85 Cents

Dig out that pocket change - it's time for Think Thursday here at the mentalfloss.com Brain Game. Good luck!

Of these three currently-circulating U.S. coins, which has the most reeds (grooves) on its edge?

DIME (10-cent), QUARTER (25-cent), HALF-DOLLAR (50-cent)

Here is the ANSWER.

QUESTION:

Of these three currently-circulating U.S. coins, which has the most reeds on its edge? DIME (10-cent), QUARTER (25-cent), HALF-DOLLAR (50-cent)

ANSWER:

The half-dollar has the most, with 150 reeds. A dime has 118 reeds, while a quarter has 119. The current penny, nickel, and dollar coins do not have reeds.

Why do reeds exist? They date back to the era when coins were made of precious metal. Unscrupulous types would sometimes shave and keep strips of metal from the outer edge of a coin, a little at a time, so that it was still usable but not really worth its full amount. To prevent this, the U.S. Mint began minting the coins with reeds along the edge so that it would be more obvious when the coins had been shaved.

Thanks for playing! Tomorrow, it's Free-for-All Friday.