Authorized under the Coinage Act of 1792, the first silver dollar coins in America were produced with the minting of the Flowing Hair Dollar. This historically unique series had some interesting and variable aspects related to its specifications. The composition was 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper as specified by the Act. This differs from the later adopted “coin silver” composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. The coins had a diameter which ranged from 39 to 40 mm. Blanks used to strike the coins were hand weighed. Some blanks which were underweight or overweight were manually adjusted by filing excess silver or inserting a silver plug. Finally, instead of a reeded edge, the Flowing Hair Dollar had a lettered edge consisting of the coin’s denomination.
Flowing Hair Dollar Coin Specifications
| Dates: |
1794 - 1795 |
| Mints: |
Philadelphia |
| Composition: |
89.24% silver |
|
10.76% copper |
| Weight: |
26.96 grams |
|
0.87 ounces |
| Diameter: |
39-40 mm |
|
|
dollars flowing hair
The Sacagawea Dollar was introduced in 2000 with much publicity. The United States Mint was making an ambitious attempt to create a dollar coin which would gain popularity as a circulating coin. The coins ultimately did not circulate widely and the series was relaunched as the Native American Dollar series in 2009. The obverse design of the coin features the Shoshone born Native American Sacagawea who accompanied Lewis & Clark on their expedition. The reverse features an eagle in flight. Glenna Goodacre designed the obverse and Thomas D. Rogers Sr. designed the reverse. Coins have been minted at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints with proof coins minted at San Francisco.
Sacagawea Dollar Coin Specifications
| Dates: |
2000 - 2008 |
| Mints: |
Philadelphia |
|
Denver |
|
San Francisco |
| Composition: |
88.5% copper |
|
6% zinc |
|
3.5% manganese |
|
2% nickel |
| Weight: |
8.1 grams |
|
0.20 ounces |
| Diameter: |
26.50 mm |
|
1.05 inches |
dollars sacagawea
The United States Mint began issuing modern commemorative coins in 1982 after a long hiatus. One of the popular denominations for commemorative coins is the silver dollar size. The first modern silver dollar commemorative featured the Los Angeles Olympiad in 1983. In recent years, there have generally been one or two commemorative coins issued as silver dollars for each year. In 2006, this included coins for Benjamin Franklin and the Old San Francisco Mint. In 2007, there were coins for Jamestown and Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2008, the Bald Eagle was featured on a commemorative silver dollar. The varied nature of the designs make these an interesting assemblage.
Commemorative Silver Dollar Coin Specifications
| Dates: |
1983-present |
| Mints: |
Philadelphia |
|
Denver |
|
San Francisco |
| Composition: |
90% silver |
|
10% copper |
| Weight: |
26.73 grams |
|
0.86 ounces |
| Diameter: |
31.10 mm |
|
1.5 inches |
dollars commemorative
The Peace Dollar series was introduced in 1921 to mark the restoration of peace following the end of World War I. The new dollar coin replaced the Morgan Dollar, which minted in 1921 for the last time. The Peace Dollar was designed by Anthony De Francisci and features a crowned image of Liberty on the obverse and an Eagle on the reverse. The Peace Dollar was minted at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. It was the final silver dollar coin produced in the United States for circulation.
Peace Dollar Coin Specifications
| Dates: |
1921-1935 |
| Mints: |
Philadelphia |
|
Denver |
|
San Francisco |
| Composition: |
90% silver |
|
10% copper |
| Weight: |
26.73 grams |
|
0.86 ounces |
| Diameter: |
38.1 mm |
|
1.5 inches |
dollars Peace
The Presidential Dollar was the third attempt at a small size dollar coin series. The first being Susan B. Anthony Dollars and the second being Sacagawea Dollars. The Presidential Dollar coins had the same composition as the prior Sacagawea, but featured four different rotating obverse designs per year. Each President of the United States was honored in the order served. Coins for circulation were produced at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. Proof coins for collectors were produced at the San Francisco Mint.
Presidential Dollar Coin Specifications
| Dates: |
2007 - present |
| Mints: |
Philadelphia |
|
Denver |
|
San Francisco |
| Composition: |
88.5% copper |
|
6% zinc |
|
3.5% manganese |
|
2% nickel |
| Weight: |
8.1 grams |
|
0.20 ounces |
| Diameter: |
26.50 mm |
|
1.05 inches |
dollars Presidential