Why dime smaller nickel

His portrait changed again in This time, Jefferson faced forward for the first time instead of the usual right-facing potrait. In and , the Westward Journey Nickel Series brought four new reverse designs. In , the reverse design went back to showing Monticello. Back to U. Mint Home.

About the Mint Circulating Coins U. James Z. I work with students who will become elementary school teachers. Why is the dime smaller than the nickel? The United States used to have an intrinsic monetary system that relied on circulating precious metal coins for commerce. This fiat money was one way the United States raised funds to carry on the Civil War.

Paper money redeemable for gold and silver coins were restored after the war but the paper was only a receipt for coins. For money to be intrinsic, a dime had to have virtually 10 cents worth of silver, a quarter had to have virtually 25 cents worth of silver, etc. In the early days of the country the precious metal content of U. The U. Half dimes, dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollars were struck in.

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