U.S. Coin Guide — Every Series Explained

Flying Eagle Cent

An eagle flying left with outstretched wings, surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date below.

1859–1909

Indian Head Cent

Liberty facing left wearing a Native American feathered headdress with LIBERTY on the headband, surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the date.

3 varieties 5 key dates

1909–1958

Lincoln Wheat Cent

Abraham Lincoln's portrait facing right, with IN GOD WE TRUST above, LIBERTY to the left, and the date to the right.

8 varieties 5 key dates

1959–2008

Lincoln Memorial Cent

Abraham Lincoln's portrait facing right with IN GOD WE TRUST above, LIBERTY to the left, and the date to the right.

10 varieties 3 key dates

2009–2009

Lincoln Bicentennial Cent

The familiar Lincoln portrait facing right with IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date 2009.

2 varieties 2 key dates

2010–2025

Lincoln Shield Cent

The classic Lincoln portrait facing right with IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date — unchanged since 1909.

2 key dates

1866–1883

Shield Nickel

A large ornate shield with a cross on top, flanked by laurel branches, with the date below.

4 varieties 5 key dates

1883–1913

Liberty Head Nickel

Liberty facing left wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, surrounded by 13 stars with the date below.

3 varieties 4 key dates

1913–1938

Buffalo Nickel

A right-facing portrait of a Native American man with feathers in his hair, with the date on his shoulder.

4 varieties 6 key dates

1938–2003

Jefferson Nickel

Thomas Jefferson's left-facing portrait with IN GOD WE TRUST in front of his face and the date behind his shoulder.

6 varieties 5 key dates

2004–2005

Westward Journey Nickel

2004 kept the classic left-facing Jefferson portrait, while 2005 introduced a dramatic close-up of Jefferson with 'Liberty' in his own handwriting.

1 varieties 2 key dates

2006–2026

Jefferson Nickel (Modern Obverse)

A forward-facing portrait of Jefferson looking slightly right, with 'Liberty' in his handwriting and the date and mint mark below.

3 key dates

1892–1916

Barber Dime

Liberty faces right wearing a laurel wreath and a cap with a headband reading LIBERTY, with the date below.

2 varieties 5 key dates

1916–1945

Mercury (Winged Liberty) Dime

Liberty faces left wearing a winged cap, with LIBERTY around the rim and the date at lower right.

3 varieties 4 key dates

1946–2026

Roosevelt Dime

Franklin D. Roosevelt faces left with LIBERTY along the rim, IN GOD WE TRUST at lower left, and the date at lower right.

5 varieties 4 key dates

1892–1916

Barber Quarter

Liberty faces right wearing a laurel wreath and a small cap, with LIBERTY on a headband and the date below.

1 varieties 4 key dates

1916–1930

Standing Liberty Quarter

Liberty stands in a gateway between two pillars, holding a shield in one hand and an olive branch in the other, with the date on the pedestal below.

1 varieties 4 key dates

1932–1998

Washington Quarter

George Washington's bust faces left with LIBERTY above, IN GOD WE TRUST at left, and the date below.

11 varieties 7 key dates

1999–2008

50 State Quarters

A restyled Washington portrait faces left with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and QUARTER DOLLAR below, moved from the reverse to make room for the state designs.

5 varieties 3 key dates

2009–2009

DC & US Territories Quarters

The same restyled Washington portrait used on the State Quarters, facing left.

1 varieties 3 key dates

2010–2021

America the Beautiful Quarters

The familiar restyled Washington portrait faces left, carried over from the State Quarters era.

3 key dates

2021–2021

Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter

The original 1932 Flanagan portrait of Washington, restored for this one-year design.

2 key dates

2022–2025

American Women Quarters

Washington faces right in a portrait sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser, originally created for the 1932 design competition and finally used 90 years later.

3 key dates

1892–1915