๐ Penny: The Foundation
A penny, sometimes called a cent, is the smallest denomination of US currency. It features Abraham Lincoln on the front (obverse) and the Lincoln Memorial on the back (reverse). Pennies are primarily made of copper-plated zinc.
- ๐ฐ Value: 1 cent ($0.01)
- ๐ช Composition: Copper-plated Zinc
- ๐ค Obverse: Abraham Lincoln
- ๐๏ธ Reverse: Lincoln Memorial
๐ Nickel: Five Times the Penny
A nickel is worth five cents. It features Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and Monticello (Jefferson's home) on the reverse. It's made of an alloy of nickel and copper.
- ๐ฐ Value: 5 cents ($0.05)
- ๐ช Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- ๐ค Obverse: Thomas Jefferson
- ๐ Reverse: Monticello
๐ Dime: Ten Cents Strong
A dime is worth ten cents, making it the highest value coin among the three. It features Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse and a torch, an olive branch, and an oak branch (symbols of liberty, peace, and victory, respectively) on the reverse. It's made of the same alloy as the nickel.
- ๐ฐ Value: 10 cents ($0.10)
- ๐ช Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- ๐ค Obverse: Franklin D. Roosevelt
- ๐ฅ Reverse: Torch, Olive Branch, Oak Branch
๐ Coin Comparison Table
| Feature |
Penny |
Nickel |
Dime |
| Value |
1 cent |
5 cents |
10 cents |
| Obverse |
Abraham Lincoln |
Thomas Jefferson |
Franklin D. Roosevelt |
| Reverse |
Lincoln Memorial |
Monticello |
Torch, Olive Branch, Oak Branch |
| Composition |
Copper-plated Zinc |
75% copper, 25% nickel |
75% copper, 25% nickel |
๐ Key Takeaways
- ๐ข Penny = 1 cent
- โ Nickel = 5 cents (5 x Penny)
- โ Dime = 10 cents (10 x Penny or 2 x Nickel)