In the United States, we use four common coins in our day-to-day lives: the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter. Each coin has a specific value and its own unique look. Learning to tell them apart is the first step to understanding money.

Let's start with the easiest coin to spot. The penny is the only common U.S. coin that is copper-colored. If you see a brownish coin, you can be sure it's a penny. On the front, you'll find the face of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. President.

A penny is worth 1 cent. Because it represents the smallest value, you often see a lot of them. The back of the penny has changed over the years, but you'll usually see either the Lincoln Memorial building or a shield.

The other three common coins are all silver in color. This is where paying attention to size and detail becomes important. The coins are the nickel, the dime, and the quarter.

Let's look at each one. The nickel features Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd U.S. President, on the front. It's smooth around the edge and is thicker than a dime. A nickel is worth 5 cents.

The dime is the smallest and thinnest of all the coins. It has ridges around its edge. The face on the dime is Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd U.S. President. A dime is worth 10 cents.

Finally, the quarter is the largest of the four coins. It also has ridges around the edge, just like a dime. George Washington, the very first U.S. President, is on the front. A quarter is worth 25 cents. The back of the quarter often changes, featuring designs for each of the 50 states, national parks, and other important American figures and events.

It can be helpful to see all the coins side-by-side to compare their features. This chart summarizes the key details for each coin.

Now that you've been introduced to the coins, let's see how well you can identify them.

Great job. Recognizing these coins is an important skill you'll use all the time.