Kennedy Half Dollar (1964-Date)
Kennedy Half Dollar (1964-Date) The Kennedy Half Dollar – In 1963, one of the most tragic events in American history occurred: President Kennedy was assassinated. It was a major crisis for the public’s consciousness and to this day most people who were alive at the time can tell you exactly what they were doing when […]
Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963)
Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963) The Franklin Half Dollar is of enormous historical significance to American currency. Issued only a few years after WWII and at the beginning stages of the Cold War, this half dollar completed the transition of coin designs away from symbolic figures and artwork to actual historical figures. It was, in effect, […]
Four Dollar Stella $4 (1879-1880)
Four Dollar Stella $4 (1879-1880) At the beginning of the 19th century, America was a country filled to the brim with expansionist and global sentiments. Toward the second half of the century, now securing its borders, this sentiment shifted its focus to international trade. This brought the burgeoning democracy into what was at the time […]
Early Half Dollars – Flowing Hair, Draped Bust, and Capped Bust
Early Half Dollars – Flowing Hair, Draped Bust, and Capped Bust Flowing Hair Half Dollar The Silver Half Dollar began circulation in 1794 with the Flowing Hair design. Congress wanted a coin that would be “emblematic of liberty”. The Flowing Hair silver half dollar gets its name directly from the imagery on the coin’s face. […]
Early Silver Dollars – Flowing Hair and Draped Bust Silver Dollars (1794-1804)
Early Silver Dollars – Flowing Hair and Draped Bust Silver Dollars (1794-1804) Early on, the dollar was decided by Congress to be the cornerstone of the US monetary system. Some of the earliest dollar designs included the Flowing Hair, Capped Bust, and Draped Bust silver dollars. These silver dollars were the foundation of both modern […]
Early Quarter Eagles – Draped Bust, Capped Bust, and Capped Head
Early Quarter Eagles – Draped Bust, Capped Bust, and Capped Head Gold $2.50 Quarter Eagles (1796-1834) The 1796 Draped Bust was the first quarter eagle and was designed by Chief Engraver Robert Scot. It depicts a figure of Lady Liberty wearing a cap with the inscription of ‘LIBERTY’ above and the date below. On the […]
Classic Head $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle (1834-1839)
Classic Head $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle (1834-1839) In the 1830’s, there was a serious crisis with America’s gold coin circulation. A short while after US Congress established an official ratio for bimetallic coins at ratio of 15:1 silver to gold, the price of gold steadily raised all over the world. As a result, speculators would […]
Barber Half Dollar (1892-1915)
Barber Half Dollar (1892-1915) The Barber Half Dollar started with a contest. As the young United States cemented its identity, the US Mint looked for new designs for silver coinage to reflect the character of the fledgling nation. From the onset of this search for a new design, Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber wanted to […]
Three Cent Nickels (1865-1889)
Three Cent Nickels (1865-1889) Also known as the copper-nickel-three-cent piece or three-cent nickel piece, the three cent nickels are one of the US coins with a brief part in mintage history. It was only minted for 24 years before it was discontinued. The good news is 12 of those 24 different dates are considered rare […]