Cal’s Coin Trivia Quiz #1.

This is the first, but not the last, of I don’t know how many. Posting interval will vary from one week to decades. Try to answer from your mind or paper sources first before searching your computer or asking Prof. Google.

The questions:

1-1. What was the last U.S. coin to have denticles?

1-2. What was the first coin to have the inscription, “DOLLAR”, on it?

1-3. What U.S. coin has 5 dates on it?

1-4. Name a U.S. coin series where the same dies were used to strike coins in 6 different alloys.

1-5. Name a gold coin struck by a U.S. mint for a foreign country that was not a territory or protectorate of the U.S.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some definitions applicable to the quiz:

A coin is a cast, milled or struck metal, glass or plastic object that, within approximate limits, is a cylinder or right polyhedron, has a design or inscription, and was created by a government as a medium of exchange or has a monetary value inscribed. The object must have a width significantly greater than height. Objects having the foregoing physical characteristics, created under authority of a noble, company or military organization, and widely used as a medium of exchange are also coins. Counterfeits are not coins unless later accepted by governmental or military authorities to be one as described above. Paper, plastic or other fabric currency, stamps, checks, and bonds are not coins even if encased in metal, glass or other hard substance. Objects found in nature, like shells, rocks, gems, and wood, even if carved, stamped, milled, inscribed or otherwise altered, are not coins. Native metals are an exception if processed into a coin as described above.

“U.S.” means United States … the country that began 4 Mar 1789 when the Constitution took effect. “U.S. coin” means a coin minted in a U.S. mint, said mint under the authority of the U.S. Government … colonial, Confederation, Confederate, territorial, private, assay office, etc. don’t count. Objects produced by U.S. mints and designated by the U.S. government as medals are not U.S. coins. Coins produced by U.S. mints for U.S. territories or protectorates, or for foreign governments are not U.S. coins.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I think the answer to 1-2 is the Gobrecht dollars of 1836 to 1839. Not sure of the others without looking them up but I'm thinking that the answer to 1-3 is a commemorative.

 

Nice guess, but it's not it.

Cal

 

I'll give it a shot without using Google.


1: 2006 Old San Francisco mint building commemorative dollar

2: My guess is the 1836 Gorbrecht Dollar even though I already see it's wrong. I don't know.

3: Absolutely no idea. Probably a commemorative. Sounds interesting though.

4: Lincoln cents if patterns are considered.

5: Tough one, IDK the coin but I'll guess it was struck for either Peru or Austria.

 

I can't even answer any, but leaving this comment so I'll get to see the answers.

Upon reading your definitions, I wonder if you're an attorney.

 

Correct on #1! Congratulations. For extra credit, what was the last one before that one to have denticles?

Not correct on the rest. The Lincoln cent only had two alloys from the same dies.

Cal

 

1-3 is the Norfolk Commemorative - 1936 and 1636 I'm sure of, but the other 3 were (IIRC) 1 from the 1600's, 1700's, and 1800's.

 

1938 New Rochelle?

 

You got me flummoxed. But I'm loving the challenge and watching the responses.

Nice thread!

 

Correct! 1936 Norfolk, VA, Bicentennial half dollar. Dates on it are 1636, 1682, 1736, 1845, and 1936. Ironically, it was actually minted in 1937.

 

Another correct one!

Cal

 

Yay, hopefully the answer to #1 will change this year. Looks like Beefer beat me to answering the follow up question.

 

Sorry about that, but it was there staring at me, just begging for the answer!

 

#1-2: The first coin to come out of the US mint with the inscription “DOLLAR” was either the 1793 Lettered Edge Wreath Cent or the 1793 Half Cent, whichever was struck first. I think the 1793 half cent was first struck a bit earlier, but I’m not entirely sure.

 

Completely forgot to even consider edge lettering. Good catch

 

Nice try, but not correct.
Hint: Note that question #2 does not mention U.S.

Cal

 

That makes it pretty tough then. Dollar derives from thaler, but obviously central Europe never used dollars. So I looked through other British colonies, and remembered the 1791 Sierra Leone coins which are denominated in dollars. Pretty sure that's the end of the line.

Question about 1-4, does this include patterns or only circulation-issued coins?

 

You got it! Congratulations
Cal

 

All U.S. coins ... patterns, commems, circulation, business strike, proofs ... should be considered for question 1-4.

Cal

 

Is 1-4 the $4 Stella? I'm not sure if it would be the flowing hair or coiled hair, but that is my guess.