Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Lifestyle & Hobbies > Hobbies & Leisure

Coin Trivia Quiz - Test Your Numismatic Skills Now!

Take our coin collecting quiz and conquer fun coin trivia questions!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style coins quiz elements on golden yellow background inviting coin trivia challenge

Ready to prove your coin trivia prowess? Our quick coin collecting quiz is designed for history buffs, numismatic aficionados, and curious quiz-lovers alike. You'll tackle coin trivia questions spanning ancient coin quiz puzzles to modern minting secrets, sharpening your numismatic trivia knowledge in minutes. You'll journey from ancient Greek drachmas to modern commemoratives, uncovering the history stamped into each coin. This engaging numismatic trivia challenge will not only test your knowledge but also teach you quirky facts - did you know some coins once doubled as propaganda tools? Ready for the test? Jump into our coin quiz now, and for bonus fun, explore more money trivia questions !

On which U.S. coin would you find the image of Abraham Lincoln?
Penny (one-cent coin)
Nickel (five-cent coin)
Dime (ten-cent coin)
Quarter (twenty-five-cent coin)
Abraham Lincoln has appeared on the U.S. penny since 1909 to commemorate his centennial birth. It was the first time a real person was featured on a regular-issue U.S. coin. Lincoln’s portrait replaced the Indian Head design on the obverse. US Mint
A dime is worth how many cents?
5 cents
10 cents
25 cents
50 cents
The U.S. dime has a face value of ten cents, making it one-tenth of a dollar. It is the smallest in diameter of all U.S. coins currently minted. The word “dime” comes from the Latin word decima, meaning “tenth part.” US Mint Coin Specifications
Which U.S. coin has a face value of one dollar?
Half dollar
Sacagawea dollar
Quarter
Two-dollar bill
The Sacagawea dollar, introduced in 2000, is a one-dollar coin featuring the Shoshone guide Sacagawea. It circulates alongside the paper dollar and is made of a manganese-brass alloy. Several other dollar coins include the Eisenhower dollar and Presidential dollars. US Mint Dollars
Pennies minted after 1982 are primarily made of what metal?
Copper
Zinc
Steel
Nickel
Since mid-1982, U.S. pennies have been struck on a zinc core with a thin copper plating to reduce production costs. Before this change, pennies were 95% copper. The composition change helped conserve copper and save billions of taxpayer dollars. US Mint History
Which president appears on the U.S. quarter?
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Andrew Jackson
George Washington has appeared on the U.S. quarter obverse since 1932, marking the 200th anniversary of his birth. The design by John Flanagan has been modified over time, especially during the 50 State Quarters program. Washington’s profile remains a constant element of the quarter. US Mint State Quarters
What is the face value of a Kennedy half dollar?
25 cents
50 cents
75 cents
One dollar
The Kennedy half dollar, first minted in 1964, has a face value of fifty cents. It was issued in honor of President John F. Kennedy following his assassination. While still legal tender, it is often collected rather than circulated. US Mint Half Dollar
Which U.S. coin has a plain edge and is worth five cents?
Dime
Penny
Nickel
Quarter
The U.S. nickel has a face value of five cents and features a plain, smooth edge. It has been struck in a copper-nickel alloy since 1866. Nickels are heavier and larger than dimes despite having a lower face value. US Mint Circulating Coins
What is the edge type of most U.S. dimes?
Plain
Reeded
Lettered
Decorative
Modern U.S. dimes feature a reeded edge with closely spaced grooves. The reeding was originally intended to deter counterfeiting and make it easy to detect if silver was shaved off. This design element dates back to early coinage and remains in use today. US Mint Specifications
What term describes a coin that has never been in circulation and shows no wear?
Proof
Uncirculated
Brilliant
Frosted
An uncirculated coin is one that has not been used in commerce and shows no wear. These coins often retain full mint luster and sharp details. Collectors value uncirculated coins for their pristine condition. PCGS Guide
Which grading scale, named after its creator, is used to grade coins from 1 to 70?
Friedberg Scale
Sheldon Scale
Morgan Scale
Lepanto Scale
The Sheldon scale, developed by Dr. William Sheldon in 1949, grades coins on a numeric scale from 1 (poor) to 70 (perfect). It is the standard grading system used by most major grading services. The scale helps collectors compare coin conditions objectively. PCGS Grading Scale
Which U.S. Mint facility uses the mint mark "D"?
Denver
Dallas
Detroit
Dover
The "D" mint mark on U.S. coins denotes production at the Denver Mint. Established in 1906, it is one of the largest mints in the world. Coins from Denver bear the "D" on the obverse or reverse depending on the series. Denver Mint
Prior to 1965, U.S. quarters were struck in what silver composition?
90% silver, 10% copper
50% silver, 50% copper
75% silver, 25% copper
40% silver, 60% copper
U.S. quarters minted before 1965 were composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. In 1965, the composition changed to a copper-nickel clad to conserve silver. The pre-1965 silver coins are valued for their precious metal content. US Mint Composition History
Which coin design minted from 1916 to 1945 is known for its winged cap Liberty head?
Barber dime
Standing Liberty quarter
Mercury dime
Walking Liberty half dollar
