Coins of the United States

Silver Eagles: American Silver Eagle Coins One-ounce American Silver Eagles are official US Mint one-dollar coins. Because they are one-dollar coins, they are often called American Eagle silver dollars.Since Silver Eagle coins were introduced in 1986, more than 165 million have been minted, making Silver Eagles the most successful U.S. Mint silver bullion coins ever.Each Silver Eagle coin contains one ounce .999 fine silver bullion and carries a symbolic $1 face value. The one-dollar face value makes Silver Eagles "silver dollars." In the coin industry, however, "silver dollars" refer to old silver dollars minted 1878-1904 and 1921-1935. Further, the Silver Eagles' one-dollar face value officially makes American Silver Eagles legal tender. Because the law that permits the U.S. Mint to turn out Silver Eagles classifies them "numismatic," the Mint is allowed to sell Silver Eagles at prices above the one-dollar face value.  The Presidential   dollar Coins   silver dollar coins united states dollar coins dollar coins of the united States  commemorative dollar coins The United States is honoring our Nation’s Presidents by issuing $1 circulating coins featuring their images in the order that they served. The United States Mint issues four Presidential $1 dollar Coins per year, with Presidents Harrison, Tyler, Polk, and Taylor being honored in 2009. Each coin has a common reverse design featuring a striking rendition of the Statue of Liberty. These coins feature larger, more dramatic artwork, as well as edge-incused inscriptions of the year of minting or issuance, "E Pluribus Unum" and the mint mark. "In God We Trust" will appear on the face of the coin starting in 2009. Although the size, weight and metal composition of the new Presidential $1 dollar Coin are identical to that of the Sacagawea Golden Dollar, there are several unique features that make this coin distinctive. The 2009 United States Mint Silver Proof Set contains 18 coins, each bearing the “S” mint mark of the United States Mint at San Francisco. The coins are as follows:   (4) Presidential $1 Coins (honoring past Presidents of the United States: William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor); (6) Quarter-dollar coins (honoring the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands);   (4) Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Coins (recognizing the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth);   (1) Native American $1 dollar Coin;  (1) Jefferson nickel;   (1) Roosevelt dime   (1) Kennedy half-dollar These Native American $1 Coins are circulating quality coins minted at the United States Mint at Philadelphia and have a “P” mint mark.   This program features designs celebrating the important contributions made by Indian tribes and individual Native Americans to the history and development of the United States. The design for the 2009 reverse design is based on the theme of agriculture and features a Native American woman planting seeds in a field of corn, beans and squash and the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and $1. The obverse design remains the central figure of the “Sacagawea” design first produced in 2000, and contains the inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Like the Presidential $1 Coins, the Native American $1 Coins maintain their distinctive edge and golden color and feature edge-lettering of the year, mint mark and the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM.  The Native American $1 dollar Coin can be used in daily transactions. However, because these coins have never been circulated, they also make a great addition to your private collection or a wonderful gift for someone special.   The United States Mint will accept and fulfill orders beginning January 15, 2009.  The United States Mint 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Silver Proof Set contains six new quarter-dollar coins honoring the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories, each struck in lustrous 90% silver. Enjoy the unique character of the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands as portrayed on these beautiful works of art. These coins are a shining embodiment of the United States Mint’s commitment to quality and excellence.  The 2009 United States Mint Proof Set  contains 18 coins, each bearing the “S” mint mark of the United States Mint at San Francisco. Included in this set are four Presidential $1 dollar Coins honoring past Presidents of the United States: William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor; the six quarter-dollar coins honoring the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands; the four Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Coins recognizing the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth; a new Native American $1 Coin; and the Jefferson nickel, Roosevelt dime and Kennedy half-dollar. This beautiful proof 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, inventor of the Braille system, which is used by the blind to read and write. This proof coin is extraordinarily brilliant and features sharp relief and a mirror-like background to highlight the images on both sides of the coin. The obverse of this coin features a portrait of Louis Braille. The reverse shows a child reading a book in Braille with the word “Braille” (abbreviated BRL in Braille code) above him. The word INDEPENDENCE is featured on a bookshelf behind the child.  American Silver Dollar  The American Silver Dollar is probably one of the most well known coins in the world. Much has been written about the history of the silver dollar and how it came to be. Here we shall look at what silver dollars to search for and buy. Although many millions of silver dollars have been minted since the late 1800s there have been times where production has been low or coins have been melted down and the silver content reused. This occurred, for example in 1918 when the Pitman  Act legislated that silver coins be melted down  and converted to silver bars. This meant that 270 million Morgan dollars were melted down and there are now some rare dated coins as a result. In 1921 Morgan coins were again minted but replaced that year by the Peace Dollar making further Morgan Silver Coins of that date rare also. In 1960, when the price of silver rapidly rose, more silver Morgan coins were melted and it has recently been estimated that only 17 or 18 percent of the total number of silver Morgan coins remain today. Silver dollars often have a mint mark to indicate which mint they were struck.In 1986, Liberty, as depicted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, was selected as the design that would grace the obverse of the American Eagle Gold Coins. The Saint-Gaudens design first appeared on the United States' $20, or double-eagle, gold piece in 1907, where it remained until 1933. Like their gold counterparts, American Eagle Silver Coins have been produced and sold in both proof and bullion finishes since 1986. They have always featured a rendition of sculptor Adolph A. Weinman's magnificent Walking Liberty design, originally prepared and executed for the Nation’s first circulating half-dollar coin in 1916.   