Coin Mine

UNITED STATES COINS

Coin Composition

SILVER and CLAD COINAGE

http://www.coinfacts.com/

Designer:

Weight (grams):

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition:

Total Silver Content (oz.):

Nicknames:

Varieties:

Notes:

US MINTMARKS

No mark = Philadelphia, PA.
O = New Orleans, LA.
S = San Francisco, CC.
D = Denver, CO.

C = Charlotte, NC.

D =

CC = Carson City, NV

W = WestPoint, WV

DOLLARS

The Congress of the Republic of the united states of America authorized the Mint to produce Dollar coins of 416 grains silver at 0.8924 fine.

1794-1795

Flowing Hair Dollar

Designer: by Robert Scot.

Weight (grams): 26.96

Weight (grains): 416

Size: 39mm

Composition: Cupro-silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7737

Nicknames: Scrawny Chicken

Varieties: 1795 has two and three leave varieties;

Notes: The 1794 is a rare and expensive coin in any date.

1795-1804

Draped Bust Dollar; small eagle reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 26.96

Weight (grains):416

Size: 39mm

Composition: Cupro-silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7737

Nicknames:

Varieties: 1796 small date, letter in USoA; 1797 letter size, position of stars

Notes:

1798-1804

Draped Bust Dollar; heraldic eagle reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 26.96

Weight (grains):416

Size: 39mm

Composition: Cupro-silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7737

Total Silver Content (oz.):

Nicknames:

Varieties: Numerous varieties associated with arrows, berries, and lettering

Notes:

1836, 1838, 1839

Gobrecht Dollar

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams):

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition:

Total Silver Content (oz.):

Nicknames:

Varieties:

Notes: Although 1,600 1836 coins were released for circulation, the coin is considered a pattern, rather than a circulating US coin, by many collectors. The 1839 proofs were released into circulation. Restrikes exist for both the 1838 and 1839 coins.

1866-1873

Seated Liberty; reverse without motto

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 26.73

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition: 0.9 silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7736

Nicknames:

Varieties:

Notes: The No Motto variety was issued between 1840 and 1866. In 1866 the mint added the motto "In God We Trust" according to the Act of March 3, 1865. The Mint Act of Feb. 12, 1873 curtailed production of the seated dollar, an act panned by many at the time.

1866-1873

Seated Liberty; with motto

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams):26.73

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition:0.9 silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7736

Nicknames:

Varieties:

Notes: Only 12 examples of the 1870's are currently known. Although the mint reported striking the 1873s, no examples are known to have survived.

1873-1885

Trade Dollars

Designer: William Barber

Weight (grams): 27.22

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition: 0.9 silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7878

Nicknames:

Varieties:

Notes: These coins are heavily counterfeited in Asia. Caveat Emptor. Many of the genuine examples have chop marks that look like an X on the coin surface.

For more information:

http://tradedollarnut.com/

1878-1904, 1921

Morgan dollar

Designer: George T. Morgan

Weight (grams): 26.73

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition: 0.9 silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7736

Nicknames:

Varieties: 1878 7 and 8 tail feather varieties; spitting eagle variety, tail bar varities, etc. Morgan collectors place a premium on the Morgan Dollar varieties, of which there are many.

All die pairs produce a coin with a certain characteristic. Those coins produced which appear exactly as engraved are called a normal strike, or variety. In the Morgan dollar series these standard strikes are termed 'VAM-1, Normal Die'. Those coins with variations caused by nuances in the dies then have a new VAM. VAMs are only used for Morgan dollars. Around 2,500 - 3,000 are known.

The term VAM is not an abbreviation, rather it is the shortening of the individual names who developed the convention, Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis.

For more information, see:

Encyclopedia of Morgans and Peace Dollars 4th edition by Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis

Notes: These VAMs carry a strong premium for early die state versions that have such a strong strike that the background surface filed looks deep like still waters. These beautiful specimens are known as cameo or deep cameo.

Here's a great site for more VAM info:

http://www.vamworld.com/Morgan+VAMs+By+Date

1921-1935

Peace dollar

Designer: Anthony De Francisci

Weight (grams): 26.73

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition:0.9 silver

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.7736

Nicknames:

Varieties:

Notes: The 1921 Peace Dollar differs from all others in its high-relief (concave fields) design.

The re-introduction of the Silver Dollar ( 1964 Peace Dollar ) upset the wrong people. The US mint actually produced the 64 Dollar, supposedly destroying them all. Congress, owned by all the right people, followed up with the coinage act of 1965 and accelerated the debasement we enjoy today.

Here's a good resource to determine the authenticity of the set's key, the 1928:

http://www.oicoins.com/index_files/Page679.htm

1971 -1974, 1977 - 1978

Eisenhower Dollar

Designer: Frank Gasparro

Weight (grams): 22.68

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition: cupro-nickel on copper core

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

Nicknames:

Varieties: 1971 Proof 'Pegleg' Varity where the left leg of the 'R' in Liberty has no serif.

