What Is the Difference Between Coins and Bills?

Coins and bills are both money, but they look and act differently.

Imagine you have a piggy bank full of coins, those little round things that jingle when you shake it. Coins are like the small change you get from the candy store, such as 1¢, 5¢, or 10¢ pieces. They’re easy to carry in your pocket and count one by one.

Now think about a bill, it’s like a piece of paper that has numbers on it, like $1, $5, or even $20. Bills are easier to carry when you have a lot of money because you can fold them up and put them in your wallet.

• Coins are good for small amounts and feel nice when they clink together.
• Bills are better for bigger amounts and are lighter to carry around.

You might use coins to buy gummy bears, but you’d probably use a bill to buy a toy. Both help you get what you want, just in different ways!