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United States Currency Trivia Quiz

This quiz will show you how much you really know about money.

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

Author
adoant

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
77,611

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1614

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the average life span of an American $1 bill? Hint

18 weeks

Six months

Five years

Two years

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the average life span of the $50 and $100 bills? Hint

36 Months

9 Years

5 Years

12 Years

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the largest denomination of banknote ever issued in the USA? Hint

$500,000

$500

$10,000

$100,000

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Question 4 of 10

4. When did Congress create the U.S. Mint? Hint

April 2, 1789

April 2, 1791

April 2, 1790

April 2, 1792

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who is pictured on the 1934 series $500 bill? Hint

William McKinley

Thomas Jefferson

Grover Cleveland

Woodrow Wilson

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Question 6 of 10

6. Why do some coins have reeded edges? Hint

Easier to identify

Easier to pick up

Deter counterfeiting

Easier to stack

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Question 7 of 10

7. How many coins did the U.S. Mint make each day in 2005? Hint

65 million

15.5 million

52.5 million

142.5 million

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the main metal used in making pennies? Hint

Copper

Zinc

Bronze

Steel

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Question 9 of 10

9. In the US, about how long do coins generally last when they are in regular use? Hint

25-50 years

Over 100 years

Less than 10 years

Forever

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who is on the half-dollar coin? Hint

McKinley

Eisenhower

Kennedy

Roosevelt

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the average life span of an American $1 bill?

Answer: Five years

The Federal Reserve says the average life of a $1 bill in circulation is just over five years before it needs to be replaced because of natural wear and tear.

2. What is the average life span of the $50 and $100 bills?

Answer: 9 Years

Now they're really pushing it.

3. What was the largest denomination of banknote ever issued in the USA?

Answer: $100,000

The $100,000 gold certificate was printed in 1934. It was never placed into circulation. It was issued only to Federal Reserve Banks.

4. When did Congress create the U.S. Mint?

Answer: April 2, 1792

Congress approved the Coinage Act, authorizing the first US Mint. Constructed in Philadelphia, the Mint's original coins were made of gold, silver, and copper.

5. Who is pictured on the 1934 series $500 bill?

Answer: William McKinley

President William McKinley was assassinated on September 6, 1901. He was attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.

6. Why do some coins have reeded edges?

Answer: Deter counterfeiting

The dollar, half-dollar, quarter, and ten-cent coin denominations were originally produced from precious metal (silver, though at one time there were also some gold $1 coins). Reeded edges were eventually incorporated into the design of these denominations to deter counterfeiting and the fraudulent use of the coins, such as filing down the edges in an attempt to recover the precious metals.

7. How many coins did the U.S. Mint make each day in 2005?

Answer: 52.5 million

While the Mint produces most of the coins in Philadelphia and Denver, it also produces some coins in San Francisco and West Point, New York.

8. What is the main metal used in making pennies?

Answer: Zinc

During the last 300 years, there have been six different recipes for making pennies. The first ones were large coins made of pure copper. Today's pennies are mostly zinc, though they are plated with copper.

9. In the US, about how long do coins generally last when they are in regular use?

Answer: 25-50 years

Clearly, the precise longevity varies, but 25-50 years is usual.

10. Who is on the half-dollar coin?

Answer: Kennedy

Kennedy has appeared on the half-dollar since 1964. Eisenhower appeared on the dollar coin from 1971 to 1978. Roosevelt appears on the dime.

Source: Author adoant

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