OT - but not sure where to ask a money related question

[DaniB]

My local corner store has been saving US coins for me for awhile now.

Today the lady working there had some coins for me. I had never seen this particular coin before though. I'm sure it's real, but when did the States start minting $1 coins? I thought that was just a Canadian thing of ours.

Is it a common coin? Are there other denominations, ie $2 or $5?

I really like the picture on the back, of the mother carrying a baby in a sling on her back.

 

[**eeyore**]

I think you are referring to the Sacagawea $1 coin. Here is some information regarding it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacagawea_dollar

 

[minnie1928]

Sounds like the Sacajawea dollar coin. They've been around for a while...according to wikipedia it's been since 2000. Here's some info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacagawea_dollar

Hope that helps!

 

[DEA]

That sounds like a Sacagawea dollar. You can check the pics on Wikipedia under that title to verify that's what you have. I think she's on what I would consider the front of the coin, though.

 

[minnie1928]

great minds think alike!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There is a very large article in Wikipedia about dollar coins. There are five different ones minted during about 34 years during the 20th Century, as well as the current Presidential series.

Additionally there used to be five, ten and twenty dollar gold coins.

 

[Tina]

Don't forget the Susan B Anthony coins from years ago. I had forgotten all about them until I happened to find one in my purse the other day. Just as was the problem with these years ago, someone mistook it for a quarter and gave it to me. I didn't even notice at first.

 

[rebeccalb10]

Actually in addition to that coin they are also minting $1 gold coins with the presidents on them. Most often you can get them from the vending machine at the post office. In Boston we also get them from the change machines on our transit system.

 

[vegasnative]

There is another one that is being circulated that is more recent. It is also gold, same size as the Sacajawea coins, but it has the 10th President on it, John Tyler. (ok I didn't see the previous posts about the Presidents. Tyler is the only 1 I have). :O)

Also, for OP, since they are collecting coins, if you are collecting the state quarters, there are more than 50. I have 1 quarter with Puerto Rico on it & one with the US Virgin Islands. So, I'm not sure how many others of the quarters are out there.

 

[a1tinkfans]

The state quarters have 2 sets, one for the east coast mint and one for the west coast mint as well! My dad has made a complete set for each of his (many) grand kids! What a Feat (he did only one mint)!

 

[thebeesknees]

Are they minting a new style of penny now, too? My daughter found one on the sidewalk recently, and instead of the usual Lincoln Memorial on the back, it had a shield. Looked kind of weird!

 

[DaniB]

Thanks for all the information!

I'm not really "collecting" coins so much as just gathering up US coins before our trip as the bank doesn't deal with them.

The kids are having fun looking through coins everytime we get change to truimphly yell "here's another one!".

This coin they're fighting over who gets to keep it. I stopped that after a short while by saying MOMMY is keeping it They are ok with that, but apparently I'm not allowed to spend it.