The term “current with the merchant,” probably refers to the purity of
the silver, which was about ninety-five per cent. fine, and the value in
our money was fifty-eight cents. It first appeared as a coin in the time
of the Maccabees, who lived about 140 B. C. The amount of silver in the
coin is the same as was contained in the piece of silver denominated a
shekel. It will be seen that on one side is the golden cup that had manna
(see Exod. xvi. 33, and Heb. ix. 4), with the inscription in old Hebrew
character, “SHEKEL OF ISRAEL;” on the other side appears Aaron’s rod that
budded with the legend in the same character, “JERUSALEM THE HOLY.” This
specimen is in the Mint cabinet; one of the most rare and interesting
coins in the collection.
IMMUNIS COLUMBIA, 1787.
Obverse: The Goddess of Liberty, seated upon a globe, facing right; in
her fully extended left hand she balances the scales of justice; the
right hand supports a liberty staff, bearing a flag and crowned with a
cap. Legend: “IMMUNIS COLUMBIA.” Exergue: 1787.
Reverse: An eagle, displayed; right talon, an olive branch, thirteen
leaves; left talon, thirteen arrows. Legend: “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Borders,
serrated; edge, plain; size, 16½; weight, 135 grains.
MASSACHUSETTS PINE TREE SHILLING.
“John Hull and Robert Saunderson were equal officers in the ‘gainful
business’ of the Mint. How much they coined in all for the colony, or
the exact amount of their profits under the contract they carried out,
cannot be determined.” The coinage was certainly large in amount, and
they, as was well understood, became men of wealth and substance. When
the daughter of John Hull was married to Judge Samuel Sewall, the founder
of the town of Newbury, Mass., the prosperous mint-master gave the bride
a dowery of her weight in silver. At the conclusion of the wedding
ceremony, a large steel-yard was brought into the room, and the blushing
bride placed upon one of the platforms of the same, while into a tub upon
the other side were poured the Pine Tree Shillings, until the steel-yard
balanced.
CHAIN CENTS.
These have a bust with flowing hair, looking right, with the date below
and word “LIBERTY” above it; on the reverse side, in the centre, is “ONE
CENT,” with “⅟₁₀₀” below it, enclosed in an endless chain of fifteen
links, typifying the number of States then in the Union. The legend is
“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” in all excepting one die, which reads “UNITED
STATES OF AMERI,” the engraver evidently not having room to complete the
word.
THE MYDDELTON TOKENS.
Obverse: A figure, representing Hope, beside an anchor; she presents two
children to a female, the last extending her right hand in reception of
the charge; the left hand supports a liberty staff, which is crowned with
a cap; in front of the figure with the staff is an olive branch and a
wreath, to the rear a cornucopia. Legend: “BRITISH SETTLEMENT KENTUCKY.”
Reverse: Britannia, seated disconsolate amid the down-cast emblems of her
power, and facing left; her head is bowed; she holds in her right hand
an inverted spear, the head of which penetrates the ground; at her right
side a bundle of fasces or lictors’ rods have fallen near the cap of
Liberty; upon the ground, before the figure, are the scales of justice,
upon which Britannia has set her left foot and the sword of justice,
with broken blade; the left arm of the figure rests upon a large shield,
bearing the cross of the British ensigns. Legend: “PAYABLE BY P. P. P.
MYDDELTON.”
[Illustration: PLATE IX.
HALF CENT. 1802.
WREATH CENT. 1793.
HALF CENT. 1794.
WASHINGTON MEDAL. 1789.
HALF CENT. 1847.
NEW YORK CENT.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE X.
GREEK EGYPTIAN COIN. PTOLEMY.
WIDOW’S MITE. COPPER COIN.
ROMAN BRONZE COIN. TRAJAN AUGUSTUS. 98-117 A. D.
ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES.
COUNTERFEIT JUDEAN SHEKEL. DATING ABOUT THE TIME OF CHRIST.
MACEDONIAN COIN. PHILIP III. 317-324 B. C.
See description.]
