Fascinating Facts

Weekly Trivia: The word “penny” comes from the Old English “penig,” which itself comes from the German “pfennig. next...

Weekly Trivia: The first batch of coins produced by the US Mint in 1793 consisted of 11,178 copper cents, totalling $111.78. This was the first official coinage released by the U.S. Mint, marking a significant moment in the establishment of the American monetary system. next...

In the UK, coins have specific legal tender limitations: 1p and 2p coins can only be used for payments up to 20p, while 5p and 10p coins are valid for payments up to £5. In contrast, £1 and £2 coins serve as legal tender for payments of any amount with no upper limit. next...

There have been five different portraits of Queen Elizabeth II on British coins throughout her reign. next...

The first ever tri-metallic circulating coins were 20-francs coins introduced in France and Monaco in 1992. These were similar to the corresponding bi-metallic 10-francs coins, but had two rings instead of one. next...

The San Francisco Mint, known as “The Granite Lady,” survived the 1906 earthquake and fire, protecting millions of dollars in coin. - The mint was one of the few buildings to survive the disaster, and it became a center for relief aid. next...

Coin tossing to determine outcomes began in the time of Julius Caesar, with Romans calling it “navia aut caput” (ship or head). next...

Weekly Trivia: The 1933 penny is one of the rarest British coins, with only six or seven known to exist. next...

Weekly Trivia: The British pound, officially known as the pound sterling, is the oldest currency still in use today and has a history that spans over 1,200 years. next...

Since 1982, US pennies have been made of 97.5% zinc and only 2.5% copper, despite their copper appearance. next...