Additional information on 'Ike' varieties here: http://www.supercoin.com/iketypes/

Obverse depicts President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Reverse pictures the landing on the moon.

1976

Eisenhower dollar

Designer: Frank Gasparro

Weight (grams): 22.68

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition: cupro-nickel on copper core

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

Nicknames:

Varieties: Moon and Liberty Bell reverse. This coin had two types; type one had larger reverse lettering font than type 2.

Notes: For the Bicentennial dollar, the obverse was generally the same except the dates 1776-1976 were added. For the reverse, however, an completely new design featured a big meteor pocked moon and Liberty Bell. A miniature eagle was featured because the congress said so.

In 1976 the Bicentennial the dollar still portrayed the bust of Eisenhower, though the dual date 1776-1976 was added. A completely new reverse graced the coin, depicting the Liberty Bell and the moon.

1976

Eisenhower dollar

Designer: Frank Gasparro

Weight (grams): 24.59

Weight (grains):

Size: 38.1 mm

Composition: 40 percent silver; silver on copper core

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3162

Nicknames:

Varieties: Moon and Liberty Bell reverse. This coin had two types; type one had larger reverse lettering font than type 2.

Notes:

1977 - 1981

Susan B. Anthony dollar

Designer: Frank Gasparro

Weight (grams): 8.1

Weight (grains): 125.02

Size: 26.50 millimeters

Composition: Outer 75% Copper, 25% Nickel with 100% Copper copper core.

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

Nicknames:

Varieties:

Notes:

2000-Current

Sacagawea dollar

Designer: Glenna Goodacre (obv), Thomas D. Rogers, Sr. (rev)

Weight (grams): 8.07

Weight (grains):

Size: 26.5 millimeters Composition: Manganese and bronze: 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% magnesium and 2% nickel.

The US mint had not used this since experiments with Wartime Nickels forced by wartime shortages of strategic metals. In WWII the US mint had great difficulty providing quality coins with this alloy. The hubris of the US Mint in 2000 proved greater than their technical ability, as the Sacagawea dollar proved unpleasant, with numerous specimens holding spots, ugly tarnish and other discoloration.

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0

Nicknames:

Varieties: In an effort to compensate for the poor quality coin finishes, the US Mint experimented, though has not published, alternate coin finishes and washes in 2001, accidentally releasing several hundred into circulation. The mint employed other finishes for a VIP strike in 2001 and a 5,000-piece lot of specially finished (burnished) specimens to designer Glenna Goodacre (obv), as payment for the design.

Notes: The mint prepared 12 samples in 22k gold - the 2002 specimens.

1986 - Current

Silver Eagle

Designer:

Weight (grams):

Weight (grains):

Size:

Composition: 99.93% silver and .07% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): 1.0 oz

Nicknames: Walking Liberty

Varieties:

Notes:

HALF DOLLARS

1794-1795

Flowing Hair Half Dollar

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams):13.48 grams

Weight (grains):208 grains

Size: 32.5 millimeters

Composition: Silver 89.2%, Copper - 10.8%

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3869

Edge: Lettered - 'Fifty Cents', or, 'Half a Dollar'

Nicknames:

Varieties: Al C. Overton developed the variety nomenclature for this series still in use today; 1795 'three leaves' variety.

Notes:

Further Resources: Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins. Walter Breen

Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836, Third Edition. Al C. Overton and Don Parsley

1796-1797

Draped Bust Half Dollar - Small Eagle Reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams):13.48 grams

Weight (grains):208 grains

Size: 32.5 millimeters

Composition: 89.2%, Copper - 10.8%

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3869

Nicknames: Scrawny chicken reverse.

Varieties: 1796 has 15 and 16 star varieties.

Notes:

1801-1807

Draped Bust Half Dollar - Small Eagle Reverse

Designer: Robert Scot

Weight (grams): 13.48 grams

Weight (grains): 208 grains

Size: 32.5 millimeters

Composition: 89.2%, Copper - 10.8%

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3869

Nicknames: Scrawny chicken reverse.

Varieties: 1803 variety has varying size of number '3' in the date; 1806 variety has differing style of '6' in date, size of stars, and olive branch and stem length; the 1807 has numerous minor strike varieties.

Notes:

1807-1836

Capped Bust

Designer: John Reich

Weight (grams):13.48

Weight (grains):

Size: 32.5 mm. (varies between 32 and 33 mm)

Composition: 8924 silver, .1076 copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): . 0.3869

Nicknames:

Varieties: This series contains many differing strikes and varieties over the design span.

The 1822/1 overdate diagnostic is the base of the second 2 is much thicker than the first 2.

Notes:

Grading:

G-4 GOOD - Date and letters legible. Bust worn smooth with outline distinct.
VG-8 VERY GOOD- LIBERTY faint. Legends distinguishable. Clasp at shoulder visible; curl above it nearly smooth.
F-12 FINE - Clasp and adjacent curl clearly outlined with slight details|
VF-20 VERY FINE- Clasp at shoulder clear. Wear visible on highest point of curl. Hair over brow distinguishable.
EF-40 EXTREMELY FINE - Clasp and adjacent curl fairly sharp. Brow and hair above distinct. Curls well defined.