THE SMALL PATTERN CENT.
Obverse: A head, facing right, hair unconfined, floating backward in
flowing locks. Legend: “LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUST.” Exergue:
Beneath the head the date 1792.
Reverse: A wreath, two olive branches crossed at the lower ends and tied
with a ribbon; within the wreath a field bearing an inscription “ONE
CENT” in two lines. Legend: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Exergue: “⅟₁₀₀.”
Border, milled; edge, reeded; size, 14; weight, 65 grains. Extremely rare.
THE DOUBLE HEAD WASHINGTON.
A small head on both obverse and reverse. The former has the legend,
“WASHINGTON;” the latter the legend “ONE CENT.” No date.
NEW YORK WASHINGTON CENT.
Bust of Washington with a wig, and with military draping, face right.
Legend: “NON VI VIRTUTE VICI.”
Reverse: The Goddess of Liberty, seated, with liberty pole and scales of
justice. Legend: “NEO EBORACENSIS.” Date, 1786.
CAROLINA ELEPHANT (TOKEN.)
A token much prized by collectors is known as the Carolina Elephant. The
obverse is from a rather common English token known now as the London
Elephant. The animal is standing with his head down. There is no legend.
Reverse: “GOD PRESERVE CAROLINA AND THE LORDS PROPRIETERS 1694.”
COPPER HALF-CENT OF 1794.
In 1794 and 1795 similar device to that of 1793; but face Liberty facing
to the right. Weight, 104 grains.
CENT, 1799.
The liberty cap is omitted, as is the lettering on the edge, not to
reappear on the American cent. Liberty Cap Cents are very rare.
In the year 1798 a slight change was made in the obverse of the cent,
giving some of the curls a different termination from those of 1796,
1797, and the early part of 1798. The latter device was continued each
year, until and including 1807. The reverse remained unchanged during
the same time, excepting some slight variations, probably unintentional,
if not positive mistakes. For instance, in 1797 and 1802 we find some
without stems to the wreaths, and in one case only one stem. In 1801 and
1802 some have ⅟₀₀₀ instead of the fraction ⅟₁₀₀. In addition to this
error, a variety of the cent of 1802 has “Iinited,” instead of “United.”
In 1796 we have in one instance “Liherty,” instead of “Liberty.”
LIBERTY CENT, 1809.
In 1809 an obverse head of Liberty; forehead encircled by a band,
“LIBERTY” inscribed upon it, surrounded by thirteen stars. Exergue:
“1809.”
Reverse: Wreath in a circular garland inclosing the words “ONE CENT.” No
change took place during the issues of 1808 to 1814, inclusive.
HALF-CENT OF 1793.
The first half-cent was issued in 1793, having on obverse: Bust of
Liberty, facing to the left; staff surmounted by liberty-cap over right
shoulder. Legend: “LIBERTY.” Exergue: “1793.”
Reverse; Inscription, “HALF CENT,” surrounded by a wreath, tied with a
ribbon. Weight, 132 grains.
WREATH CENT.
Obverse: Bust of Liberty, hair flowing. Legend: “LIBERTY.” Exergue:
“1793.”
Reverse: A wreath with berries, the stems of wreath tied in a bow with
a ribbon. Inscription: “ONE CENT.” Legend: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
Exergue: “⅟₁₀₀.”
Third. Known as the “Liberty Cap Cent.”
LIBERTY AND SECURITY WASHINGTON COIN.
Obverse: A bust of Washington, in uniform, facing right, hair in a queue.
Legend: “GEORGE WASHINGTON.”
Reverse: A shield with sixteen argent and gules impaling argent, fifteen
mullets; above the shield an eagle, left talon, an olive branch, right
talon, six arrows. Legend: “LIBERTY AND SECURITY.” Exergue: “17 95,”
divided by the point of the shield. Border: A plain circle, and outside
of the same, milled edge, lettered “AN ASYLUM FOR ALL NATIONS.” Size,
20½; weight, 310 grains. This piece is extremely rare.
VIRGINIA HALF-PENNY.
