Classic US Coins: Gold Coins Trivia Quiz

Answer: Double Eagles

Half eagles ($5) and Eagles ($10) were first minted in 1795, and Quarter eagles ($2.50) were first minted in 1796. The Double Eagle was not minted until 1850. The Eagle was a core coin in the US system along with the Dollar, Dime, and Cent. Gold coins in the United States originally used silver and copper as the alloy metals.

Answer: Greater Than

US Gold coins were minted at a ratio of 22/24 (or about 91.67%). This ratio held until 1834, when it was lowered to about 89.2%. In 1837, the coins were raised to a fineness of 90%. Initially, gold coins included a mix of copper and silver in the coinage metal. By 1840, the 10% of alloy was just copper.

Answer: West Point, NY

Although the West Point mint would eventually mint gold coins, they were only bullion coins. The mints at Dahlonega and Charlotte only minted gold coins and only before the Civil War. The mint at New Orleans was open before and after the war. Additional branch mints were located at San Francisco, CA, Carson City, NV, and Denver, CO, in addition to the main mint at Philadelphia, PA

Answer: Turban Head

The Turban Head lasted from the 1795-1807. Robert Scot was the designer. For all three denominations ($2.50, $5.00, and $10). The reverse of the coin features a small eagle holding a wreath in its mouth. The coin was only produced in small numbers each year, with the number of any particular denomination being fewer than 10,000 per year.

It is important to remember that they were produced when the country had a small population (about 4-5 million) and each coin represented significant value ($100 each or more in 2026 figures.)

Answer: Indian Head

Through much of the early 1800s the denomination of the coin was "5 D". In the 1700s, the coin did not have a written denomination. The size of the coin (and the amount of gold) gave an unspoken indication of the relative value. Beginning in 1839, the reverse of the coin indicated "Five D."

Answer: One Dollar

The One Dollar gold coin was minted from 1849-1889. At 12.7 millimeters (about 1/2 inch) in diameter, the first type of the coin was the smallest minted for circulation. Beginning in 1854, a second type was slightly bigger at 14.3 mm. The James Longacre design featured a Caucasian head wearing a Native American headdress.

The mintage which was significant in early years was relatively small later in later years.

Answer: Postage stamps

Supposedly the Three-Dollar coin was designed to aid in purchasing sheets of 100 stamps. Similarly, Three Cent coins were intended to purchase individual stamps. To aid with this, the price for first-class stamps had recently dropped from five to three cents. The Three-Dollar coins were designed by James Longacre and featured a wreath of agricultural products on the reverse.

Answer: In God we trust

The other phrases have appeared on US coins since the 1790s. The motto is thought to be related to an upsurge of religious sentimentality during the Civil War era. The suggestion for the phrase is traceable to Mark Wilkinson, a Pennsylvania minister. It first appeared on Two Cent coins minted in 1864.

Answer: Indian Head

Pratt's Indian Head design was used on US Quarter Eagle and Half Eagle coins for the Period 1908-1929. An unusual feature is that the designs are in use-that is, carved into the surface. Common dates from the series tend to have a slightly higher value than equivalent coins from the Liberty Head series.

Answer: Augustus Saint-Gaudens

This particular coin is often described as the Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. It was a very popular coin in the past and the present due to its appearance. Very few coins that were dated 1933 were issued since that occurred at the same time that US money was taken off the gold standard.