With coins, we literally carry the past in our pockets. But most of us seldom stop and think about the historical riches at our fingertips.

This site aims to change that! As we discover the hidden stories behind our coins, we can develop a fascination that can last a lifetime.

H.I.P. Pocket Change is also about building an online educational community. Teachers help to prepare its lesson plans and can share the innovative ways they find to use coins in the classroom. The site would not have been possible without the contributions of teachers and organizations like the Department of Education.

The United States Mint H.I.P. Pocket Change™ Web site shows how connected people are to coins. The games, stories, and other activities bring coins to life. They present not only the extraordinary people pictured on the coins, but also the generations of citizens who have carried this change. What a great place to examine the “History In your Pocket” (H.I.P.)!