The Mercury dime, officially called the Winged Liberty Head dime, was struck from 1916 to 1945. Its obverse features Liberty wearing a winged cap symbolizing freedom of thought. Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, it is one of the most beloved U.S. designs. US Mint Mercury Dime
In coin collecting, what does "Proof" refer to?
Coins with heavy wear
Specially struck coins with mirror-like finish
Coins used in commerce only
Damaged coins
Proof coins are specially struck for collectors using polished dies and planchets, resulting in sharp details and mirror-like fields. They often have frosted design elements against the mirrored background. They are not intended for general circulation. PCGS Proof Coins
What does the "MS" prefix stand for in a coin grade such as MS-65?
Mint State
Mint Struck
Metallic Shine
Master Series
"MS" stands for Mint State, indicating an uncirculated coin with no wear. The numeric portion (1–70) denotes the coin’s quality on the Sheldon scale. MS-65 describes a coin with strong luster and only minor contact marks. PCGS Mint State
What is the name of the first U.S. silver dollar series, struck in 1794 and 1795?
Draped Bust Dollar
Flowing Hair Dollar
Seated Liberty Dollar
Morgan Dollar
The Flowing Hair dollar, minted in 1794 and 1795, was the first silver dollar struck by the United States. It featured Liberty with flowing hair on the obverse and a small eagle on the reverse. Its production was limited, making it highly collectible today. NGC
Which 1933 U.S. gold coin became one of the rarest and most valuable, with only a few legally owned specimens?
Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
Liberty Head Eagle
Indian Head Eagle
Gold Dollar
The 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle is famous because most examples were melted following the gold recall of 1933. Only a few are legally owned by collectors and museums. One specimen sold for over $7 million at auction. PCGS 1933 Double Eagle
What minting error, characterized by elements appearing twice, is known as?
Broadstrike
Off-Center Strike
Double Die
Clipped Planchet
A doubled die error occurs when the die used to strike the coin has design elements that were impressed twice, slightly misaligned. This results in visible doubling on the coin’s surface. Collectors highly prize major doubled die varieties. NGC Guide
The famous 1955 doubled die error occurred on which U.S. coin?
Lincoln cent
Jefferson nickel
Roosevelt dime
Washington quarter
The 1955 doubled die obverse on the Lincoln cent exhibits strong doubling of the date and the words "LIBERTY." It is one of the most well-known U.S. mint errors. Many collectors seek this variety for its dramatic appearance. USA Coin Book
On PCGS grading labels, which abbreviation denotes a Proof strike?
PF
PR
MS
PL
PCGS uses "PR" or "Proof" on its grading labels to denote proof strikes. PF is less commonly used but still seen on some labels. Proof coins have mirror-like fields and frosted devices. PCGS Proof Designation
The initials "VDB" on the 1909 Lincoln cent stand for what sculptor's name?
Victor David Brenner
Vincent D. Birkhead
Vaughn Dean Burns
Valentino DeBoni
VDB represents Victor David Brenner, the designer of the Lincoln cent. The initials appeared on the reverse in 1909, then were removed later that year due to concerns over their prominence. They were restored in smaller form in 1918. Numismatic News
U.S. American Silver Eagle bullion coins have edge lettering in which language?
English
Latin
French
Spanish
American Silver Eagle coins feature edge lettering including the Latin phrase "E PLURIBUS UNUM." Latin has been used on many U.S. coins since the founding era. The edge lettering distinguishes bullion coins from standard circulating issues. US Mint Silver Eagle
What silver alloy composition was used in U.S. nickels during World War II from 1942 to 1945?
35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese
50% silver, 50% copper
75% silver, 25% copper
10% silver, 90% copper
From mid-1942 to 1945, U.S. nickels were struck in an alloy of 35% silver, 56% copper, and 9% manganese to conserve nickel for wartime needs. These "war nickels" are easily identified by a large mint mark above Monticello. They are a specialized collecting area. US Mint War Nickel
What is the term for a coin struck on a planchet intended for a different denomination, such as the 1943 bronze penny?
Overtoned strike
Wrong Planchet
Double Strike
Clad Error
A wrong planchet error occurs when a coin is struck on a blank (planchet) intended for a different denomination or composition. The 1943 bronze penny is a famous example where copper planchets from 1942 were mistakenly used. Such errors are rare and highly prized by experts. NGC Errors Guide
In proof coinage, what term describes the frosted design elements contrasted against a mirror-like field?
Ultra Cameo
Deep Cameo
Brilliant Uncirculated
Partial Frost
Deep Cameo, also called Ultra Cameo by some grading services, refers to the high-contrast frosted devices against a deeply mirrored background on proof coins. It is a premium designation indicating superior cameo contrast. Collectors seek these most intensely for their visual appeal. PCGS Cameo Guide
0
{"name":"On which U.S. coin would you find the image of Abraham Lincoln?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"On which U.S. coin would you find the image of Abraham Lincoln?, A dime is worth how many cents?, Which U.S. coin has a face value of one dollar?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Numismatic Terminology -

