Welcome to the coin circus, where you'll learn amazing facts about the world's strangest coins. These coins may not be in your pocket change, but years ago they were used by real people. Enjoy the show!

Ant Noses and Copper Elephants … on the Loose!
Back in the year 600 B.C., people in China used a coin called an ant nose to buy food and clothing. These coins were not tiny like ants, and they didn't look like noses. However "ant nose" was the type of copper used to make them.

In 1694, you could find copper elephants in America! No, not life-size elephants dressed in copper. England made copper coins called elephant tokens used in the colonies.

A Stampede of Coins
Horses helped make the first U.S. coins. That's right! When the U.S. Mint first started making coins, there was no "on" button to operate the coin press. The Mint needed horse-power from real horses and oxen to run the coin presses before 1816.

Pickled Pennies on Parade
Pickled pennies sound silly, but they are real. They don't taste or smell like pickles, but they are "pickled." In fact, all of today's coins are soaked in special chemicals before they are made into coins.

Now you know about some of the wackiest coins around. Want to learn more? Visit www.usmint.gov/kids.*

* Web site is provided for information only.