SILVER DOLLAR TYPES AND TERMS

Morgan Dollar - so called because it was designed by George T. Morgan in 1873.  It contains .773 troy ounces of silver. The Morgan dollar's last year of mintage was 1921, making it one of the most commonly minted coins in US history.

Trade Dollar - so called because it was used in Trade, primarily with the Orient. It contains .7874 ounces of pure silver.

Peace Dollar - issued after the Morgan dollar.  Its first year of mintage was 1921.  The coin was struck to commemorate peace, and was placed into circulation in 1922.  This coin also contains .773 troy ounces of silver.

Eisenhower, Susan B. Anthony. Sacajawea and Presidential - These are the modern versions of the dollars.  The Eisenhower dollar, in proof only, contains 40% silver.  The others contain no precious metal whatsoever, even in proof.

HALF DOLLARS

(All of these coins contain .36169 oz of pure silver)

Walking Liberty Half - Designed by Adolph A. Weinman, it was issued into circulation in 1916.  It also became the model for the American Silver Eagle coin, in 1986.

Franklin Half - Designed by John R. Sinnock, the obverse (see FAQ on coin terms ) features Benjamin Franklin in profile.

Kennedy - The obverse of this coin was designed by Gilroy Roberts.  The reverse of the coin was designed by Frank Gasparro.  Only the 1964 Kennedy Half contains 90% silver. The 1965 through 1969 coinage was 40% silver.

QUARTERS

Washington Quarter- this venerable design has been in circulation since 1932.  The obverse features a profile of George Washington, the Father of our country.  The reverse has changed over the years.  The eagle was featured until 1975 when a Minuteman was featured.  The Eagle returned in 1977, only to be replaced with the State design series, beginning in 1999.

DIME

The dime was first coined in 1796.

The designs of the dime are as follows:

Draped Bust (1796-1807), wit two different reverses

Capped Bust (1809-1837)with several design variations

Liberty Seated (1837-1891) with several varieties

Barber or Liberty Head (1892 1916)

Winged Liberty Head or "Mercury" dime (1916-1945)

Roosevelt (1946 to date)

The most commonly traded dimes now are the Mercury and the Roosevelt (up to and including 1964 mintage), as 90% silver.  The Mercury dime and the Roosevelt dime both contain 0.7234 ounces of pure silver, through and including 1964.

HALF DIME

This coin is never traded as a bullion piece; it is traded for its collector value only.  Its silver weight has varied over the years, as have the designs.

NICKEL(FIVE CENT PIECES)

The nickel was first struck in 1865.

The designs of the nickel:

Shield (1866-1883)

Liberty Head (or V Nickel) ( 1883-1912)

Indian Head (or Buffalo Nickel) (1913-1938)

Jefferson (1938 to date)

The Jefferson nickel has a composition of .75 copper and .25 nickel, EXCEPT for 1942 through 1945 when the compostion was .56 copper, .35 silver and .090 manganese.