The well-known Virginia half-pennies seem to have been very plentiful. A
number of different dies were used. A laureated bust of George the Third
is surrounded, as on the English half-penny, with his title, “GEORGIVS
III. REX.” The reverse has an ornamental and crowned shield, emblazoned
quarterly: 1, England empaling Scotland; 2, France; 3, Ireland; 4, the
electoral dominions. Legend: “VIRGINIA.”
[Illustration: PLATE XI.
CENT. 1809.
HALF CENT. 1793.
CHAIN CENT. 1793.
PATTERN “TWO CENT” PIECE.
CENT. 1799.
SMALL PATTERN CENT. 1792.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE XII.
DOUBLE HEAD WASHINGTON.
LIBERTY AND SECURITY WASHINGTON MEDAL. 1795.
GRANBY OR HIGLEY COPPER TOKEN.
N. Y. COLONIAL CENT. 1787.
CAROLINA ELEPHANT TOKEN. 1694.
VIRGINIA HALF CENT.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE XIII.
MEDAL OF 1776, COMMEMORATIVE OF THE NATION’S INDEPENDENCE.
“KITTANNING MEDAL,” ONE OF THE EARLIEST MEDALS EXECUTED IN AMERICA.]
[Illustration: PLATE XIV.
1795 SILVER DOLLAR. OBVERSE AND REVERSE.
1798 SILVER DOLLAR. OBVERSE AND REVERSE.]
[Illustration: PLATE XV.
ROSA AMERICANA.
MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT.
RHODE ISLAND MEDAL.
PITT MEDAL.
IMMUNIS COLUMBIA.
NEW YORK TOKEN.
See description.]
[Illustration: PLATE XVI.
PATTERN HALF DOLLAR. 1859.
PATTERN CENT. 1854.
LIBERTY CENT. 1793.
LIBERTY HALF CENT. 1795.
PATTERN CENT, COPPER AND SILVER. 1850.
PATTERN CENT. 1855.]
[Illustration: PLATE XVII.
RARE COLONIAL CENT, OF NEW JERSEY.[18]
WASHINGTON HALF DOLLAR. 1792.
WASHINGTON CENT. 1783.
WASHINGTON CENT. 1783.
WASHINGTON CENT. VERY RARE. 1792.
WASHINGTON CENT. 1791.]
[Illustration: PLATE XVIII.
TRIBUTE MONEY.
CONSTANTINE THE GREAT.
COUNTERFEIT SHEKEL, OF EUROPEAN MANUFACTURE.
JEWISH. LEPTON, B. C.
JEWISH. LEPTON, A. D.
SYRIAN.
GRECIAN.
MAXIMUS PHILLIPUS.]
[Illustration: PLATE XIX.
DOUBLE EAGLE, 1849. “Unique,” beyond price.
GOLD DOLLAR, 1849.
DOUBLE EAGLE. 1885.
HALF EAGLE, 1849.
TEN DOLLAR EAGLE, 1795.
HALF EAGLE, 1885.
EAGLE, 1849.
HALF EAGLE, 1795.
EAGLE, 1885.
THREE DOLLARS. Gold Piece, 1885.
QUARTER EAGLE, 1847.
QUARTER EAGLE, 1885.
GOLD DOLLAR, 1885.]
[Illustration: PLATE XX.
RHODES.
ANTIOCHUS VII.
SYBARIS.
GREEK COIN. ALEXANDER THE GREAT. 300 B.C.
ATHENS.
HEROCLEA.]
[Illustration: PLATE XXI.
1804 DOLLAR, “The King among Rarities.”
PATTERN DOLLAR, None issued.
PATTERN DOLLAR OF 1871, Rejected.
PATTERN PIECE KNOWN AS THE BARBER DOLLAR, Rejected.]
[Illustration: PLATE XXII.
SILVER DOLLAR, 1849.
STANDARD DOLLAR, 1885.
HALF DOLLAR, 1849.
DIME, 1849.
HALF DOLLAR, 1885.