American Eagle Bullion Coins for Investors Congressionally authorized American Eagle Bullion Coins provide investors with a convenient and cost-effective way to add a small amount of physical platinum, gold, or silver to their investment portfolios. Since their launch in 1986, gold, platinum and silver American Eagles have become leading bullion coin investment products. American Eagle Proof and Uncirculated Coins for Collectors  The United States Mint produces proof versions of American Eagle Bullion coins for collectors. American Eagle Proof Coins undergo a specialized minting process, which begins by manually feeding burnished coin blanks into presses fitted with special dies. The coin is struck multiple times so the softly frosted, yet detailed images seem to float above a mirror-like field. After scrutiny by white gloved inspectors, each American Eagle Proof Coin is sealed in a protective plastic capsule and mounted in a handsome satin-lined velvet presentation case with its own official Certificate of Authenticity. Since American Eagle Proof Coins are produced by the United States Mint, each coin's content, weight and purity are guaranteed by the United States Government. American Eagle Gold, Silver, and Platinum Proof Coins have a limited mintage and can be purchased directly from the United States Mint. In 2006, the United States Mint added another member to the American Eagle family of precious metal coins. Collectors can purchase American Eagle Uncirculated Coins in silver, gold and platinum directly from the United States Mint.   Like its proof counterpart, the American Eagle Silver Uncirculated Coin is available in a one-ounce size, while the American Eagle Uncirculated Coins in both gold and platinum are available in one-tenth, one-quarter, one-half and one ounce sizes, as well as a complete four-coin set containing one coin of each size. The American Eagle Platinum Uncirculated Coins carry the same reverse design as the American Eagle Platinum Proof Coins.  In a process similar to that used to create the magnificent American Eagle Proof Coins, American Eagle Uncirculated Coins are hand-loaded into the coining press, struck on specially burnished blanks and carry the "W" mint mark of the United States Mint at West Point. The American Silver Eagle is the official silver bullion coin of the United States. It was first released by the United States Mint in 1986. It is struck only in the 1 troy oz denomination which has a face value of one dollar and is guaranteed to contain one troy ounce of .999 pure silver. It is authorized by the United States Congress and is backed by the United States Mint for weight and content. The American Silver Eagle bullion coin may be used to fund Individual Retirement account investments. The United States Mint also produces a proof version for coin collectors. The design on the obverse has been borrowed from the "Walking Liberty" design by Adolph A. Weinman, which was originally used on the United States' half-dollar coin from 1916 to 1947. This was probably the public's favorite design on any United States silver coin; hence the choice of this design for the Silver Eagle. The reverse portrays a heraldic eagle and was designed by John Mercanti.  American Silver Dollars As American as a Dollar Mention the word "dollar" nowadays, and most people instantly think about the U.S. Dollar, however the word dollar comes from the German word "tal" meaning valley. The first large size silver coin to be produced in quantity came from Joachimsthal in Austria where there were abundant silver mines. In German the suffix "er" indicates something belonging to or originating from, so that the silver crown sized coins from Joachimsthal were known as Joachimsthalers. This eventually became shortened to "thalers", and further Anglicised to "dollars". First American Dollars The first U.S. dollars were issued in 1794, based on the popular Spanish dollars which were widely used at the time. The first issue of dollars featured a Liberty head on the obverse, and an eagle within a wreath on the reverse. This type was issued until 1798 when a new reverse design was introduced with a heraldic eagle bearing the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM", and which was issued until 1803, apart from a few very rare specimens dated 1804, never officially issued.   Changing Designs With the passing of time, the designs used for dollars has changed, and the following table shows the main types, we have ignored gold dollars. Please note that dollars issued after 1935 are not made of silver. Some varieties if the Eisenhower dollars are silver clad on a copper core.  The Value of Silver Coins The value of silver coins is largely determined by four particular factors.  A scarce or rare coin has a value simply because there are so few of them. An example is the 1913 liberty Head Nickel which would sell for over one million dollars while the plentiful 1000 year old Chinese coins sell for just a few dollars. The condition of a coin is most important. Proof and Brilliant Uncirculated coins are worth hundreds more than coins which have been used. Collectors are always looking for the best quality and best preserved coins available. The value of the metal, such as gold or silver, will have an effect on the price. Some coins are more in demand because of their precious metal content rather than the rarity value. Gold, silver and even platinum coins will rarely sell for less than their precious metal value. Lastly demand plays an important part in the value of silver coins. Some coins are in high demand by collectors and of course this elevates their value as they are prepared to pay more. As an example, there are more than 400,000 1916D dimes in existence compared to 30,000 1978 dimes. You would think the 1978 dimes would fetch a better price as there are less of them and they are much older. In fact the 1916D dimes are more in demand and so collectors are prepared to pay more. Consequently they have a higher value. All of the above factors play a part in determining the value of silver coins and it is important therefore that one does due diligence when seeking a good quality silver coin. Lots of study and scouting around and finding out what is considered valuable and what isn’t can save you from making a loss and a lot of heartbreak. The value of silver coins can be established easily provided you keep in mind rarity, condition, precious metal content and demand. American Silver Eagle American Silver Eagle is a silver bullion coin issued and released by the United States Mint in 1986. The coin has a face value of 1 U.S. dollar and contains 99.9% pure silver. Coins made from precious metals are commonly known as Bullion Coins. These coins are mainly used and stocked as an investment. American Silver Eagle Silver Bullion coins are sometimes used in funding Individual Retirement Accounts.  The mass of an American Silver Eagle coin is 31.103 gram with a thickness and diameter of 2.98mm and 40.60mm respectively. The weight and content of the coin is authorized by the United States Congress. The obverse of the coin features the “Walking Liberty”, designed by Adolph A. Weinman. This design was very commonly used on most of the silver coins of the United States. The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle which was designed by John Mercanti.