1836-1839

Capped Bust

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams):13.36

Weight (grains): 208

Size: 30 mm

Composition: 8924 silver, .1076 copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): . 0.3867

Nicknames:

Varieties: The 1836 and 1837 have '50 cents' below the eagle on the reverse. The 1838 and 1839 have 'Half. Dol.' in the same location.

Notes:

1839-1853

Seated Liberty

Designer: Thomas Sully and Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams):13.36

Weight (grains): 208

Size: 30 mm

Composition: 8924 silver, .1076 copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): . 0.3867

Nicknames:

Varieties:

The 1839 through 1853 halves have several strikes and varieties regarding size and type of lettering and length of drapery.

1853-1873

Seated Liberty

Designer: Thomas Sully and Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams):12.44

Weight (grains): 192

Size: 30 mm

Composition: 8924 silver, .1076 copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): . 0.36

Nicknames:

Varieties:

An 1853 and 1853-O type has arrows on either side oft he date on the obverse and rays emanating from the eagle on the reverse.

1854-1855 have the rays around the eagle removed. (Rays have always been exceedingly difficult for the US mint to properly strike).

1856-1866 have the arrows at the date removed.

1866-1873 had the motto, within a banner above the eagle, added to the reverse: "In God We Trust".

Notes: An 1873-s without arrows was produced though no surviving specimens are known.

1873-1891

Seated Liberty

Designer: Thomas Sully and Christian Gobrecht

Weight (grams): 12.5

Weight (grains): 193

Size: 30 mm

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): . 0.3618

Nicknames:

Varieties:

1892-1916

Barber Halves

Designer: Charles Barber.

Weight (grams): 12.5

Weight (grains): 193

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3618

Nicknames:

Varieties: 1892 micro-o

Notes: Reeded edge.

Grade Population for three key barber halves and the 1901-s quarter:

PCGS     VG/lower F VF 40 45 50 53 55 58 60/61 62 63 64 65 66 67 TOTAL
1901-o     1             3 9     2    2 3    2 5    1     7      4    7   3   2 1         52
1901-s     7             6 1      3   9 8    4 2     6    1/1    8    7   8 5   3    2   90
1902-s     1             3 3     2    5 5    5 2     5     9      7    6   4 2              59
1904-s     19          10 15 3    5 3    4 9     8     2     3     6  14 3 1    2   107

NGC     VG/lower     F VF 40 45 50 53 55 58 60/61 62 63 64 65 66 67 TOTAL
1901-o     1                2 2     3 2     6 2     4 5    10      6    2                     45
1901-s     6                 5 6     1 2     1 2     2 4     1      3     5 3    2 1       44
1902-s     2                 1 2     2 1     5 7     5 6     5 5   5     1                     47
1904-s     9                 5 7     2 2     2 2     13 4   1 3    4    2  1    1           58
Summary: 02s and 01 halves are grades with pricing anomalies compared to availability, not mintage.

1916-1947

Walking Liberty

Designer: Adolph Alexander Weinman

Weight (grams): 12.5

Weight (grains): 193

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.):

Nicknames:

Varieties:

Notes: Reeded edge. This coin in widely recognized by collectors as one of America's most beautiful coins. Lady Liberty's thumbs serve as pick-up points. Although the 1938-D has a low mintage, coins such as the 20-D and even the 37-D can be even tougher to find in XF-Au grades

1948-1963

Franklin Half Dollar

Designer: John R. Sinnock (obverse); John Frederick Lewis (reverse)

Weight (grams): 12.5

Weight (grains): 193

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.):

Nicknames:

Varieties:

Notes: Reeded edge. Collectors search for well-struck coins with full bell lines on the liberty bell.

1964 (only)

Kennedy Half

Designer: Gilroy Roberts (obverse); Frank Gasparro (reverse)

Weight (grams): 12.5

Weight (grains): 193

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.3618

Nicknames:

Varieties: Accented Hair.

Notes: Collectors search for well-struck coins with deep and reflective watery-looking mirrors known as cameo or deep-cameo.

There was no Ag in the Kennedy Half after 1976 again until 1992s, and on, in the silver proof set.

The Kennedy Half provides one of the greatest ironic and iconic lessons in US monetary history. Kennedy, via Executive Order, took on the Federal Reserve and provided for a US Note to replace the Federal Reserve Note. So, they put a couple bullets in him. Then, they removed all silver from US coinage the next year, EXCEPT for the half dollar. The US put his face on this particular issue and watered down the precious metal from 90% to 40%. This coin and the event surrounding serve as a salient lesson for all those that may in the future decide to attack the banking oligarchy.

1965-1970

Kennedy Half

Designer: Gilroy Roberts (obverse); Frank Gasparro (reverse)

Weight (grams): 11.5

Weight (grains): 178

Size: 30.6 mm

Composition: 40% silver, 60% copper

Total Silver Content (oz.): 0.1480

Nicknames:

Varieties: Accented Hair 1965 DDreverse, 1966 DDobverse, 1967 DDO and DDR (two)