The half cent, the smallest denomination ever minted by the U.S., was introduced in 1793 to facilitate small transactions in an economy where even a penny held significant value. Made primarily of copper, its designs featured variations of Liberty, reflecting the young nation's ideals. Despite its practicality in early commerce, the half cent was discontinued in 1857 due to inflation and the decreasing need for such a small denomination. Today, these coins are rare and highly sought after by collectors.

The large cent was one of the first coins produced by the U.S. Mint, starting in 1793. Struck in pure copper, it featured various depictions of Liberty, symbolizing the nation's values. Its substantial size made it cumbersome, leading to its replacement by the smaller cent in 1857. Collectors value large cents for their historical significance and diverse designs.

Introduced in 1856, the small cent replaced the large cent to reduce production costs and improve practicality. The Flying Eagle design debuted this new size, followed by the Indian Head and later the Lincoln cent in 1909, commemorating Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday. The Lincoln cent has undergone several reverse design changes, including the Wheat Ears, Lincoln Memorial, and the Union Shield. It remains the longest-running U.S. coin design.

The two-cent piece was introduced during the Civil War to address coin shortages. Notably, it was the first coin to bear the motto "In God We Trust." Despite its initial popularity, the coin saw declining use and was discontinued in 1873. Its short mintage period makes it a unique collectible.

Silver (1851–1873): Known as the "trime," this coin was introduced to facilitate small transactions and postage stamp purchases. Its tiny size made it unpopular, leading to its eventual discontinuation.

Nickel (1865–1889): Introduced post-Civil War, the nickel three-cent piece aimed to replace its silver counterpart. However, the coin's redundancy with the five-cent nickel led to its phase-out.

The five-cent nickel coin debuted in 1866, replacing the silver half dime. Early designs included the Shield and Liberty Head, with the Buffalo nickel introduced in 1913, depicting a Native American and an American bison. Since 1938, the Jefferson nickel has been standard, featuring President Thomas Jefferson and his home, Monticello. The nickel remains a staple in U.S. currency.

The half dime was one of the earliest silver coins minted in the U.S., valued at five cents. Smaller and lighter than the later nickel, it featured various designs, including the Draped Bust and Seated Liberty. The coin was eventually replaced by the nickel due to practicality and production considerations.

The dime, worth ten cents, has featured several iconic designs, such as the Draped Bust, Barber, and Mercury dimes. In 1946, the Roosevelt dime was introduced to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt's legacy. Modern dimes are composed of a copper-nickel clad, replacing the earlier silver composition.

A short-lived denomination, the twenty-cent piece was introduced to ease coin shortages in the West. However, its similarity in size and design to the quarter led to confusion, resulting in its quick discontinuation. Its brief mintage makes it a rare collector's item.

The quarter has undergone numerous design changes, from the early Draped Bust to the current Washington quarter. Notable series include the 50 State Quarters and the America the Beautiful series, celebrating national parks and sites. The quarter remains a widely used and collected coin.

The half dollar has featured various designs, including the Walking Liberty and Franklin halves. In 1964, the Kennedy half dollar was introduced following President John F. Kennedy's assassination. While still minted, half dollars see limited circulation today.

Early Dollars (1794–1804): The Flowing Hair and Draped Bust dollars were among the first silver dollars minted.

Trade Dollar (1873–1885): Created for trade in Asia, these coins had a higher silver content.

Morgan and Peace Dollars (1878–1935): These silver dollars are popular among collectors for their artistry and historical significance.

Modern Dollars: The Eisenhower, Susan B. Anthony, Sacagawea, and Presidential dollars have been introduced since 1971, with varying degrees of circulation and collector interest.