Who’s on Your Coins? U.S. Presidents and Money

• newEditor
• Social Studies
• 3rd Grade

Who’s on Your Coins? U.S. Presidents and Money

What do you already know about the presidents on U.S. coins?

Learning Overview

At the end of the lesson you will be able to identify which U.S. presidents are on common coins, state when they served as president, describe a key achievement during their presidency, Identify when the coin was issued and explain what’s on the back of each coin and its meaning.

The Penny: Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln was president from 1861–1865. He led the US through the Civil War and helped end slavery. The penny’s design started in 1909. The back shows the Lincoln Memorial, a symbol of freedom.

What did Lincoln help end?

A

World War I

B

Civil Rights Movement

C

Prohibition

D

Slavery

What is depicted on the back of the penny?

A

Lincoln Memorial

B

Statue of Liberty

C

Liberty Bell

D

Washington Monument

The Nickel: Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson was president from 1801–1809. He wrote the Declaration of Independence. The nickel’s design started in 1938. The back shows Monticello, Jefferson’s home and an American landmark.

What years did Jefferson serve as president?

A

1810–1816

B

1820–1828

C

1801–1809

D

1796–1804

What is depicted on the back of the nickel?

A

The White House

B

Statue of Liberty

C

Monticello

D

Independence Hall

The Dime: Franklin D. Roosevelt

Roosevelt was president from 1933–1945. He led the country during the Great Depression and World War II. The dime’s design started in 1946. The back shows a torch and olive branch, symbols of peace and freedom.

What symbols are on the dime's back?

A

Eagle and stars

B

Anchor and wheel

C

Torch and olive branch

D

Crown and sword

In what years did FDR serve as president?

A

1933 to 1945

B

1945 to 1953

C

1933 to 1939

D

1929 to 1933

The Quarter: George Washington

Washington was president from 1789–1797. He was the first US president and led the American Revolution. The quarter’s design started in 1932. The back often shows national parks or the eagle, a symbol of the USA.

When did Washington serve as president?

A

1797–1801

B

1776–1783

C

1789–1797

D

1801–1809

What design started in 1932?

A

Quarter's design

B

Nickel's design

C

Penny's design

D

Dollar bill design

The Half Dollar: John F. Kennedy

Kennedy was president from 1961–1963. He helped start the US space program and supported civil rights. The half dollar’s design started in 1964. The back shows the presidential seal, representing the presidency.

When was JFK president?

A

1961–1963

B

1964–1966

C

1959–1961

D

1967–1969

What does the half dollar's back show?

A

Eagle emblem

B

Liberty bell

C

Presidential seal

D

Statue of Liberty

The Dollar Coin: Multiple Faces

Presidents on dollar coins include Dwight D. Eisenhower (1971), and many others in the Presidential $1 Coin Program starting in 2007. The backs show symbols like the Statue of Liberty or U.S. history themes.

Which president is featured on the 1971 dollar coin?

A

John F. Kennedy

B

Abraham Lincoln

C

Dwight D. Eisenhower

D

George Washington

What symbol is featured on the backs of the coins?

A

Mount Rushmore

B

Lincoln Memorial

C

Eagle

D

Statue of Liberty