American Numismatics Trivia Quiz

General questions about America's fascinating coin history.

A multiple-choice quiz by husker1980. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
husker1980

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
232,080

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1673

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: seaseasea (4/10), Guest 24 (8/10), Guest 107 (3/10).

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. The front side of a coin is called: Hint

Face surface

The obverse

Bust image

Feature surface

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2. Which of the following sequences is the correct one regarding the order of release for US one cent (penny) coins? Hint

Flying Eagle, Indian Head, Lincoln "Wheat Ears", Lincoln "Memorial"

Large Cent, Flying Eagle, Lincoln, Indian Head

Flying Eagle, Large Cent, Lincoln, Buffalo

None of these is correct

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3. Whose legendary likeness appears on more types of U.S. coins than any other? Hint

Lady Liberty

George Washington

Mercury

Betsy Ross

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4. What are "Proof" coins? Hint

Coins minted each year as gifts for the President and Cabinet members.

Coins minted as "rough drafts".

Coins minted from special materials and highly polished equipment for the purpose of collecting.

Coins rejected by the mint's quality control office.

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5. When attempting to determine the value of a classic coin you own, which of the following considerations will likely have the least impact? Hint

Year of minting

The coin's previous owners

Condition (grade)

Mint mark

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6. The best way to clean an old coin is: Hint

Pencil eraser

Coins should not be cleaned

Rubbing alcohol and a soft cotton swab

Soaking them in silver cleaner

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7. A "perfect" coin receives a score of: Hint

121

100

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8. A "slabbed coin" is: Hint

A coin that has been graded by a grading firm and sealed in an air-tight capsule.

A coin that has become stuck to its display case.

A coin that has been deformed by a novelty machine at a carnival or arcade.

A coin that has been incorrectly struck at the mint.

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9. What is a "raw" coin? Hint

A blank metal disk which will eventually become a coin.

An ungraded coin.

A coin that has never circulated.

A coin that has become tarnished over time.

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10. Which of the following individuals appeared on a U.S. coin, despite never having been elected President of the United States?
Hint

Benjamin Franklin

All are Correct

Susan B. Anthony

Sacagawea

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The front side of a coin is called:

Answer: The obverse

The front of a coin is the obverse, the back of a coin is called the reverse.

2. Which of the following sequences is the correct one regarding the order of release for US one cent (penny) coins?

Answer: Flying Eagle, Indian Head, Lincoln "Wheat Ears", Lincoln "Memorial"

The "Flying Eagle" cent was only minted for circulation for 2 years, 1857 and 1858. The term "Wheat Ears" and "Memorial" refer to the designs on the reverse of the US Lincoln Cent between the years of 1909 and the present. The early Lincoln Cents feature ears of wheat (which resemble ears of corn).

3. Whose legendary likeness appears on more types of U.S. coins than any other?

Answer: Lady Liberty

Lady Liberty's likeness appears on Dollars, Half-Dollars, Quarters, dimes and more! Although, since she is a mythical figure, her image changes depending on the sculptor.

4. What are "Proof" coins?

Answer: Coins minted from special materials and highly polished equipment for the purpose of collecting.

Proofs can be purchased directly from the mint. Proof quarters from the first year of the "50 State Quarter Program" (1999) have doubled in value more than once since their issue.

5. When attempting to determine the value of a classic coin you own, which of the following considerations will likely have the least impact?

Answer: The coin's previous owners

The most crucial component of a coin's value is its rarity. In classic coins, there are nearly always issues (year / mint combinations) that had a very small number produced and thus are inevitably rarer and more valuable than most other issues. The condition of a coin also strongly determines its value with the best preserved coins achieving huge premiums both for rarity and visual appeal. On the other hand, while a coin's pedigree may occasionally have an impact on value, this is typically only significant if the specific coin in question was owned by a very famous person or has a legend attached to it.

6. The best way to clean an old coin is:

Answer: Coins should not be cleaned

NEVER clean a coin! It almost always ruins the value.

7. A "perfect" coin receives a score of:

Answer: 70

Coins are graded on a scale of 0-70. Coin grades are : Almost Good or (AG). Good or (G). Very Good or (VG). Fine or (F). Very Fine or (VF). Extra Fine or (XF). About Uncirculated or (AU). Uncirculated or (UNC). Mint State or (MS).

8. A "slabbed coin" is:

Answer: A coin that has been graded by a grading firm and sealed in an air-tight capsule.

ANACS and NGC are coin-grading firms, which charge a fee for expertly grading coins.

9. What is a "raw" coin?

Answer: An ungraded coin.

Raw coins are my favorite!

10. Which of the following individuals appeared on a U.S. coin, despite never having been elected President of the United States?

Answer: All are Correct

Ben Franklin appeared on the Half-Dollar from 1948-63; Susan B. Anthony on the ill-fated dollar coin and Sacagawea (and her infant son) on the golden dollar.

Source: Author husker1980

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ozzz2002 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Most Recent Scores

Mar 13 2023 : seaseasea: 4/10
Feb 11 2023 : Guest 24: 8/10
Feb 06 2023 : Guest 107: 3/10
Feb 02 2023 : bernie73: 10/10
Feb 01 2023 : Guest 76: 8/10

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