Friday puzzle -- US coin and currency

Hint: two of the coins

New Jersey quarter

South Dakota quarter

If you figure out the way to get the other $17.01 and the unusual feature, that feature is true of these two coins as well.

Re: Friday puzzle -- US coin and currency

Until the hint I had it as a $10, $5, $2, $.50 and $.01

But I guess you could substitute the two quarters for the 50 cent piece.

Lee

Correct partial answer -- hint

Yes, the other denominations are $10, $5, $2, and $.01. But you need a little more specificity (which penny?), then need to find what all have in common.

Another hint

The penny that shares the property in question with the ten, five, and two dollar bills and two NJ and SD quarters is the Lincoln penny from 1959 or later.

My first guess . . .

After a little research in my own pocket. They all appear to have a connection to Washington, either the place or the person, although the back of the Two Dollar Bill has me puzzled. Before 1976, it was Monticello, Jefferson's home; after 1976, it was a depiction of the Pine-Savage Engraving of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, to which Washington was not a signatory nor present. Must re-think the problems, I suppose.

Fred Nelson

Under grey skies in Eastern Missouri

Re: My first guess . . .

the Two Dollar Bill has me puzzled. Before 1976, it was Monticello, Jefferson's home; after 1976, it was a depiction of the Pine-Savage Engraving of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence,

I wasn't aware of that distinction. The post-1976 version is the one that meets the condition I was looking for.

Castor and Pollux

were twins. They were both horsemen. Both were linked to the Trojan wars and they were the basis of the Astrological Gemini. I'm guessing Gemini rather than horses might be involved.

Consider Janus as well

Janus was a twin and in many respects

not a good diety. He was two faced and represented a full circle of life. Beyond that I cannot make a connection to the original question unless like the $2 bill Declaration it has to do with the end of English rule.

Very close

not a good diety. He was two faced and represented a full circle of life. Beyond that I cannot make a connection to the original question unless like the $2 bill Declaration it has to do with the end of English rule.

The answer might require a magnifying glass.

Solution

You must pay with: A 10-dollar bill, a 5-dollar bill, a 2 dollar bill, a New Jersey 25 cent piece, a South Dakota 25 Cent piece, and a Lincoln Penny dated 1959 or later.

All of these forms of tender feature a picture of the same person on the front and reverse.

1) The 10-dollar bill features Alexander Hamilton on the front and the U.S. Treasury on the reverse. Erected in front of the Treasury, and visible on the reverse of the bill, is a statue of Alexander Hamilton.

2) The 5-dollar bill features Abraham Lincoln on the front and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse, the statue of Lincoln can be seen seated inside the memorial.

3) The 2-dollar bill features Thomas Jefferson on the front and John Trumbull's "Declaration of Independence" on the reverse. Thomas Jefferson is shown standing at the table in this painting. (Frederick pointed out that this needs to be a post-1976 $2 bill.)

4) The New Jersey 25-cent piece features George Washington on the front and the individual state's design on the reverse. New Jersey selected the crossing of the Delaware River. George Washington can be seen in his famous pose at the prow of his boat.

5) The South Dakota 25-cent piece also features George Washington on the front. South Dakota elected to include a representation of Mount Rushmore on the reverse. Washington is clearly seen on the far left.

6) The penny, like the 5-dollar bill, features Lincoln on the front and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. In a stunning attention to detail, the statue of Lincoln can still be seen on the coin. (All four 2009 pennies also have Lincoln on the back.)