Coin Specifications

The second design type for the fifty cent denomination was introduced in 1796 and ultimately used until 1807. The Draped Bust Half Dollar includes two distinct reverse types, the first which appear in 1796 and 1797 and the second from 1801 to 1807.

Specifications for the coins remained the same as the previous Flowing Hair Half Dollars, although continued improvements in minting and technology would bring actual coin specifications more often in line with the standards. The composition consisted of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. For underweight or overweight planchets, the early mint may have made adjustment marks or plugs prior to striking. The approximate diameter of coins was 32.5 mm with a weight of 13.48 grams or 208 grains.

Robert Scot is credited with the designs for the Draped Bust Half Dollar, although it is said to have been based on drawings by Gilbert Stuart. An image of Liberty appears facing left with a portion of her bust, which is draped, visible within the image. There are stars to either side, which alternately numbered 15, 16, or 13, and the word “Liberty” above and the date below. The initial reverse type known as the small eagle reverse was carried over from the previous type, but had the addition of the fraction “1/2″ below the eagle.

The later reverse type used from 1801 until the end of the series featured a heraldic eagle based on the Great Seal of the United States. The eagle appeared behind a shield with a bundle of arrows and olive branch in its claws. Clouds and thirteen stars appeared above with “United States of America” surrounding the image. Indication of the denomination was removed and now only noted by the edge lettering.

Draped Bust Half Dollar Coin Specifications

halves draped bust

From 1796 to 1805, the United States Mint issued the Draped Bust Half Dimes. This was the second type for the denomination, which carried the specifications required by the Mint Act of 1792. This series was very short in duration, but made a lasting impression on coin collectors through the creation of a significant rarity.

The obverse portrait of Liberty is said to have been designed by Robert Scot, based on concepts provided by the famous Philadelphia portraitist Gilbert Stuart. Liberty faces right, with hair lightly bound and her bust draped. The reverse design initially depicted a small sized eagle within a circular wreath. This was later changed to a heraldic eagle with a ribbon in its beak, an olive branch and arrows in its talons, stars and clouds above.

Each Draped Bust Half Dime was struck in a composition of 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. This unusually specific ratio would not be adjusted to the more familiar 90% silver, 10% copper until the final year of the following series in 1837. The coins had a diameter of 16.5 mm, which would be reduced to 15.5, again in the subsequent series.

All coins were struck at the early Philadelphia Mint and carried a reeded edge. It’s worth noting that the denomination did not appear anywhere on the coin, as was usually the case with these early U.S. coin series.

Draped Bust Half Dime Coin Specifications

half dimes draped bust

The start of the Liberty Coronet Gold Eagle series also marked the start of new specifications for the denomination. The change was prompted by higher world gold prices that made the melt value of the ten dollar gold coins higher than the face value. Production was suspended from 1804 until 1837, when two acts of Congress adjusted both the purity and weight of the gold denominations.

The Liberty Gold Eagle had a composition of 90% gold and 10% copper. The weight of the coins was 16.718 grams, which yielded a net weight of .48375 of pure gold.

Christian Gobrecht was the designer of the new series which featured the head of Liberty on the obverse. She wore a coronet with the word “Liberty” and was surrounded by thirteen stars. The reverse design of the coin featured a bald eagle with a shield at its chest and olive branches and arrows in its talons. Starting in 1866, a scroll was added above the eagle, which included the motto “In God We Trust”.

The design proved to be an enduring one, lasting until 1907 when it was finally replaced by the Indian Head design by Augustus Saint Gaudens. During the series, coins were struck at Philadelphia, Denver, Carson City, New Orleans, and San Francisco.

Liberty Coronet Eagle Coin Specifications

eagles 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

Representing the longest duration for a design on the quarter dollar denomination so far was the Liberty Seated Quarter series which spanned from 1838 to 1891. While the basic design did remain unchanged for this entire period, there were several subtle changes in design as well as adjustments to weight.

The image of Liberty Seated on a rock with a pole and shield was designed by Christian Gobrecht. The original concept is said to be derived from images of Britannia, used on British coinage. The reverse of each coin features a bald eagle, facing left. A shield is at the eagle’s breast and an olive branch and bundle of arrows are in its claws.

Originally, the Seated Liberty Quarter carried a weight of 6.68 grams. This remained the case until 1853 when the weight was lowered to 6.22 grams. To denote the change arrows were added at the date and rays were placed around the eagle. Two decades later, the weight was increased slightly to 6.25 grams. Once again, the arrows at the date were briefly used to denote the change.

Other design changes during the course of the series included adding drapery at Liberty’s elbow from 1840 onwards and adding a scroll on the reverse with the motto “In God We Trust” from 1866 onwards.

Seated Liberty Quarter Coin Specifications

quarters Seated Liberty