HALF DOLLAR, 1794.
QUARTER DOLLAR, 1885.
QUARTER DOLLAR, 1849.
HALF DIME, 1849.
DIME, 1885.
HALF DIME, 1794.
DIME, 1796.]
[Illustration: PLATE XXIII.
LIBERTY CAP CENT, 1793.
CHAIN CENT, 1793. First issue.
CHAIN CENT, 1793. Second issue.
PATTERN TWENTY CENT PIECE, Rejected.
HALF CENT, 1793.
CENT, 1849.
CENT, 1885.
THREE CENT NICKEL, 1885.
HALF CENT, 1849.
THREE CENT PIECE, 1885.]
[Illustration: PLATE XXIV.
ANTIOCHUS VII.
ADDERA.
PRUSIAS.
ANTIOCHUS VIII. EPIPHANES.
PANORMUS.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT.
Grecian Coins about 300 years B.C.]
COINS ISSUED AT THE UNITED STATES MINT AT PHILADELPHIA, FROM ITS
ESTABLISHMENT IN 1792 TO 1888.
GOLD.
_Double Eagle._
Authorized to be coined, Act of March 3, 1849. Weight, 516 grains;
fineness, 900; size, 21.
1850 to 1865, inclusive. No. 1. Obverse: Liberty head, facing left, hair
tied behind, a coronet on the forehead inscribed “LIBERTY,” thirteen
stars and date.
Reverse: An eagle with shield upon its breast, and an olive branch and
three arrows in its talons; in its beak, an elaborate scroll, inscribed
“E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Above, a circle of thirteen stars and a curved line of
rays extending from wing to wing. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” “TWENTY D.”
1866 to 1876, inclusive. No. 2, same, with the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST”
inscribed within the circle of stars on the reverse.
1877. No. 3. Same, with “TWENTY DOLLARS” for “TWENTY D.”
_Eagle._
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792. Weight, 270 grains;
fineness, 916⅔. Weight changed, Act of June 28, 1834, to 258 grains.
Fineness changed, Act of June 28, 1834, to 899.225. Fineness changed, Act
of January 18, 1837, to 900.
1795. Obverse: Liberty head, wearing a cap, facing right. Fifteen stars.
Above, “LIBERTY;” beneath, “1795;” size, 21.
Reverse: An eagle with displayed wings, standing on a palm branch; in
beak, a laurel wreath. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
1796. Same, with sixteen stars.
1797. No. 1. Same, with sixteen stars.
1797. No. 2. Obverse: Same, with sixteen stars.
Reverse: An eagle with the United States shield upon its breast, a bundle
of arrows in the right talon, and an olive branch in the left; in its
beak, a scroll inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Around the head are sixteen
stars; above, is a curved line of clouds extending from wing to wing.
“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
1798 to 1801, inclusive. Same, with thirteen stars on the obverse. Of
1798, two varieties with four stars facing.
1802. None issued.
1803 and 1804. Same as No. 2 of 1797. Thirteen stars.
1805 to 1837, inclusive. None issued.
1838 to 1865, inclusive. Obverse: Liberty head facing left, hair tied
behind, a coronet on the forehead inscribed “LIBERTY,” thirteen stars,
and date.
Reverse: An eagle with the United States shield upon its breast, and an
olive branch and three arrows in the talons. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
Size, 17.
1866. Same, with a scroll above the eagle inscribed “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
_Half Eagle._
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792. Weight, 135 grains;
fineness, 916⅔. Weight changed, Act of June 28, 1834, to 129 grains.
Fineness changed, Act of June 28, 1834, to 899.225. Fineness changed, Act
of January 18, 1837, to 900.
