A pound (0.45 kg) of dimes and a pound (0.45 kg) of quarters are worth the same amount: $20 US Dollars (USD). This might seem surprising, but there's a good reason!
Why Do a Pound of Dimes and Quarters Have the Same Value?
The value of US coins was originally based on the amount of silver each one contained. Though modern quarters and dimes don't use silver, the relative values established long ago remain the same.
Coin Weights and Counts
According to the US Mint, the weight of a dime is 2.268 grams, and the weight of a quarter is 5.670 grams. Using these weights, here's how many of each coin type make up a pound:
- Dimes: 200 dimes weigh 1 pound (0.45 kg).
- Quarters: 80 quarters weigh 1 pound (0.45 kg).
More about the Weight of US Currency
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Half-Dollars: A pound (0.45 kg) of half-dollar US coins is also worth $20, the same amount as a pound (0.45kg) of dimes or quarters.
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Dollar Bills: A $1 USD bill weighs about 1 gram, the same as a paper clip.
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Pennies: 178 pounds (80.7 kg), roughly the average adult weight in North America, worth of pennies would equal about $323 USD.
FAQs
Why does a pound of quarters and dimes have the same value, even though they're different sizes?
This goes back to when US coins were made of silver. Historically, the dime, quarter, and half-dollar contained silver amounts proportional to their value. Even though modern coins aren't made of silver, the value relationship remains the same.
Exactly how many quarters are in a pound?
There are 80 quarters in one pound. Each quarter weighs 5.67 grams, according to the US Mint.
How many dimes are in a pound?
There are 200 dimes in one pound. The US Mint states that each dime weighs 2.268 grams.
Besides quarters and dimes, what other US coin is worth $20 per pound?
The half-dollar! Like quarters and dimes, the half-dollar's value was historically tied to its silver content. Even though they're less common in circulation today, they also have a $20 value per pound.
Is there a way to easily calculate how many of a specific coin equals a pound?
Yes! Divide 454 (grams in a pound) by the coin's weight (in grams) according to the US Mint. For example: 454 grams / 5.67 grams (quarter weight) = 80 quarters.