Quick trivia

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by National dealer, Jun 21, 2004.

  1. National dealer

    National dealer New Member

    1. How many denominations have appeared on circulating US coinage?

    2. Which metals have been used on circulating US coinage?

    3. Who suggested the words "In God We Trust" on US coinage?

    4. What was the last coin to add the legend "In God We Trust"?

    5. What was the shortest US circulating coin?

    6. What legends are required on all US coins?

    Bonus question.

    How many coins were minted without a denomination written?
    What are they?
     
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  3. satootoko

    satootoko Retired

    15 counting both the half dime and the 5¢ nickle:

    1/2 cent
    cent
    2 cent
    3 cent
    5 cent nickle
    half dime
    dime
    quarter
    half dollar
    dollar
    $2-1/2
    $3
    $5
    $10
    $20

    Sub-question: If you eliminate the limitation to "circulating coinage" how many denominations do you add, and what are they?
     
  4. National dealer

    National dealer New Member

    You forgot one circulating denomination. The 20 cent coin.

    Sub-question

    4............. $4, $25, $50, $100.

    2 for fractional gold coinage
     
  5. rbm86

    rbm86 Coin Hoarder

    You are missing the 20 cent piece! :D

    Also, if you count half dime and 5 cent nickle as separate denoms, you should also count:
    3-cent nickel and 3-cent silver
    Silver Dollar and Gold dollar

    So, my answer is 15, counting the 3 cent, 5 cent and $1 denoms once,

    and 18, counting 3 cent silver/nickel, half dime / 5 cent nickel, $1 gold/silver

     
  6. rbm86

    rbm86 Coin Hoarder

     
  7. National dealer

    National dealer New Member

    Tin?

    The others are correct.
     
  8. rbm86

    rbm86 Coin Hoarder

    4. Nickel, 1938?

    5. Chain Large Cent (1793 Only)?

    6. Liberty, In God We Trust, E Plurbius Unum, United States of America

    Bonus:

    Draped Bust Silver - 5, 10, 25, 50, $1
    Capped Bust Gold - 2.5, 5, 10

    That makes 8 - unless you want to count small/heraldic eagles as separate -- Can't think of any others


     
  9. rbm86

    rbm86 Coin Hoarder

    I think tin is an alloy of copper and zinc, so it is redundant :D

     
  10. National dealer

    National dealer New Member

    Number 4 is correct

    Number 5 I should have been more specific. Which series is shortest.

    Number 6 correct so far, but you missed a couple.
     
  11. rbm86

    rbm86 Coin Hoarder

    5. Flying Eagle Cent? (1857-58). All the rare 1856s are patterns, even though some circulated.

    6. Three cent silver and nickel? "III" is on reverse but no "cents"

     
  12. National dealer

    National dealer New Member

  13. joecoin

    joecoin New Member

    There is speculation that the first 600 and some 1856 Flying Eagle cents were patterns, handed out as samples to members of Congress and assorted other big shots. The remainder of the 1856's were ostensibly coined in 1858 and perhaps even into 1859.
     
  14. National dealer

    National dealer New Member

    No one going to take a shot at number 3?
     
  15. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator


    I guess enough folks have had a shot at it - it was Rev. M. R. Watkinson, a minister from Ridleyville, Pennsylvania who started it all. But the exact phrase was coined by Salmon P. Chase.
     
  16. National dealer

    National dealer New Member

    Very good job sir.

    Now what was the original phrase?

    For anyone searching, look for the pattern 2 cent piece of 1863
     
  17. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    The Rev. Watkinson proposed this - GOD, LIBERTY, LAW

    James Pollock, Director of the Mint proposed this - OUR COUNTRY; OUR GOD or GOD, OUR TRUST

    Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase directed Mr. Pollock to change it to this - IN GOD WE TRUST
     
  18. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    OK Nd - now here's one for you regarding this topic ;)

    So far we have discussed the origin of the phrase - In God Is Our Trust -and how it came to be on our coins ( albeit changed slightly ) back in the 1860's. But the reality is that the phrase goes back much further into our Nation's roots. Problem is - most folks have forgotten that - even numismatists.

    So - can you tell me an even older origin of the phrase ?

    A hint - the answer can be found in something that every child learns. You're gonna kick yourself when I tell ya the answer if you can't answer this :D

    And if you really want to get right down to it - it can be traced all the way back to the very beginning of the USA. I'll explain that part later ;)
     
  19. National dealer

    National dealer New Member

    Very tough indeed.
    First thought jumps to Pledge of Allegiance, but when written in 1892 the phrase "Under God" was absent. Not appearing until 1954.
    What through me off was your statement about every child learning this.
    While I may not be correct in my answer, here is the earliest form of the connection between God and the US.

    Our fathers' God! To Thee,
    Author of liberty,
    To Thee we sing.
    Long may our land be bright
    With freedom's holy light;
    Protect us by Thy might,
    Great God our king.

    Another thought, but I can't seem to find the exact referrence, but Almost a century and a half ago, 11 Protestant denominations mounted a campaign to add references to God to the U.S. Constitution and other federal documents.

    That is all I can remember.
     
  20. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Ever hear of the "Star Spangled Banner" ? Told ya you'd kick yourself :D

    Francis Scott Key wrote it in 1814. The words of the third from the last line of the fourth stanza are - "And this is our motto - 'In God is our Trust!" Now somebody will say those words are not in our National Anthem. But "The Star Spangled Banner" is actually a poem that was put to music. And only the first stanza of the poem was used in the song.

    And the part I said I'd explain later - There were 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 - the very beginning of our nation. This is the pledge that those 56 men made -

    "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."

    It seems rather hard to argue that "In God We Trust" and "firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence" do not convey the same meaning. And how much further back can you go into our nation's heritage than the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

    So the next time that somebody tells you that the reference to God when used in conjunction with a mention of the US Govt. is a modern convention - explain to them just why it is not ;) It has been here since day one !
     
  21. National dealer

    National dealer New Member

    I did not even consider the star bangled banner. DUH.
    Good trivia :D
     
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