1795. No. 1. Same type as the Eagle; size, 16.
1795. No. 2. Obverse: Same.
Reverse: An eagle, wings extended upwards, with the United States shield
upon its breast, a bundle of thirteen arrows in the right talon, and an
olive branch in the left. In its beak, a scroll inscribed “E PLURIBUS
UNUM.” Around the head are sixteen stars, and above is a curved line of
clouds extending from wing to wing. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
1796. Same as No. 1 of 1795; fifteen stars on obverse.
1797. No. 1. Same as No. 1 of 1795.
1797. No. 2. Same, with sixteen stars on obverse.
1797. No. 3. Obverse: Same, with fifteen stars.
Reverse: Same as No. 2 of 1795, sixteen stars around the eagle.
1798. No. 1. Same as No. 1 of 1795, with thirteen stars.
1798. No. 2. Obverse: Same.
Reverse: Same as No. 2 of 1795, thirteen stars.
1799 and 1800. Same as No. 2 of 1795, with thirteen stars on the obverse.
1801. None issued.
1802 to 1806, inclusive. Same as No. 2 of 1795, with thirteen stars on
the obverse.
1807. No. 1. Obverse: Same as No. 1, 1795, with thirteen stars.
Reverse: Same as No. 2, 1795.
1807. No. 2. Obverse: Liberty head, facing left; bust, draped, wearing a
kind of turban with a band in front inscribed “LIBERTY,” thirteen stars,
and date.
Reverse: An eagle, with the United States shield upon its breast, an
olive branch and three arrows in the talons. Above, a scroll, inscribed
“E PLURIBUS UNUM.” United States of America “5. D.”
1808 to 1812 inclusive. Same as No. 2 of 1807.
1813 to 1815, inclusive. Obverse: Liberty head, facing left, wearing a
kind of turban, a band in front inscribed “LIBERTY.” Thirteen stars and
date. No shoulders.
Reverse: Same as No. 2 of 1807.
1816 and 1817, inclusive. None issued.
1818 to 1828, inclusive. Same as 1813.
1829. No. 1. Same as 1813; size, 16.
1829. No. 2. Same, but smaller; size, 15.
1830 to 1833, inclusive. Same as No. 2 of 1829.
1834. No. 1. Same as No. 2 of 1829.
1834. No. 2. Obverse: Liberty head, facing left, hair confined by a band
inscribed “LIBERTY.”
Reverse: Same as No. 2 of 1807, without the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM”
omitted; size, 14.
1835 to 1838, inclusive. Same as No. 2 of 1834.
1839 to 1865, inclusive. Same type as the Eagle of 1838.
1866. Same type as Eagle of same date.
_Three-Dollar Piece._
Authorized to be coined, Act of February 21, 1853. Weight, 77.4 grains;
fineness, 900.
1854. Obverse: An Indian head, wearing a crown of eagle feathers, on band
of which is inscribed “LIBERTY”—“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
Reverse: “3 dollars 1854” within a wreath of corn, wheat, cotton, and
tobacco. Size, 13.
_Quarter-Eagle._
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792. Weight, 67.5 grains;
fineness, 916⅔. Weight changed, Act of June 28, 1834, to 64.5 grains.
Fineness changed, Act of June 28, 1834, to 899.225. Fineness changed, Act
of January 18, 1837, to 900.
1796. No. 1. Obverse: Liberty head, facing right, above “LIBERTY”—sixteen
stars.
Reverse: Same type as No. 2 half-eagle of 1795, size 13.
No. 2. Same, with no stars on obverse.
1797-1798. Same as No. 1 of 1796, with thirteen stars.
1799-1801, inclusive. None issued.
1802. Same as 1798.
1803. None issued.
1804 to 1807, inclusive. Same as 1798.
1808. Same type as No. 2 half-eagle of 1807, with “2½ D.”
1809 to 1820, inclusive. None issued.
1821. Obverse: Same type as the half-eagle of 1813, size 12.
Reverse: Same type as No. 2 half-eagle of 1807.
1822 and 1823. None issued.
1824-1827, inclusive. Same as 1821.
1828. None issued.
1829 to 1833, inclusive. Same as 1821.
1834. No. 1. Same as 1821. No. 2. Same type as No. 2 half-eagle of 1834,
size 11.
1835 to 1839, inclusive. Same as No. 2 of 1834.
