(Andre B. writes: Hi, My son is trying to find out which coin is most used. Is is the penny, the nickel, the dime, the quarter, or the half dollar? Thank you.
One way to tell the answer to that question would be to look at the mintage figures over a period of time for each of the above denominations. Also, think how the coins are used. Each one has a different or subsidiary purpose.
Except for the half dollar which is not used at all in every day commerce, the order of usage is probably the following:
- The cent (got to pay the sales tax) – mintage in the billions each year
- The dime – change for a quarter. Close or over a billion minted each year.
- Quarters – vending machine fodder, in the billion range
- Nickels – not as useful but just behind quarters.
