What was "five cents US 1964"?
The "five cents US 1964" refers to the five-cent coin that was minted in the United States in 1964. It was composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, and weighed 5 grams. The obverse (heads) of the coin featured the Lincoln Memorial, while the reverse (tails) featured the Monticello. The coin was designed by Frank Gasparro and was the last five-cent piece to be struck for circulation.
Importance and Benefits
The "five cents US 1964" was an important coin in American history. It was the last five-cent piece to be struck for circulation, and it marked the end of an era in American coinage. The coin is also a popular collector's item, and it is often sought after by numismatists.
Five Cents US 1964
The "five cents US 1964" refers to the five-cent coin that was minted in the United States in 1964. It was the last five-cent piece to be struck for circulation, and it marked the end of an era in American coinage.
- Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight: 5 grams
- Obverse (heads): Lincoln Memorial
- Reverse (tails): Monticello
- Designer: Frank Gasparro
- Significance: Last five-cent piece struck for circulation
The "five cents US 1964" is a significant coin in American history. It marked the end of an era in American coinage, and it is a popular collector's item today. The coin is a reminder of the changing face of American currency, and it is a valuable piece of history.
1. Composition
The "five cents US 1964" was composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This composition was chosen because it was relatively inexpensive to produce, and it was also durable and resistant to wear and tear.
- Durability: The copper-nickel composition of the "five cents US 1964" made it a durable coin that could withstand everyday use. This was important because coins were often used in vending machines and other automated devices.
- Cost-effectiveness: The copper-nickel composition was also relatively inexpensive to produce. This was important because the government needed to be able to produce a large number of coins without breaking the bank.
- Resistance to wear and tear: The copper-nickel composition of the "five cents US 1964" made it resistant to wear and tear. This was important because coins were often handled by many different people, and they needed to be able to withstand the wear and tear of everyday use.
The composition of the "five cents US 1964" was an important factor in its success. The copper-nickel composition made the coin durable, cost-effective, and resistant to wear and tear. These factors helped to make the "five cents US 1964" a popular and successful coin.
2. Weight
The weight of the "five cents US 1964" was 5 grams. This weight was chosen for a number of reasons, including:
- Coin size: The weight of the coin was determined by its size. The "five cents US 1964" was a relatively small coin, so it could not be too heavy.
- Coin composition: The weight of the coin was also determined by its composition. The "five cents US 1964" was composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel. This composition made the coin relatively heavy for its size.
- Coin value: The weight of the coin was also determined by its value. The "five cents US 1964" was a five-cent piece, so it could not be too heavy or too light.
The weight of the "five cents US 1964" was an important factor in its success. The weight of the coin made it easy to handle and use, and it also helped to prevent the coin from being counterfeited.
3. Obverse (heads)
The obverse (heads) of the "five cents US 1964" featured the Lincoln Memorial. This was a fitting choice, as Lincoln was one of the most important presidents in American history. He led the country through the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed the slaves. The Lincoln Memorial is a national monument that commemorates Lincoln's life and legacy.
The Lincoln Memorial was designed by Henry Bacon and completed in 1922. It is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The memorial is a large, white marble building with a statue of Lincoln seated in the center. The statue is surrounded by 36 columns, which represent the 36 states that were part of the Union at the time of Lincoln's death.
The Lincoln Memorial is a popular tourist destination and a symbol of American democracy. It is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest presidents in American history.
4. Reverse (tails)
The reverse (tails) of the "five cents US 1964" featured Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. Jefferson was a key figure in American history, and he is credited with authoring the Declaration of Independence. Monticello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Virginia.
The choice of Monticello as the reverse design for the "five cents US 1964" was a fitting tribute to Jefferson and his legacy. Jefferson was a strong advocate for democracy and individual liberty, and he played a key role in the founding of the United States. Monticello is a symbol of Jefferson's ideals, and it is a reminder of the importance of democracy and individual liberty.
The "five cents US 1964" is a significant coin in American history. It is the last five-cent piece to be struck for circulation, and it features the Lincoln Memorial on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse. The coin is a reminder of the importance of democracy and individual liberty, and it is a tribute to two of the most important presidents in American history.
5. Designer
Frank Gasparro was an American artist and coin designer who designed the "five cents US 1964". Gasparro was born in New York City in 1909. He studied at the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League. In 1935, he joined the United States Mint as an engraver. Gasparro designed a number of coins for the Mint, including the Jefferson nickel, the Roosevelt dime, and the Kennedy half dollar.
The "five cents US 1964" was Gasparro's last coin design for the Mint. The coin was a departure from previous five-cent pieces, which had featured the Indian Head design. Gasparro's design featured the Lincoln Memorial on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse. The coin was well-received by the public and is considered to be one of Gasparro's finest works.
Frank Gasparro was a talented artist and coin designer. His work helped to shape the look of American coinage in the 20th century. The "five cents US 1964" is a testament to Gasparro's skill and artistry.
6. Significance
The "five cents US 1964" is significant because it was the last five-cent piece struck for circulation in the United States. This marked the end of an era in American coinage, as the five-cent piece had been a staple of American currency since the early 1800s. There are a number of reasons why the five-cent piece was discontinued, including:
- Inflation: The value of the five-cent piece had been eroded by inflation over the years. In 1964, a five-cent piece was worth less than half of what it had been worth in 1900.
- Cost of production: The cost of producing a five-cent piece had also increased over the years. In 1964, it cost more to produce a five-cent piece than it was worth.
- Public demand: There was also a declining demand for five-cent pieces. People were increasingly using pennies and dimes instead of nickels.
The discontinuation of the five-cent piece was a significant event in American history. It marked the end of an era in American coinage, and it is a reminder of the changing face of American currency.
FAQs About "Five Cents US 1964"
This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about the "five cents US 1964" coin.
Question 1: What is the "five cents US 1964" coin?
The "five cents US 1964" coin is the last five-cent piece that was struck for circulation in the United States. It was composed of 75% copper and 25% nickel, and weighed 5 grams. The obverse (heads) of the coin featured the Lincoln Memorial, while the reverse (tails) featured Monticello.
Question 2: Why was the "five cents US 1964" coin discontinued?
The "five cents US 1964" coin was discontinued due to a combination of factors, including inflation, the increasing cost of production, and declining public demand.
Question 3: What is the significance of the "five cents US 1964" coin?
The "five cents US 1964" coin is significant because it is the last five-cent piece that was struck for circulation in the United States. It marks the end of an era in American coinage.
Question 4: Who designed the "five cents US 1964" coin?
The "five cents US 1964" coin was designed by Frank Gasparro, an American artist and coin designer.
Question 5: What are the specifications of the "five cents US 1964" coin?
The "five cents US 1964" coin has the following specifications:
- Composition: 75% copper, 25% nickel
- Weight: 5 grams
- Diameter: 21.21 mm
- Thickness: 1.95 mm
Summary: The "five cents US 1964" coin is a significant piece of American history. It is the last five-cent piece that was struck for circulation in the United States, and it marks the end of an era in American coinage.
Transition to the next article section: The next section of this article will discuss the history of the "five cents US 1964" coin.
Conclusion
The "five cents US 1964" coin is a significant piece of American history. It is the last five-cent piece that was struck for circulation in the United States, and it marks the end of an era in American coinage.
The coin is a reminder of the changing face of American currency. It is also a reminder of the importance of preserving our history. The "five cents US 1964" coin is a valuable piece of Americana, and it is a coin that should be cherished by collectors and historians alike.