    Learn the definitions and significance of key coin collecting terms such as obverse, reverse, and mint marks to navigate the world of coin trivia confidently.

  2. Identify Iconic Ancient Coins -

    Develop the ability to recognize famous ancient coins by their design features and historical background, enhancing your performance on the ancient coin quiz.

  3. Analyze Coin Trivia Questions -

    Hone your critical thinking skills to dissect and answer a variety of coin trivia questions, from basic facts to complex numismatic trivia.

  4. Recognize Rare Modern Mint Errors -

    Gain insights into rare modern coin varieties and minting mistakes, allowing you to spot error coins and unique mint mysteries.

  5. Apply Quiz Strategies to Coin Collecting -

    Use proven techniques and tips to improve your score on coin collecting quizzes and further your numismatic knowledge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mint Marks and Dates -

    Mint marks are tiny letters on coins (e.g., "D" for Denver, "S" for San Francisco) that reveal where a coin was struck. Knowing these letters helps collectors verify authenticity and spot rarities - like the 1909-S VDB Lincoln penny, prized for its low mintage (source: U.S. Mint Historical Data). A handy mnemonic is "Dines Soon, Mints Good Coins" to remember Denver, San Francisco, and Philadelphia (no mark).

  2. Coin Grading with the Sheldon Scale -

    The Sheldon Scale rates coins from 1 (Poor) to 70 (Perfect Mint State) and is the industry standard (source: Professional Coin Grading Service). For example, an MS-65 Morgan silver dollar shows strong luster and only minor contact marks. To recall key tiers, think "POOR, GOOD, FINE, MINT": P - G - F - M = 1 - 40 - 60 - 70.

  3. Metal Composition and Weight -

    Coins' metals (copper, nickel, silver) influence color, weight, and value; for instance, modern U.S. quarters are cupronickel-clad (8.33% nickel, 91.67% copper) at 5.67 g (source: U.S. Mint Specifications). Knowing densities (Cu = 8.96 g/cm³, Ni = 8.90 g/cm³) helps detect counterfeits with a simple water displacement test. Use the phrase "Cuppy Nickels Float Right" to remember copper-nickel clad alloys.

  4. Ancient Coin Iconography -

    Greek and Roman coins feature deities, emperors, and symbols that tell historical stories - Athens' owls and "ΑΘΕ" (source: British Museum Numismatics). Spotting Athena's owl with "OWL" on reverse lets you identify Athens' silver tetradrachm circa 450 BC. A quick trick: link the deity's name to the creature (Athena→owl) to lock in memory.

  5. Rarity Through Mintage Figures -

    Rarity is often driven by mintage counts: lower numbers usually mean higher value (source: American Numismatic Association). The 1913 Liberty Head nickel had only five known specimens, making it one of the rarest U.S. coins. Keep a chart of low-mintage highlights and recall the rule "Fewer Struck = Fierce Value."

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Hobbies & Leisure Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker