Coin Specifications

The Seated Liberty Half Dimes represented the last of the silver half dime denomination. The five cent nickel had been introduced in 1866 with the Shield Nickel, and less than ten years later, the last silver half dimes were struck in 1873. During the course of the final half dime series, the silver content was reduced.

The obverse of the Liberty Seated Half Dime features the allegorical figure Liberty seated on a rock, as the name suggests, at various points in the series, the surrounding fields are empty, contain thirteen stars, or contain the motto “United States of America.” The reverse contains a wreath with the denomination spelled out in the center. This wreath was changed significantly later in the series.

The original composition consisted of 90% silver and 10% copper with a weight of 1.34 grams. In 1853, the weight of the coins was changed to 1.24 grams. To indicate the coins with the new composition, arrows were placed to each side of the date for coins with the new measure.

Seated Liberty Half Dime Coin Specifications

half dimes Seated Liberty

For the initial years of the Roosevelt Dime series, coins was issued with the same silver based composition that had been used for the two prior series issued for the denomination. This consisted of 90% silver and 10% copper with a weight of 2.50 grams. Each silver dime contains 0.07234 ounces of pure silver.

Between 1946 and 1964, circulation strike silver Roosevelt Dimes were produced at the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver Mints. For these years of the series, the mint mark only the “D” and “S” mint marks were used, and these appeared on the reverse of the coin to the left of the base of the torch. Coins minted at Philadelphia did not use the mint mark. Mintages ranged from a low of 12,450,181 for the 1955 coin to a high of 1,357,517,180 for the 1964-D.

Starting in 1992, the US Mint began producing 90% silver Roosevelt Dimes for inclusion in an annual Silver Proof Set. These coins shared the same specifications as the original silver coins issued for circulation.

Silver Roosevelt Dime Coin Specifications

dimes Roosevelt

The Washington Quarter was introduced in 1932, replacing the Standing Liberty Quarter, which was minted for the last time in 1930. The new series was originally intended to be issued for only one year to celebrate George Washington’s bicentennial. The popularity of the design led to the continued use until 1998.

Washington Quarters were issued with a composition of 90% silver for the beginning of the series from 1932 to 1964. During this time, the coins were produced for circulation at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. All proof coins of this era were produced at Philadelphia. From 1992 to 1998, the US Mint also produced silver quarters of the same specifications for sale to collectors in special sets. These coins were all minted at San Francisco.

Silver Washington Quarter Coin Specifications

quarters washington