American coins come in various sizes and compositions depending on their denomination and the time period they were minted.
Here are the specifications for the common circulating US coins:
- Penny (1 cent): 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) in diameter, made of copper-plated zinc.
- Nickel (5 cents): 0.835 inches (21.21 mm) in diameter, composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
- Dime (10 cents): 0.705 inches (17.91 mm) in diameter, clad coin with a copper core and outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
- Quarter (25 cents): 0.955 inches (24.26 mm) in diameter, clad coin with a copper core and outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
- Half Dollar (50 cents): 1.205 inches (30.61 mm) in diameter, clad coin with a copper core and outer layers of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
- Dollar Coin ($1): 1.043 inches (26.50 mm) in diameter, made of manganese-brass (88.5% Copper, 6% Zinc, 3.5% Manganese, 2% Nickel).
What are the coins from smallest to largest?
From my experience, Size (from smallest to largest) is dime, penny, nickel, and quarter. Nickels are the thickest of the 4 coins. Dimes are the thinnest of the 4 coins. Dimes and quarters have ridged edges.