Do you know how much a penny weighs? What is the diameter of coins? What is the weight of American coins?
Perhaps not! Knowing how much a penny, nickel, or quarter weighs or what their diameters are is not information you need on a daily basis.
In fact, it’s only really useful in a few situations: obscure trivia, homework, odd math problems, or some really detailed smuggling information.
However, our useful tips and tricks may come in handy when learning about precious metals and the value of silver coins and gold coins are worth in the United States.
Anyways, for whatever reason you need to know these facts, here are all the sizes, weights, thicknesses, composition and diameters of all U.S. coins that you may find interesting to know about.
Contents
U.S. Coin Sizes, Weights, & Composition
| Denomination | Value | Weight | Diameter (Width) | Thickness | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penny | $0.01 | 2.5 grams (0.088 oz) | 0.75 in (19.05 mm) | 1.52 mm | Copper Plated Zinc |
| Nickel | $0.05 | 5 grams (0.176 oz) | 0.835 in (21.21 mm) | 1.95 mm | Cupro-Nickel |
| Dime | $0.10 | 2.268 grams (0.08 oz) | 0.705 in (17.91 mm) | 1.35 mm | Cupro-Nickel |
| Quarter | $0.25 | 5.67 grams (0.2 oz) | 0.955 in (24.26 mm) | 1.75 mm | Cupro-Nickel |
| Half Dollar | $0.50 | 11.34 grams (0.40 oz) | 1.205 in. (30.61mm) | 2.15 mm | Cupro-Nickel |
| Dollar Coin | $1.00 | 8.1 grams (0.286 oz) | 1.043 in. (26.49 mm) | 2.00 mm | Manganese-Brass |
Can You Weigh Coins To Count Them?
Weighing coins is an age-old practice that has been used for centuries to count coins. This method of counting coins is fast and easy, however, there are some things to consider before doing so.
Weighing coins can be done with either a balance scale or a digital scale, but each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
If you choose to use a balance scale, you will have the advantage of being able to weigh sacks of coins without having to count them individually.
This makes it ideal for people who collect large amounts of coins such as coin dealers. However, balance scales require precise measurements and could potentially yield inaccurate results if not used accurately.
On the other hand, digital scales are more accurate but may not be suitable for weighing heavier items such as large sacks of coins because they usually have lower weight capacities than balance scales do.
What US Coin Weighs the Most?
The United States has a long and storied history of minting coins, but which one weighs the most? While many of our coins are made with the same metals, some stand out above the rest in terms of weight.
The US coin that is heaviest is the solid gold American Eagle coin.
This gold coin was introduced into circulation in 1986 and is still being produced today by the United States Mint. It was created specifically as an investment vehicle for investors who wanted to accumulate physical gold bullion without paying a premium over the spot price.
The American Eagle comes in four denominations: 1/10 oz., ¼ oz., ½ oz., and 1 oz. Each denomination weighs slightly more than its predecessors, with the 1-ounce American Eagle weighing in at 31.103 grams (1.0909 troy ounces).
Which coin has the largest diameter?
The US coins we use every day come in a variety of sizes, but which one has the largest diameter? It might surprise you to learn that the half-dollar coin is the largest.
The half-dollar coin, also known as a 50-cent piece, is 30.61 mm in diameter and 2.15 mm thick, making it larger than quarters and dimes by more than 1 mm.
This makes it appear noticeably larger when held up to the light or placed next to other coins.
The history of the half-dollar coin dates back to 1794 when it first appeared in circulation as part of the United States Mint’s first official design for its currency system.
Since then, this coin has been used extensively for various commercial transactions and remains a popular choice among collectors today due to its large size and rich historical significance.
Penny Specifications:
How much does a penny weigh?
A penny weighs 2.5 grams (0.088 oz).
However, a penny made before 1982 had a different composition than the modern penny and weighed 3.1 grams.
What is the diameter of a penny?
Since the diameter of a penny is also its width, the width and diameter of a penny are 0.75 inches (19.05 mm).
How thick is a penny?
A penny is 1.52 mm thick.
What are pennies made of?
Nowadays, a penny is made of 97.6% zinc and 2.4% copper.
The composition of a penny has changed over the years. In 1091, when the first Lincoln cent was produced, the penny was made of pure copper.
But because of a copper shortage during World War II, in 1943 the penny was made of zinc-coated steel. Then it was made of 95% copper and 5% zinc. After 1982, the modern composition of 97.6% zinc and 2.4% copper was used.
Nickel Specifications:
How much does a nickel weigh?
The modern nickel weighs 5 grams (0.176 oz).
The buffalo nickel also weighs 5 grams or 0.176 oz.
What is the diameter of a nickel?
A nickel is 0.835 inches (21.21 mm) wide.
An older version of the nickel, the shield nickel, is a little thinner at 0.807 inches (20.5 mm) wide.
How thick is a nickel?
So how big is a nickel? A nickel is 1.95 mm thick.
What are nickels made of?
Nickels are made of a cupronickel mix of 25% nickel and 75% copper.
During a part of World War II (mid-1942 to 1945), because of the metal shortage, the nickel composition changed for a short period of time to:
- 56% copper
- 35% silver
- 9% manganese
Dime Specifications:
How much does a dime weigh?
A dime weighs 2.268 grams (0.08 oz).
What is the diameter of a dime?
A dime is 0.705 inches (17.91 mm) wide.
How thick is a dime?
A dime is 1.35 mm thick.
What are dimes made of?
Dimes are currently made of a cupronickel mix of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel.
However, that wasn’t always the case. Before 1965, the dime was made of 90% silver and 10% copper.
Quarter Specifications:
How much does a quarter weigh?
A quarter weighs 5.67 grams (0.2 oz).
What is the diameter of a quarter?
The quarter’s diameter is 0.955 inches (24.26 mm).
How thick is a quarter?
The thickness of a quarter is 1.75 mm.
What are quarters made of?
Quarters are made of a cupronickel alloy of 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel. However, before 1965, the quarter was made out of 90% silver and 10% copper. This is why any pre-1965 quarters are worth more than 25 cents.
Half Dollar Specifications:
How much does a half dollar weigh?
A half dollar weighs 11.34 grams (0.40 oz).
What is the diameter of a half dollar?
A half dollar is 1.205 inches (30.61mm) wide.
How thick is a half dollar?
A half dollar is 2.15 mm thick.
What are half dollars made of?
Over time, the composition of the half dollar has changed. Pre 1964, the half dollar was composed of 90% silver and 10% copper.
From 1965 to 1970, the half dollar was composed of 40% silver and 60% copper. But since 1971, just like the quarter and dime, the composition of the half dollar changed to a cupronickel alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
Dollar Coin Specifications:
How much does a dollar coin weigh?
A dollar coin weighs 8.1 grams (0.286 oz).
What is the diameter of a dollar coin?
The diameter of a dollar coin is 1.043 inches (26.49 mm).
How thick is a dollar coin?
A dollar coin is 2.00 mm thick.
What are dollar coins made of?
Though the dollar coin is gold-colored, it is not made of gold. The dollar coin is composed of a manganese-brass alloy which is made of 77% copper, 7% manganese, 12% since and 4% nickel.
Pay attention that the Eisenhower dollar coin has different specs.
Helpful Video
Interested in U.S. Coins? Read related helpful resources:
- U.S. Coins: Who’s on them?
- Changing coins to cash fast and hassle-free
- Eisenhower Dollar Coin
- Wikipedia US Coin page
- US Mint coin page
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