollar, or 1/10 of a dollar.

The Quarter

The quarter, or twenty-five-cent piece, is worth twenty-five pennies, or five nickels. It features George Washington on the front and a bald eagle on the back. A quarter is worth 25/100 of a dollar, or 1/4 of a dollar.

The Half-Dollar

The half-dollar, or fifty-cent piece, is worth fifty pennies, or ten nickels. It features John F. Kennedy on the front and the presidential seal on the back. A half-dollar is worth 50/100 of a dollar, or 1/2 of a dollar.

The Dollar Coin

The dollar coin is worth one hundred pennies, or twenty nickels. It features Sacagawea and her baby, Jean Baptiste, on the front and a depiction of the Louisiana Purchase on the back. A dollar coin is worth 100/100 of a dollar, or one dollar.

Putting It All Together

Now that you know the value of each coin, you can start to understand how to use them. For example, if you have two quarters, you have 50 cents. Or if you have five dimes, you have 50 cents.

Try practicing counting different combinations of coins. You'll be a money-counting pro in no time!