The following table gives specifications for U.S. Mint legal tender coins presently in circulation.
Denomination
|
Cent
|
Nickel
|
Dime
|
Quarter
|
Half Dollar
|
Dollar
|
Golden Dollar
|
Obverse
|
Lincoln
|
Jefferson
|
Roosevelt
|
Washington
|
Kennedy
|
Susan B. Anthony
|
Sacagawea
and
Infant Son
|
Date of Issue
|
1909
|
1938
|
1946
|
1932
|
1964
|
1979,1980,1999
|
2000
|
Designed By
|
V.D. Brenner
|
Felix Schlag
|
John R. Sinnock
|
John Flannagan
|
Gilroy Roberts
|
Frank Gasparro
|
Glenna Goodacre
|
Designer's Initial
|
VDB,
FG (1959+)
|
FS
|
JS
|
JF
|
GR
|
FG
|
GG
|
Reverse
|
Lincoln Memorial
|
Monticello
|
Torch, Olive Branch, Oak Branch
|
Eagle
|
Presidential Coat of Arms
|
Apollo 11 Insignia, Eagle
|
Eagle In Flight
|
Date of Issue
|
1959
|
1938
|
1946
|
1932*
|
1964*
|
1979,1980,1999
|
2000
|
Designed By
|
Frank Gasparro
|
Felix Schlag
|
John R. Sinnock
|
John Flannagan
|
Frank Gasparro
|
Frank Gasparro
|
Thomas D. Rogers
|
Composition
|
Copper Plated Zinc
2.5% Cu
Balance Zn
|
Cupro-Nickel
25% Ni
Balance Cu
|
Cupro-Nickel
8.33% Ni
Balance Cu
|
Cupro-Nickel
8.33% Ni
Balance Cu
|
Cupro-Nickel
8.33% Ni
Balance Cu
|
Cupro-Nickel
12.5% Ni
Balance Cu
|
Manganese-Brass
88.5% Cu
6% Zn
3.5% Mn
2% Ni
|
Weight
|
2.500 g
|
5.000 g
|
2.268 g
|
5.670 g
|
11.340 g
|
8.1 g
|
8.1 g
|
Diameter
|
0.750 in.
19.05 mm
|
0.835 in.
21.21 mm
|
O.705 in.
17.91 mm
|
O.955 in.
24.26 mm
|
1.205 in.
30.61 mm
|
1.04 in.
26.50 mm
|
1.043 in.
26.5 mm
|
Thickness
|
1.55 mm
|
1.95 mm
|
1.35 mm
|
1.75 mm
|
2.15 mm
|
2.00mm
|
2.00 mm
|
Edge
|
Plain
|
Plain
|
Reeded
|
Reeded
|
Reeded
|
Reeded
|
Plain
|
No. of Reeds
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
118
|
119
|
150
|
133
|
N/A
|
* 1975-1976 Bicentennial reverses were minted.
These coins are dated 1776-1976; none were individually dated 1975 or 1976.
The double date of 1776-1976, with a temporary Bicentennial reverse, was carried on the Quarter (Colonial Drummer), Half Dollar (Independence Hall), and Eisenhower Dollar (Liberty Bell/Moon).
The Eisenhower Dollar (1971-1978) carried the Bicentennial Reverse in 1975 and 1976.
- Life Span:
The approximate life span of a coin is 30 years.
- Mutilated Coins:
United States Coins no longer fit for circulation are classified as "uncurrent" or mutilated.
- Uncurrent coins are coins that are worn yet recognizable as to genuineness and denomination, and are machine countable.
Uncurrent coins are redeemed by the Federal Reserve Banks, then forwarded to the Mint for disposition.
- Mutilated coins are coins that are chipped, fused and not machine countable.
Mutilated coins are only redeemable through the United States Philadelphia Mint facility.
All uncurrent or mutilated coins received by the Mint are melted and reused in the manufacture of coinage strips.
|