Lessons That Make Cents | Coin Classroom

Evolution of the Auto Assembly Line

Monthly Mint Trivia: Which U.S. Mint American Innovation $1 Coin design depicted a series of vehicles?

Championing Innovation

The automobile assembly line revolutionized the auto industry and changed the manufacturing world. It significantly increased production, enhanced efficiency, and made cars more accessible to people all over the world. Read on to explore the Mint’s most popular resources and suggestions on additional tools to enhance classroom learning and support learning objectives.

U.S. Mint education resources:

Life of a Coin: Learn about the production of coins and how they circulate to banks and stores.
G.W. Jigsaw Puzzle: Interactive online game that helps students improve critical thinking skills.
That’s a Lot of Coins: Lesson plan that focuses on problem-solving strategies.
Design Your Own Coin: Create a design of the ideal automobile of the future.

Educational resources from around the web:

Balloon-Powered Car: Learn how to make a car powered by a balloon with this hands-on STEM activity from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The First Automobile Assembly Line (Grades 6-12): Watch this video on PBS Learning Media to discover how the automobile assembly line revolutionized American history.

Coin of the Month: 2025 American Innovation $1 Coin – Michigan

The obverse (heads) design features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile with the inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “$1.” The design also includes a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation.

The Michigan American Innovation $1 Coin reverse (tail) design features a 1930s-era assembly line where a team of auto workers lowers an automobile cab into place. Included inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “MICHIGAN,” and “AUTO ASSEMBLY LINE.”

Print Coloring Sheet

American Innovation $1 Coin – Michigan Innovation $1 Coin obverse

American Innovation $1 Coin – Michigan Innovation $1 Coin reverse

Denver Virtual Tour

Check out the coin production process at the Denver Mint.

Artistic Tradition at the U.S. Mint

Learn how U.S. Mint artists are influenced to create the designs that appear on coins.

Coin Stamper

Use this game to challenge your students to see who can stamp the most coins in a minute.

Trivia Answer: The 2023 Indiana American Innovation $1 Coin reverse (tails) design depicted a series of vehicles from past and present, including an early style gas automobile, a representation of classic car production, and a recent model of an Indy style race car.