Coin Specifications

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

The specifications for Trade Dollars differed from that of the preceding and subsequent silver dollars, in line with the purpose of the coin. It was struck primarily to be used for export, where it was hoped that the new series would trade more favorably against silver dollars from Spain and Mexico. The diameter of the coin matched the previous Seated Liberty Dollars, however, the weight was increased from 26.73 grams to 27.22 grams, resulting in a higher silver content.

The obverse design of the Trade Dollar features Liberty seated on bales of cotton with an image of the sea in the background. She holds an olive branch extended in her right hand and a scroll with the word “Liberty” in the other. On the reverse is an American Bald Eagle, clutching an olive branch and arrows. Very prominently, an inscription below reads “420 grains, .900 fine”.

The series was only struck for circulation from 1873 to 1878 before the Morgan Dollars would be issued in its place. The production of Trade Dollars in proof only format did continue for a number of years to meet collector demand.

Trade Dollar Coin Specifications

dollars Trade

The Morgan Dollar was a silver dollar issued from 1878 to 1904. One more year of production took place in 1921. The coin takes its name from the designer George T. Morgan. The coin’s obverse features an image of Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap with agricultural elements including wheat, oak, and cotton incorporated into the band. The reverse of the coin features a Bald Eagle grasping an olive branch and arrows with a wreath surrounding. Morgan Dollars were minted usually in high numbers at five different mints, although there are several key dates. Similar to other coins of the era the composition was 90% silver and 10% copper.

Morgan Dollar Coin Specifications

dollars Morgan

Although the Eisenhower Dollars produced for circulation did not contain any silver, the US Mint produced collectible versions of the coins which contained 40% silver. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, these modern silver dollars have an outer layer of 80% silver and 20% copper bonded to a core of 20.9% silver and 79.1% copper. The coins were produced in both uncirculated and proof versions and sold individually from 1971 to 1974. The uncirculated coins came in blue envelopes and came to be known as “Blue Ikes”. The proof cons in brown boxes came to be known as “Brown Ikes”. Silver versions of the Bicentennial 1976 Eisenhower Dollar were also produced. These were sold in 3 coin sets, along with the half dollar and quarter.

Silver Eisenhower Dollar Coin Specifications

dollars eisenhower

The Native American Dollar was introduced in 2009, to replace the Sacagawea Dollar which had not been produced for circulation since 2001. The new series would pair the obverse of the original Sacagawea Dollar with an annually rotating reverse design featuring contributions and accomplishments of Native Americans. The coin compositions were the same as used for all dollar coins minted from 2000 onwards, which comprised a manganese brass composition. Notably, under law at least 20% of all dollar coins produced must be for the Native American Dollar design. Currently this represents a 1 out of 5 ratio with the Presidential Dollar series.

Native American Dollar Coin Specifications

dollars native american