Half cents first appeared in 1794 and were a necessary coin to facilitate business in the past. They became obsolete in 1857 due to an increase in both prices and wages.

• Liberty Cap
• Draped Bust
• Classic Head
• Braided Hair

Large cents are composed of copper and it’s copper content was worth approximately one cent back in the day. They were first minted and circulated in 1793 and then subsequently minted every year, except 1815, up to 1857. Types of large cents include:

• Flowing Hair
• Liberty Cap
• Draped Bust
• Classic Head

• Liberty Head
• Matron Head
• Braided Hair

After large cents were discontinued in 1857, they were replaced by a smaller coin that was initially composed of copper and nickel. We usually see small cents with the Flying Eagle and Indian head designs.

This is an odd denomination that was first minted in 1864, but was discontinued only ten years later. The two cent coin is also the first coin to have the phrase “In God We Trust” inscribed in its design.

The predecessor of nickel five cent pieces was the half dime. The first 5 cent pieces were introduced in 1866 and were composed of nickel.

• Shield Nickels (1866-1883)
• Liberty Head V Nickels (1883-1913)

These coins were minted from the years 1792 to 1873.
From left to right:

• 1792 Half Dime
• Flowing Hair
• Draped Bust
• Capped Bust
• Liberty Seated

Dimes first appeared in 1796. There are 6 major types of US dimes:

• Draped Bust
• Capped Bust
• Liberty Seated
• Barber Head
• Mercury
• Roosevelt

20 cent pieces were only produced from 1875 to 1878. The reason? It was easy to confuse a quarter with a 20 cent piece, as the 20 cent piece is only slightly smaller than the quarter and they both feature the same seated liberty design.

The first quarter dollars appeared in 1796 and are still in circulation today. Quarter dollars were traditionally made of Silver until 1964. Major types/designs include:

• Draped Bust
• Capped Bust
• Liberty Seated
• Barber Head
• Standing Liberty
• Washington

In 1794, the first half dollars were minted in the US. It was a popular denomination in the past and was often used in large transactions. Today, it has been surpassed by the quarter in terms of mintage and usage. Nevertheless, Half dollars remain as a favorite in the world of numismatics. There are 8 major types of half-dollars:

• Flowing Hair
• Draped Bust
• Capped Bust
• Liberty Seated
• Barber Head
• Walking Liberty
• Franklin
• Kennedy

The first silver dollars were minted in 1794. It was a key currency denomination as the coins minted prior to the dollar were smaller coins valued at only a fraction of its value. Silver was discontinued in the mintage of dollars in 1935, with the exception of commemorative and American silver eagle coins. Major types of silver dollars include:

• Flowing Hair
• Draped Bust
• Liberty Seated
• Trade Dollars
• Morgan Silver Dollar
• Peace Silver Dollar

Shown here are the Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars

Interested in learning more about rare coins and which of your old coins may be highly valued?  If so, please view our recently completed rare coin guide at the following link.