Many countries around the world have coins of a similar size and weight, but there are hundreds of different variations when it comes to coins. Learning about coins from around the world can be fascinating and informative.
What makes coins heavy?
There are a few different factors that can cause weight differences between coins, even if those coins are very similar in size. The most obvious factor is what metal they’re made of.
Coins made with a heavier metal, such as copper or silver, will weigh more than a coin of the same size that’s made with nickel or zinc.
This can also change the weight of the same denomination coins over time.
For example, United States pennies were once made mostly out of copper, but in order to make coin production less expensive, newer pennies have a much higher concentration of zinc, making them lighter than old pennies.
Coins that are tarnished or dirty also often weigh more than new coins. When a coin tarnishes, the metal pulls oxygen out of the air to form the layer of tarnish, so it actually adds weight to the coin.
Dirt buildup can also add a tiny bit of extra weight. On the other hand, older coins might be worn down or have chips, which can reduce their overall weight.
United States Coins
Pennies
Pennies might be the smallest denomination coin in the United States, but they’re not the smallest in size or weight.
Pennies have a diameter of 0.75 inches or 19.05 millimeters and a thickness of 1.52 millimeters or 0.059 inches. They weigh 2.5 grams or 0.088 ounces when they’re newly minted.
Nickels
Nickels, which are worth $0.05, weigh 5 grams or 0.176 ounces when they’re newly minted. They have a diameter of 21.21 millimeters or 0.835 inches, and they’re 1.52 millimeters or 0.059 inches thick.
Dimes
Although they’re worth $0.10, dimes are the smallest United States coin in both size and weight. These coins weigh 0.08 ounces or 2.268 grams.
They have a diameter of 0.705 inches or 17.91 millimeters and a thickness of 1.35 millimeters. Dimes, like quarts and nickels, are made of copper and nickel alloy.
Quarters
Quarters, which are worth $0.25, are the largest United States coins. Quarters have a diameter of 1.043 inches or 26.49 millimeters and a thickness of 2 millimeters or about 0.08 inches. They weigh 0.4 ounces or 8.1 grams.
Canadian Coins
Pennies
Like the United States, Canada also has penny, nickel, dime, and quarter coins, and they look very similar in size and color to American coins.
These coins, however, have different images on them, mostly depicting plants and animals in homage to the Canadian landscape.
The Canadian penny, which features a maple leaf on one side, has a diameter of 19.05 millimeters or 0.75 inches, which is the same as the United States penny.
They are a bit thinner, however, with a thickness of 1.45 millimeters or about 0.06 inches, and a bit lighter, with a weight of 2.35 grams or 0.08 ounces.
Canadian pennies stopped being produced in 2013, although they are still in limited use.
Nickels
Canadian nickels are about the same diameter as United States nickels, measuring 21.2 millimeters or 0.8 inches but they’re a bit thicker and a bit lighter.
Canadian nickels have a thickness of 1.76 millimeters or 0.07 inches and a weight of 3.95 grams or about 0.14 ounces.
Dimes
Canadian dimes are just slightly wider but also a little bit thinner than United States dimes. They have a diameter of 18.03 millimeters or about 0.71 inches, a thickness of 1.22 millimeters or 0.05 inches, and a weight of 1.75 grams or 0.06 ounces.
These coins are famous for their beaver decoration.
Quarters
Canadian quarters are, like Canadian nickels and dimes, made mostly of steel with some copper and a nickel plating. The Canadian quarter has a diameter of 23.88 millimeters or 0.84 inches and a thickness of 1.58 millimeters or 0.06 inches.
It weighs 4.4 grams or about 0.156 ounces.
Australian Coins
1 Cent Coin
Like Canada, the Australian penny, or 1 cent coin, and the 2 cent coin are no longer produced, but they are still occasionally used.
The Australian 1 cent coin has a diameter of 17.65 millimeters or about 0.69 inches and a thickness of 1.4 millimeters or 0.055 inches or less. It weighs 2.6 grams or about 0.09 ounces.
2 Cent Coin
The Australian 2 cent coin, which, like the 1 cent coin, is made of mostly copper, weighs 5.2 grams or about 0.18 ounces. It has a diameter of 21.59 millimeters or 0.85 inches and a thickness of 1.9 millimeters or 0.07 inches or less.
5 Cent Coin
Like all Australian coins, the 5 cent coin features images of the native flora and fauna. In this case, the coin features a picture of an echidna.
The coin measures 19.41 millimeters or about 0.76 inches in diameter and 1.3 millimeters or 0.05 inches in thickness. It weighs 2.83 grams or 0.0998 ounces.
10 Cent Coin
The 10 cent coin, which has a picture of a lyrebird on it, weighs 5.65 grams or 0.2 ounces. It has a diameter of 23.6 millimeters or 0.93 inches and a thickness of 1.5 millimeters or 0.06 inches.
Like the 5 cents, 20 cents, and 50 cent coins, the 10 cent coin is made of copper and nickel.
20 Cent Coin
The Australian 20 cent coin features a platypus. The coin has a weight of 11.3 grams or 0.4 ounces, a diameter of 28.65 millimeters or 1.13 inches, and a thickness of 2 millimeters or 0.08 inches.
50 Cent Coin
The largest of the common Australian coins, the 50 cent coin isn’t circular but instead has a dodecagon shape. It measures 31.65 millimeters or 1.25 inches from one flat edge to the opposing edge, and it has a thickness of 2 millimeters or 0.08 inches.
It weighs 15.55 grams or 0.55 ounces.
Euro Coins
In the early 2000s, most European countries switched to the common monetary unit known as the euro. The Euro has a 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent coin, as well as 1 and 2 euro coins.
1 Cent Coin
The 1 cent euro coin has a diameter of 16.25 millimeters or 0.64 inches and a thickness of 1.67 millimeters or 0.066 inches. It weighs 2.3 grams or 0.08 ounces.
2 Cent Coin
Slightly larger than the 1 cent coin, the 2 cent euro coin has a weight of 3.06 grams or 0.1 ounces. It measures 18.75 millimeters or 0.74 inches across its diameter and has a thickness of 1.67 millimeters.
5 Cent Coin
Like the 1 and 2 cent coins, the 5 cent coin has a thickness of 1.67 millimeters, but it has a diameter of 21.25 millimeters or 0.84 inches and weighs 3.92 grams or 0.14 ounces.
10 Cent Coin
The 10 cent coin has a weight of 4.1 grams or 0.14 ounces, a diameter of 19.75 millimeters or 0.78 inches, and a thickness of 1.93 millimeters or 0.076 inches.
20 Cent Coin
The yellow 20 cent euro coin has a diameter of 22.25 millimeters or 0.88 inches and a thickness of 2.14 millimeters or 0.08 inches. It weighs 5.74 grams or 0.2 ounces.
50 Cent Coin
The 50 cent euro coin weighs 7.8 grams or 0.28 ounces and has a diameter of 24.25 millimeters or 0.95 inches. It’s 2.38 millimeters or 0.09 inches thick.
