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Do You Know US Coins? Trivia Quiz

A general quiz on US coinage that tests how much you know.

A multiple-choice quiz by natus_magnus. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
natus_magnus

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
231,460

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
952

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. An eagle has been featured on the reverse of many US coins. Which type of regular issue quarter was the first to NOT have an eagle on the reverse? Hint

State Quarter

Capped Bust

Bicentennial Quarter

Liberty Seated Var. II

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Question 2 of 10

2. The first double eagle bears what date? Hint

1832

1803

1849

1794

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Question 3 of 10

3. How many mints have struck US coinage? Hint

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Question 4 of 10

4. Both early Buffalo Nickels and early Standing Liberty Quarters are hard to find because? Hint

They were not originally popular, and few people saved them.

The Great Depression caused many collectors to spend these old coins until they were unidentifiable.

The dates were placed high on the design, causing them to be worn off.

The early dates are almost all low mintage.

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Question 5 of 10

5. Time for an easier one. In 1965, the mint debased the silver coinage and replaced them with copper-nickel coinage. On which denomination was the change not fully completed until 1971? Hint

Quarter

Silver Dollar

Dime

Half Dollar

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is the only US coin to be devalued? Hint

Half Cents

All gold coins

Trade Dollar

1913 Liberty Head Nickel

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Question 7 of 10

7. Why are all US gold coins made prior to the 1830's very rare? Hint

European mercantilism removed most gold from America back to Europe were it was melted and re-coined.

The government was financially weak and did not have much gold for coinage.

The value of the gold in the coins was greater than its face value. Consequently, most were melted by members of the public.

Gold was readily used in circulation. The coins were used until worn out, melted, and re-coined.

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Question 8 of 10

8. The first Proof Set made for the public was dated. Hint

1936

1942

1934

1950

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Question 9 of 10

9. The first commemorative silver dollar was? Hint

LaFayette Dollar

Isabella Dollar

McKinley Dollar

Pilgrim Dollar

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which mint is the only one to have a mintmark that is a vowel? Hint

New Orleans

Annapolis

Charlotte

Carson City

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. An eagle has been featured on the reverse of many US coins. Which type of regular issue quarter was the first to NOT have an eagle on the reverse?

Answer: Bicentennial Quarter

In 1976, the US mint struck a quarter to commemorate the 200th anniversary of our country. It was the first time that an eagle was not the main device on the reverse of the quarter.

2. The first double eagle bears what date?

Answer: 1849

The mint struck two pattern double eagles before it began regular production of this coin in 1850. Of the two patterns, one is lost and the other one is one of the feature exhibits in the Smithsonian in Washington. A must see if you are ever there.

3. How many mints have struck US coinage?

Answer: 8

Charlotte, N.C. (1838-1861); Carson City, NV (1870-1893); Dahlonega, GA (1838-1861); Denver, CO (1906-date); New Orleans, LA (1838-1909); Philadelphia, PA (1793-date); San Francisco, CA (1854-date); West Point (1984-date).

4. Both early Buffalo Nickels and early Standing Liberty Quarters are hard to find because?

Answer: The dates were placed high on the design, causing them to be worn off.

Both Buffalo Nickels and early Standing Liberty Quarters suffer from their date wearing off. In 1925 halfway through its mintage, the Standing Liberty Quarter was redesigned with a lower date. Even now, many of these coins are seen as "no daters." The high number of the early coins being unidentifiable has caused some of the early dates to be quite scarce.

5. Time for an easier one. In 1965, the mint debased the silver coinage and replaced them with copper-nickel coinage. On which denomination was the change not fully completed until 1971?

Answer: Half Dollar

The half dollar between 1965 and 1970, are called 40%'ers in the bullion market in reference to their lower silver content as compared to the earlier 90%.

6. What is the only US coin to be devalued?

Answer: Trade Dollar

The trade dollar was intended for trade in the Orient to compete with European dollar-sized silver coins. When the world price of silver dropped, Congress repealed the law authorizing them and devalued them.

7. Why are all US gold coins made prior to the 1830's very rare?

Answer: The value of the gold in the coins was greater than its face value. Consequently, most were melted by members of the public.

Congress unintentionally ensured the destruction of most gold coins when they tried to make the coin's intrinsic value equal to its face value. A couple years later, the value of gold had risen--making the gold in the coin worth more than its face value. Most of the coins that were minted were immediately shipped overseas and melted. Upwards of 95% of the total mintage for some dates may have been melted.

In 1837, Congress readjusted the value, and the problem was fixed.

8. The first Proof Set made for the public was dated.

Answer: 1936

The proof sets were first made for the public from 1936-1942. They discontinued making them for a brief time and then started minting them in 1950 and have made them ever since. (Except for the proof-like sets of 1965-1967.)

9. The first commemorative silver dollar was?

Answer: LaFayette Dollar

The McKinley Dollar was struck after the LaFayette Dollar (also it was made out of gold.)
The Isabella Quarter was struck in 1893, but it was a quarter.
The Pilgrim is a popular half dollar.

10. Which mint is the only one to have a mintmark that is a vowel?

Answer: New Orleans

The New Orleans mint had an "O."
Charlotte had a "C."
Annapolis never was a mint.
Carson City has a "CC."

Source: Author natus_magnus

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ozzz2002 before going online.
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