1840 to 1865. Same type as the eagle of 1834.
1866. Same type as eagle of 1866.
_Dollar._
Authorized to be coined, Act of March 3, 1849. Weight, 25.8 grains;
fineness, 900.
1849 to 1853, inclusive. Obverse: Same type as the eagle, without date.
Reverse: “1 DOLLAR 1849” within a laurel wreath, “UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.” Size 8.
1854. No. 1, Same. No. 2. Same type as the three-dollar piece, size 9.
SILVER.
_Dollar._
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792. Weight, 416 grains;
fineness, 892.4. Weight changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 412½ grains.
Fineness changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 900. Coinage discontinued,
Act of February 12, 1873. Coinage reauthorized, Act of February 28, 1878.
1794. Obverse: Liberty head, facing right, flowing hair, fifteen stars;
above, “LIBERTY;” beneath, “1794.”
Reverse: An eagle with raised wings, encircled by branches of laurel
crossed; “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” On the edge, “HUNDRED CENTS, ONE
DOLLAR OR UNIT.” Size, 24.
1795. No. 1. Same.
1795. No. 2. Bust of Liberty, facing right, hair bound by a ribbon,
shoulders draped, fifteen stars.
Reverse: An eagle with expanded wings, standing upon clouds, within a
wreath of palm and laurel, which is crossed and tied. “UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.”
1796. Same as No. 2, of 1795.
1797. No. 1. Same as No. 2 of 1795, with sixteen stars, six of which are
facing.
1797. No. 2. Same, with seven stars facing.
1798. No. 1. Same as No. 2 of 1795, with fifteen stars.
1798. No. 2. Same, with thirteen stars.
1798. No. 3. Obverse: Same, with thirteen stars.
Reverse: An eagle with raised wings, bearing the United States shield
upon its breast, in beak, a scroll inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” A bundle
of thirteen arrows in the right talon, and an olive branch in the left.
Above, are clouds, and thirteen stars. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Size,
25.
1799 to 1804, inclusive. Same as No. 3, of 1798.
1805 to 1839, inclusive. None issued.
1840 to 1865, inclusive. Obverse: Liberty seated upon a rock, supporting
with her right hand the United States shield, across which floats a
scroll inscribed “LIBERTY,” and with her left the staff and liberty cap;
beneath, the date.
Reverse: An eagle with expanded wings, bearing the United States shield
upon its breast, and an olive branch and three arrows in its talons.
“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” “ONE DOLL.” Reeded edge; size, 24.
1866 to 1873, inclusive. Same, with a scroll above the eagle, inscribed,
“IN GOD WE TRUST.”
1874 to 1877, inclusive. None issued.
1878. Obverse: Liberty head facing left, upon which is a cap, a wheat and
cotton wreath, and a band inscribed “LIBERTY;” above, “E PLURIBUS UNUM;”
beneath, the date. Thirteen stars.
Reverse: An eagle with expanded wings pointing upwards; in right talon an
olive branch with nine leaves; in the left, three arrows. In the field
above, “IN GOD WE TRUST;” beneath, a semi-wreath, tied and crossed,
reaching upwards to the wings; “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Some pieces of
the above date (1878) were coined with eight feathers in the tail during
the year, but seven have been adopted.
_Trade Dollar._
Authorized to be coined, Act of February 12, 1873. Weight, 420 grains;
fineness, 900.
1873. Obverse: Liberty seated upon a cotton bale, facing left; in her
extended right hand an olive branch; in her left a scroll inscribed
“LIBERTY;” behind her a sheaf of wheat; beneath, a scroll inscribed “IN
GOD WE TRUST;” thirteen stars; “1873.”
Reverse: An eagle with expanded wings; in talons three arrows and an
olive branch; above, a scroll inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM;” beneath, on
field, “420 grains;” “900 fine.” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Size, 24.
_Half Dollar._
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792. Weight, 208 grains;
fineness, 892.4. Weight changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 206¼ grains.
