Thinnest U.S. coins, at around 1/20th of an inch NYT crossword clue

The clue “Thinnest U.S. coins, at around 1/20th of an inch” refers to DIMES, which are the thinnest coins in regular circulation in the United States. Measuring about 1.35 millimeters thick—roughly 1/20th of an inch—dimes are smaller and lighter than nickels, quarters, and pennies, despite being worth more than both pennies and nickels. Their compact size makes them unique among American coins, both in terms of physical dimensions and historical significance.

Introduced in 1796, the dime has long been a part of U.S. coinage, and its design has changed over time—from the Draped Bust to the Mercury dime and today’s Roosevelt dime. Its small size is a frequent subject of trivia and puzzle clues, especially when subtle details like dimensions are involved. Crossword clues like this one reward solvers with sharp attention to detail and a bit of knowledge about everyday objects we often take for granted.