Thinnest U.S. Coins, At Around 1/20th Of An Inch Crossword Clue

By: Five Letter Words | Last edited: May 05, 2025

Looking to solve the challenging Thinnest U.S. coins, at around 1/20th of an inch crossword clue in the May 05, 2025 New York Times Mini puzzle? We've determined the exact 5-letter answer you're seeking. For a more interactive experience, we've developed helpful features to assist you. You can unveil the solution letter by letter with our progressive reveal tool, or explore our carefully crafted hints—such as a useful word pattern, an alternative clue with the same answer, or a detailed definition to guide your thinking. We've also made navigating between related clues from the same puzzle straightforward and intuitive. Ready to master this numismatic crossword challenge? Let's discover the solution together!

Crossword Answer:

NEW YORK TIMES MINI, MAY / 05 / 2025
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About This Clue

The May 05, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Thinnest U.S. coins, at around 1/20th of an inch" with the answer DIMES. This clue relies on knowledge of U.S. currency specifications, specifically asking for the thinnest denomination in circulation. Numismatic and currency-related clues appear frequently in NYT crosswords, testing solvers' knowledge of both common and obscure facts about money.

Numismatic and Historical Context

The U.S. dime, worth ten cents, has been a part of American currency since the Coinage Act of 1792. Modern dimes are made from a clad composition of copper and nickel (91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel) and measure approximately 1.35 millimeters in thickness, which is indeed about 1/20th of an inch. The dime's thinness is a distinctive characteristic that sets it apart from other U.S. coins. By comparison, pennies are 1.52 mm thick, nickels are 1.95 mm, quarters are 1.75 mm, and half dollars are 2.15 mm. This makes the dime notably the thinnest coin in standard U.S. circulation. The modern dime features President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse (front) side, a design that was introduced in 1946 shortly after Roosevelt's death, in part to honor his efforts in founding the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (now known as the March of Dimes). The reverse side displays a torch, an olive branch, and an oak branch, symbolizing liberty, peace, and strength. Interestingly, dimes are the only coins where the value isn't explicitly stated in numbers - there's no "10 cents" or "10¢" marking on the coin, only the word "ONE DIME." The small size and thinness of the dime relative to its value make it an efficient use of materials. Despite being physically smaller than the nickel (which is worth half as much), the dime's status as the thinnest U.S. coin makes it immediately recognizable by touch alone, an important feature for visually impaired individuals. This specificity about the dime's thickness makes it an excellent fit for a crossword clue, as it combines common knowledge (what a dime is) with a more specific fact (that it's the thinnest U.S. coin) to lead solvers to the correct answer.

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When tackling clues about currency in the NYT Mini Crossword, it's helpful to be familiar with common denominations and their physical characteristics. For clues specifically about U.S. coins, remember that there are six main coins in regular circulation: penny (1¢), nickel (5¢), dime (10¢), quarter (25¢), half dollar (50¢), and dollar coins. The clue "Thinnest U.S. coins, at around 1/20th of an inch" contains specific details that narrow down the possible answers. The mention of "thinnest" and a precise measurement are key indicators pointing to DIMES rather than other coin denominations. The five-letter constraint for this answer also helps, as many coin names have different lengths: PENNY (5), NICKEL (6), DIME (4), DIMES (5), QUARTER (7), PENNY (5), DOLLAR (6). Since the clue uses the plural "coins," DIMES fits as the five-letter answer. For currency-related clues in general, be aware of both formal and colloquial terms. Official designations (dime, quarter) as well as slang terms (buck, sawbuck) frequently appear in crosswords. Also, remember that the Mini Crossword often uses more common, everyday knowledge rather than obscure facts, making the physical characteristics of widely-circulated coins like the dime perfect fodder for clues.

Related Crossword Answers

DIMES

Clue: "Coins worth 10¢ each"

PENNY

Clue: "Smallest value U.S. coin"

MINT

Clue: "Facility where coins are produced"

NICKEL

Clue: "Five-cent coin"

More Clues & Answers For The New York Times Mini (May 05, 2025)

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