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

The Classic Head Half Cent was the third design used for the half cent denomination. It was used from the introduction in 1809 through 1836, the date of a rare proof only issue. John Reich was the designer of the coin which features a head of Liberty wearing a headband with the word “Liberty” on the obverse and a wreath of laurel leaves encircling the denomination on the reverse. The Classic Head Half Cent would have the same coin specifications as the previous Draped Bust design, although a refinement of minting techniques would make the actual specifications of most coins closer to the stands.

As with all small denomination coins of the era, production took place at the Philadelphia Mint only. Despite the span of the series, sporadic production reduces the number of dates in the series to just thirteen dates, including two struck in proof only version.

Classic Head Half Cent Coin Specifications

half cents classic head

The Liberty Cap Half Cent was the first series for the smallest denomination of the United States authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792. As such it has become an important coin historically and a desirable issue for type set collectors. The obverse of the coin features an image of Liberty facing left (1794) and facing right (1795-1797). A cap appears on a pole behind her head the inscriptions “Liberty” and the date appear above and below. The reverse features a laurel wreath with the denomination and “United States of America”.

During the course of the short series, the Liberty Cap Half Cent underwent a change in specifications. The official weight was reduced from 6.74 grams to 5.44 grams starting with 1795. The edge of the coin was also changed to lettered to plain, although some lettered edge coins exist for dates after the standard had changed.

Liberty Cap Half Cent Coin Specifications

half cents liberty cap