Coin Specifications

The first dimes of the United States were not minted until 1796. This was already four years after the Coinage Act of 1792, which established the specifications for the denomination. The early mint had already produced other denominations with the flowing hair design, but by the time production of dimes began the draped bust design had already come into use.

The Draped Bust Dime features an obverse portrait of Liberty with her bust slightly draped and hair flowing and lightly bound. There is the inscription “Liberty” above and the date below, with stars to each side. The number of stars varied in the early years of the series, as the Mint added more to represent newly admitted states. In 1797, the number of stars reverted to thirteen and remained as such for the duration of the series.

The reverse design for the series initially featured a small eagle positioned within a wreath. In 1798, this was replaced with a heraldic eagle, pictured with a shield at its chest and arrows and an olive branch in talons. The only reverse inscription was “United States of America”. The denomination did not appear anywhere on the coin, leaving the value to be determined based on weight or comparison to other coins.

As with other early silver coinage of the United States, the composition was 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. The weight was 2.70 grams, or twice the wight of the previously released half dime.

Draped Bust Dime Coin Specifications

dimes draped bust

The series of Liberty Head Quarter Eagles represents the longest running design for the $2.50 denomination. The coins were struck for more than six decades from 1840 until 1907. Specifications for the coin match the preceding the subsequent series, although the number of facilities used to strike the coins was much greater.

On the obverse design is a depiction of Liberty facing left and surrounded by thirteen stars. The date appears below and the word “Liberty” is inscribed on the coronet with hair lightly bound. The reverse features a more ornithologically correct bald eagle, in heraldic form with a shield at its chest and three arrows and an olive branch in its talons. The inscription “United States of America” surround with the denomination “2 1/2 D.” below.

Production for the Liberty Quarter Eagle took place at the Philadelphia Mint, the San Francisco Mint after its establishment in 1854, and the southern mints located at Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans. All issues were struck in a composition of 90% gold and 10% copper, with net gold content of 0.12094 troy ounces. The coins have a weight of 4.18 grams and diameter of 18 mm. Included in the long running series are several notable rarities like the proof-only 1841 and 1863 issues, and low mintage 1854-S and 1875.

Liberty Head Quarter Eagle Coin Specifications

quarter eagles liberty

The United States Mint had a unique product offering, which recreated Augustus Saint-Gaudens original design for the circulating $20 gold piece. The coin was known as the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold Coin and met with a high degree of popularity with collectors.

The design was faithful to the original, albeit with some small updates. The obverse depicts Liberty in flowing gown with a torch and olive branch in her hands. The rays of the rising sun and the Capitol dome appear in the background. Rather than the original 46 stars, there are 50 stars around the image. Also the date is updated to MMIX or 2009. On the reverse is the depiction of an eagle in flight with the sun below. The motto “In God We Trust” was added between the sun and rays. This did not originally appear.

Specifications for the 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle are a diameter of 27 mm and thickness of 4 mm. This makes for a smaller and thicker coin than typical for the one ounce size. Each coin has a composition of 24 karat or .9999 fine gold, which is more malleable than alloyed composition. The net weight is 31.108 grams or 1.0001 troy ounce. Although struck at West Point, the coins did not carry a mint mark.

The coins were of course not issued for circulation at their nominal $20 face value, but sold to collectors for a premium to the market value of the price of gold. This special issue was only available for a single year.

2009 UHR Double Eagle Coin Specifications

double eagles saint gaudens

The specifications for the Seated Liberty Dollar remained constant for the duration of the series from 1840 to 1873. Interestingly, there were some periods of the series when the melt value of the coins exceeded the face value, which had an impact on production and circulation, and in some cases led to melting.

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the obverse of the coin features an image of Liberty seated on a rock. She holds a pole with a cap in one hand and a shield with the word “Liberty” in the other. There are thirteen stars surrounding and the date below. The style and pose of Liberty is said to be reminiscent of Britannia from British coinage. On the reverse is a bald eagle with a shield at the chest, and with arrows and talons grasped in its claws. The inscriptions are “United States of America” and “One Dol.” In 1866, the motto “In God We Trust” was added on a scroll above the eagle.

Each Seated Liberty Dollar is struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, yielding a net weight of 0.77344 troy ounces of silver. The coins have a diameter of 38.1 mm and gross weight of 26.73 grams. The coins have a reeded edge and were struck at Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City.

Production of the coins was officially halted following the Coinage Act of 1873.

Seated Liberty Dollar Coin Specifications

dollars Seated Liberty

Widely believed to carry one of the most beautiful designs in the history of United States coinage, the Saint Gaudens Double Eagle was struck from 1907 to 1933. Production would take place variously across three different mint facilities in relatively high numbers. The subsequent recall and melting of all federal gold had a dramatic impact on the rarity and availability of certain issues.

The intrinsic value of each coin is high, with 0.96750 troy ounces of gold content included in each coin. For many examples of the coin, the majority of the price is related to the market value of the gold content. In recent years, this has had the impact of dramatic price increases for coins with minimal numismatic value. This has been driven by record high gold prices.

The Saint Gaudens Double Eagle was designed by the renown sculptor of the same name. The obverse features a dramatic full depiction of the allegorical Liberty figure. She holds a lit torch and an olive branch. The rays of the rising sun and the U.S. Capitol building appear in the background. The reverse of the coin features an eagle in majestic flight. The rays of the sun emanate upwards and fill the fields with splendor. In 1908, the motto “In God We Trust” was added between the sun and its rays.

Composition for the coins is 90% gold and 10% alloy. The standard weight is 33.436 grams with a diameter of 34 mm.

Saint Gaudens Double Eagle Coin Specifications

double eagles saint gaudens