Yes, there is a 5 coin in the United States, but it’s not a regular circulating coin in the same way that pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters are.
Here’s why:
- Commemorative Coins: The United States Mint issues commemorative coins in various denominations, including $5 gold coins, [according to the U.S. Mint] . These are special issue coins created to honor important people or events and are primarily intended for collectors. Examples include the 2025 U.S. Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Proof Five-dollar Gold Coin and various other gold commemorative coins.
- Historical Context: Historically, the U.S. did have a circulating $5 gold piece called a “half-eagle”, but this denomination was discontinued in 1933.
- Bullion Coins: The U.S. Mint also produces gold bullion coins with a $5 denomination, although their market value is significantly higher due to the gold content. These are primarily for investment purposes.
In summary , while a $5 coin exists in the United States, it is not something you’d typically encounter in everyday transactions like buying groceries. Instead, you’ll find them as commemorative or bullion coins, valued by collectors and investors.
Is there such a thing as a 5 coin?
The five pound coin shares the same dimensions as the twenty-five pence coin, and the five shilling coin before it, but has a nominal value twenty times greater. Five pound coins are legal tender but are intended as souvenirs and are rarely seen in circulation.
What coin has a 5 on it?
We know the five-cent coin as a nickel, but it wasn’t always so. The first five-cent coins were made of silver, not nickel. In the Mint’s early days, all coins had to be made of either gold, silver, or copper. The first five-cent coin in 1794 was called a half dime.