Never before in US history have coins been less valuable. In 1857, officials did away with the half-cent coin, which was then worth about $0.14 in today’s money.

According to the U.S. Mint, the five-cent coin or nickel was created in 1866. At that time, the units were known as “shield coins.” By 1883, these coins evolved into the Liberty Head, ...

The nickel has a long history in U.S. money, though it wasn’t the country’s first 5-cent coin. That honor goes to a “half-dime” that first appeared in 1794. Early 5-cent pieces weren’t ...