United States Silver Coins
19th and 20th Century Silver Coins of the United States
Seated Liberty Dollar (1840-1873)
- Purity: 90% Silver
- Obverse: Features the figure of Lady Liberty seated on a rock, holding a shield in one hand and a staff with a liberty cap in the other.
- Reverse: Depicts an eagle holding arrows and an olive branch, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination inscribed.
- Denomination: $1
- Numismatic Value: $300 to $2,000 depending on condition and mint mark
Trade Dollar (1873-1885)
- Purity: 90% Silver
- Obverse: Lady Liberty seated, facing left, with a shield in the foreground and "LIBERTY" inscribed on it.
- Reverse: Eagle holding arrows and an olive branch.
- Denomination: $1
- Numismatic Value: $250 to $3,000 depending on condition and mint mark
Morgan Dollar (1878-1921)
- Purity: 90% Silver
- Obverse: A profile of Lady Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap, symbolic of freedom.
- Reverse: An eagle holding arrows and an olive branch, surrounded by the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination.
- Denomination: $1
- Numismatic Value: $20 to $10,000 depending on rarity, mint mark, and condition
Peace Dollar (1921-1935)
- Purity: 90% Silver
- Obverse: A portrait of Lady Liberty in profile with rays emanating from her head.
- Reverse: An eagle perched on a rock, clutching an olive branch, with the word "PEACE" inscribed below.
- Denomination: $1
- Numismatic Value: $30 to $5,000 depending on condition, rarity, and mint mark
Barber Dime (1892-1916)
- Purity: 90% Silver
- Obverse: Features a profile of Lady Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap and a laurel wreath.
- Reverse: A wreath encircling the denomination.
- Denomination: 10¢
- Numismatic Value: $5 to $400 depending on condition and rarity
Mercury Dime (1916-1945)
- Purity: 90% Silver
- Obverse: A profile of Liberty wearing a winged cap, symbolizing freedom of thought.
- Reverse: A fasces (bundle of rods) and an olive branch, symbolizing peace and strength.
- Denomination: 10¢
- Numismatic Value: $2 to $1,000 depending on condition and mint mark
Barber Quarter (1892-1916)
- Purity: 90% Silver
- Obverse: Lady Liberty's profile wearing a Phrygian cap.
- Reverse: An eagle with arrows and an olive branch, surrounded by stars and inscriptions.
- Denomination: 25¢
- Numismatic Value: $10 to $600 depending on condition and rarity
Standing Liberty Quarter (1916-1930)
- Purity: 90% Silver
- Obverse: Liberty standing, holding a shield and an olive branch.
- Reverse: An eagle in flight, surrounded by stars.
- Denomination: 25¢
- Numismatic Value: $30 to $3,000 depending on condition and mint mark
Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916-1947)
- Purity: 90% Silver
- Obverse: A full-length image of Liberty walking toward the sun, holding branches of laurel and oak.
- Reverse: An eagle perched on a mountain crag.
- Denomination: 50¢
- Numismatic Value: $10 to $1,000 depending on condition and mint mark
Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963)
- Purity: 90% Silver
- Obverse: Features the profile of Benjamin Franklin.
- Reverse: Depicts the Liberty Bell and a small eagle to the side.
- Denomination: 50¢
- Numismatic Value: $7 to $500 depending on condition and mint mark
Silver Kennedy Half Dollar (1964)
- Purity: 90% Silver (1964)
- Obverse: Features the profile of President John F. Kennedy.
- Reverse: The Presidential Seal, with an eagle holding arrows and an olive branch.
- Denomination: 50¢
- Numismatic Value: $10 to $50 depending on condition
Points of Interest
The Morgan Dollar is one of the most collected U.S. coins, with key dates like the 1893-S and 1889-CC commanding significant premiums in high grades.
The Peace Dollar was minted to commemorate the end of World War I and features a design that symbolizes peace.
The Mercury Dime was not officially named after the Roman god Mercury, but the winged cap led to that common nickname. Its actual name is the Winged Liberty Head Dime.
The Standing Liberty Quarter was initially designed with a bare-breasted Liberty, which caused controversy and led to a redesign in 1917.
The Franklin Half Dollar was the first U.S. coin to feature a non-president, chosen for Franklin's contributions to American independence and diplomacy.
1964 was the final year for 90% silver coinage in the U.S., marking the end of an era for silver coins intended for circulation.