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lindsey_benson Jan 20, 2026 โ€ข 0 views

Difference Between a Penny and a Nickel Explained

Hey there! ๐Ÿ‘‹ Ever get mixed up between a penny and a nickel? ๐Ÿค” They're both coins, but they're definitely not the same! Let's break it down so you'll always know the difference. Think of this as your cheat sheet to becoming a coin expert!
๐Ÿงฎ Mathematics

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โœ… Best Answer

๐Ÿ“š What is a Penny?

A penny is a United States coin worth one cent ($0.01). It features Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President, on the front (obverse) and the Lincoln Memorial or a Union Shield on the back (reverse).

๐Ÿช™ What is a Nickel?

A nickel is a United States coin worth five cents ($0.05). It features Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd U.S. President, on the front (obverse) and Monticello, Jefferson's home, on the back (reverse).

๐Ÿ“Š Penny vs. Nickel: A Detailed Comparison

Feature Penny Nickel
Value $0.01 (One Cent) $0.05 (Five Cents)
President Abraham Lincoln Thomas Jefferson
Reverse Image Lincoln Memorial / Union Shield Monticello
Color Copper (Brownish-Red) Silver (Grayish-White)
Composition Copper-plated Zinc 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Weight 2.5 grams 5.0 grams
Size 19.05 mm (0.75 inches) 21.21 mm (0.835 inches)

๐Ÿš€ Key Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Value: A penny is worth one cent, while a nickel is worth five cents.
  • ๐ŸŽจ Color: A penny has a copper color, and a nickel has a silver color.
  • โš–๏ธ Weight: A nickel is heavier than a penny (5.0 grams vs. 2.5 grams).
  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€โš–๏ธ Presidents: The penny features Abraham Lincoln, while the nickel features Thomas Jefferson.
  • ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Reverse Image: The penny displays the Lincoln Memorial or Union Shield, and the nickel displays Monticello.
  • ๐Ÿ“ Size: A nickel is slightly bigger than a penny.
  • ๐Ÿง Composition: Pennies are mostly zinc with a copper plating, while nickels are 75% copper and 25% nickel.

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