Mario (Series)

The Mario series feature coins as a very common collectible. Coins have become a staple of the franchise, and it could be argued that they are the most iconic coin to be in any video game. They are the main form of currency in the Mushroom Kingdom, and have varying effects and purposes depending on the game. In a standard Mario platformer for example, they are used for increase the player's score and will grant the player an extra life if a certain amount are collected. This differs from how Coins act in Mario Kart, as they increase the racer's speed.

Along with normal Coins, varying types of coins also exist within many games of the Mario franchise. Generally, these coins exist as a way to gain more coins or as contribution to 100% completion.

Additionally, coins from the Mario franchise may appear in other Nintendo franchises. These instances will NOT be included on this page. Only entries from Mario games will be included.

  The Mario Wiki has a page on coins as well.

Yellow Coin
Yellow Coins, also known as Gold Coins, are the main types of coins to be found in the Mario series. They are shiny, golden, and can feature different designs on their face. In some games, there may be no design. In others, there can be a thin marking or a star on its obverse. The coins themselves can vary in size, sometimes being nearly as big as Mario himself to being much smaller. They are usually out in the open, usually floating in the air for the player to jump and collect. However, they can also be stored in blocks, enemies, and other objects.

Yellow Coins play many different roles in the Mario series. In platformers, they provide can points and lives. In most Mario games, gaining 100 of these coins can give the player an extra life. However, they can also act as currency and as an upgrade depending on the game.

Mario Bros.
Coins first appeared in the 1983 Arcade hit Mario Bros. Unlike most Mario games, they are rather uncommon collectibles. Rather than hovering out in the open, they can spawn out of pipes and drag along the floor for Mario or Luigi to collect. When collected, the player will receive 800 points. A dollar sign appears whenever the coins are collected.

VS. Wrecking Crew / Wrecking Crew
Coins appear in the bonus games of VS. Wrecking Crew and Wrecking Crew. In VS. Wrecking Crew, Mario must smash walls to find a hidden coin in a certain amount of time. In Wrecking Crew for the NES, Mario must compete against Foreman Spike in finding the coin.

Ace Coins
Ace Coins are a large, red type of coin that only appear in Super Mario Advance. There are five in each level, adding up to one hundred total in the entire game. Collecting every Ace Coin is required to 100% the game. Collecting all five Ace Coins in a level in a single run rewards you with an extra life.

Trivia

 * Mario is the first ever video game to include coins.
 * Mario is also the franchise with by far the most number of coins, spanning dozens of Mario games with hundreds of ways to collect them.
 * In Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, the titular "treasure" is heavily implied, if not down right confirmed in game, to be coins.
 * Although it is still up for debate which Mario game has the most coins, it's probably New Super Mario Bros. 2.
 * Considering the size of a coin relative to Mario, it can be safely assumed that a falling coin could potentially cause bruising, fracturing, spraining, concussions and possibly even death (if dropped from high enough).