Fineness changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 900. Weight changed, Act
of February 21, 1853, to 192 grains. Weight changed, Act of February 12,
1873, to 12½ grammes, or 192.9 grains.
1794 and 1795. Same type as the dollar of 1794. On the edge, “FIFTY CENTS
OR HALF A DOLLAR.” Size, 21.
1796. No. 1. Same type as No. 2, dollar of 1795, with the denomination,
“½,” inscribed on the base of the reverse. No. 2. Same, with sixteen
stars on the obverse.
1797. Same as No. 2, of 1796.
1798 to 1800, inclusive. None issued.
1801 to 1803, inclusive. Same type as No. 3, dollar of 1798.
1804. None issued.
1805 and 1806. Same as No. 3, dollar of 1798.
1807. No. 1. Same.
No. 2. Obverse: Liberty head facing left, wearing a kind of turban, with
“LIBERTY” inscribed upon the band. Thirteen stars and date.
Reverse: An eagle with expanded wings pointing downwards, bearing upon
its breast, the U. S. Shield, an olive branch and three arrows in its
talons; above, in the field, a scroll inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM;”
beneath 50 C. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
1808 to 1835 inclusive, same as No. 2 of 1807.
1836. No. 1. Same as No. 2 of 1807.
No. 2. Obverse: Same.
Reverse: An eagle with expanded wings pointing downwards, the U. S.
shield upon its breast, an olive branch and three arrows in its talons,
“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” reeded edge.
1837. Same as No. 2 of 1836.
1838. Obverse: Same as No. 2 of 1836.
Reverse: Same; “HALF DOL.” for “50 C.”
1839. No. 1. Same as 1838.
No. 2. Same type as dollar of 1840.
1840 to 1852 inclusive, same.
1853. Obverse: Same with an arrow head on each side of the date.
Reverse: Same, with a halo of rays around the edge.
1854. Same, without the rays.
1855. Same.
1856 to 1865 inclusive, same, without the arrow heads.
1866 to 1872 inclusive, same, with scroll above the eagle inscribed “IN
GOD WE TRUST.” (Some have been occasionally met with, which have been
issued by the San Francisco Mint, _without_ this legend in 1866.)
1873. No. 1. Same.
No. 2. Same, with arrow heads on each side of the date.
1874. Same.
1875. Same, without the arrow heads.
_Quarter Dollar._
Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792. Weight, 104 grains;
fineness, 892.4. Weight changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 103½ grains.
Fineness changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 900. Weight changed, Act
of February 21, 1853, to 96 grains. Weight changed, Act of February 12,
1873, to 6¼ grammes, or 96.45 grains.
1796. Same type as No. 2 dollar of 1795, with reeded edge; size, 18;
fifteen stars.
1797 to 1803. None issued.
1804 to 1807, inclusive. Same type as No. 3 dollar of 1798, beneath,
“25c.”
1808 to 1814, inclusive. None issued.
1815. Same type as No. 2 half dollar of 1807.
1816 and 1817. None issued.
1818 to 1825, inclusive. Same type as No. 2 half dollar of 1807, size 17.
1826. None issued.
1827 and 1828. Same type as No. 2 half dollar of 1807.
1829 and 1830. None issued.
1831 to 1837, inclusive. Same type as half dollar of 1807, with the
diameter reduced from size 17 to size 15, and a corresponding increase in
thickness and decrease of the size of devices, and the omission of the
scroll, inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
1838. No. 1. Same as 1837. No. 2. Same type as the dollar of 1840, with
“QUAR. DOL.” for “ONE DOLL.”
1839 to 1852, inclusive. Same as No. 2 of 1838.
1853. No. 1. Same. No. 2. Same, with arrow heads on each side of date,
and a halo of rays around the edge.
1854 and 1855. Same, without the rays.
1856 to 1865. Same, without the arrow heads.
1866 to 1872, inclusive. Same, with the scroll above the eagle, inscribed
“IN GOD WE TRUST.”
1873. No. 1. Same. No. 2. Same, with an arrow head on each side of the
date.
1874. Same.