Coin Currency
Coin currency is a form of money used in transactions. They are usually made from metal, though some are alloys. Each has a unique appearance. Some are round, some are flat, and some have numerals or images.
In the United States, coin currency was first issued by Congress in 1792. It was produced at the first national mint in Philadelphia. While it was not a success, it did outline the system of coinage.
The system was based on three silver denominations: a half dollar, a quarter dollar, and a dollar. In addition to coins, the system included paper notes. Paper notes are thin and light, and are easy to carry. However, they are not durable like coins.
The value of a coin depends on its quality, design, and historical significance. It is also dictated by the government. Usually, the highest-value coin is worth less than the lowest-value note. Occasionally, the face value of a circulation coin drops below the metal value of its minted content due to inflation.
The Spanish dollar, which served as the national currency for many colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries, was a round coin with a distinctive design. In early times, it was called a “piece of eight.” But in modern times it is sometimes called a “two bit,” and it had a consistent silver content.
Early settlers in the colonies brought coins with them. Eventually, England prohibited the colonies from making their own coinage. This created a shortage of coins, and the colonists returned to Europe for supplies. When they needed to pay for these supplies, they used primitive forms of currency.
During this same period, many other countries also experienced similar inflation. As a result, they redenominated their currency. For example, Turkey redenominated its currency in January 2005.
Today, the coin currency of the United States is produced at Treasury locations in Fort Worth, Texas and Washington, D.C. Most coins have numerical values, and they are usually made from copper, gold, silver, or base metals. The largest coins in common circulation are valued at 25 cents.
Many countries have replaced lower-value banknotes with coins, generally for economic reasons. There are some exceptions, such as New Zealand, which changed from a copper-nickel currency to smaller, plated coins.
While the United States’ system has only slightly changed since its inception, the symbols and designs on circulating coins have been modified. One notable example is the Sacagawea coin, which features a native American heroine and bald eagle on the obverse.
In addition, the US one-cent coin has been changed in composition in the last 50 years. Before 1982, it was composed of nearly all copper. That year, the US government began removing virtually all copper from the coin. Although this change has reduced its purchasing power, the coin remains in circulation.
Even with the changes, the dollar coin is still the largest of the circulating coins. Other denominations, such as the five-cent piece, the dime, the quarter, and the half, no longer exist in the U.S.