Money: Pennies, Nickels, and Dimes
Grade 1 · Math · Study Guide
Learn the names and values of pennies, nickels, and dimes, and how to count coins.
Coins are money we use to buy things. In the United States, we have different types of coins, and each one has a different value. A penny is worth 1 cent (1¢). It is copper-colored. A nickel is worth 5 cents (5¢) — that means one nickel equals 5 pennies. Nickels are silver-colored and a little bigger than pennies.
A dime is worth 10 cents (10¢). Even though a dime is the smallest coin, it is worth the most of the three! One dime equals 2 nickels or 10 pennies. To count coins, start with the coin of highest value and work your way down. For example, 1 dime + 1 nickel + 2 pennies = 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 = 17 cents.
You can also count by 5s and 10s to add coins faster. Knowing coin values helps you understand money in everyday life — like at a store or a lemonade stand!
| Coin | Value | How Many Pennies Equal It? | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penny | 1¢ | 1 | Copper |
| Nickel | 5¢ | 5 | Silver |
| Dime | 10¢ | 10 | Silver (smallest coin) |
Key terms
- penny
- A coin worth 1 cent (1¢); copper-colored
- nickel
- A coin worth 5 cents (5¢); silver-colored
- dime
- A coin worth 10 cents (10¢); silver-colored and the smallest U.S. coin
- cent (¢)
- The unit used to measure coin value; 100 cents = 1 dollar
Flashcards
- Penny
- 1 cent (1¢) — copper-colored coin
- Nickel
- 5 cents (5¢) — silver coin; equals 5 pennies
- Dime
- 10 cents (10¢) — smallest silver coin; equals 2 nickels or 10 pennies
- 1 dime + 1 nickel = ?
- 15¢
- 2 dimes = ?
- 20¢
- How to count coins
- Start with the highest-value coin and count down to the lowest
Practice questions
How many cents is a nickel worth?
- 1¢
- 10¢
- 5¢
- 25¢
Show answer
Answer: 5¢
A nickel is always worth 5 cents
A dime is worth more than a nickel.
Show answer
Answer: True
A dime = 10¢, a nickel = 5¢; 10 > 5, so a dime is worth more
Two nickels equal ___ cents.
Show answer
Answer: 10
5¢ + 5¢ = 10¢; two nickels equal one dime
You have 1 dime and 3 pennies. How many cents do you have?
- 12¢
- 13¢
- 14¢
- 11¢
Show answer
Answer: 13¢
10¢ (dime) + 1¢ + 1¢ + 1¢ (three pennies) = 13¢
Which coin is copper-colored?
- Dime
- Nickel
- Penny
- Quarter
Show answer
Answer: Penny
Pennies are the only copper-colored U.S. coins
Fun facts
- The dime is the smallest U.S. coin in size, but it's worth more than a penny or nickel!
- Abraham Lincoln has been on the penny since 1909, making it one of the longest-running coin designs ever.
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