How to Identify Coins From 1913

Examine the reverse of the penny to see the differences between the design of 1913 and now. The obverse featured a profile of Abraham Lincoln then, but the reverse had the words "One Cent" and "United States of America" in all capital letters surrounded by wheat stalks, giving the "wheat penny" its name. Copper primarily comprised the metal content of the penny then, while zinc is the primary metal used in the early 21st century.

Look for a coin featuring a Native American on the obverse and a buffalo on the reverse. This was the design of the nickel minted from 1913 to 1938 that was primarily known as the "buffalo nickel." This coin was comprised primarily of silver, while modern nickels are a 75 to 25 mixture of copper and nickel, respectively.

Find a small coin featuring Liberty wearing a leafy headband. This is the "Barber dime," named after its designer, Charles E. Barber, and was minted from 1892 to 1916. The reverse features the words "One Dime" in all capital letters. Like most coinage of its day, the 1913 dime was comprised of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.

Study the "Barber quarter." This coin featured the same obverse design as the dime in 1913. The back is different, however, as it features an eagle with wings spread clutching arrows and olive branches among a field of stars.

Know that the only difference in the design of the quarter and half dollar in 1913 are the words at the bottom of the reverse. The quarter features the words "Quarter Dollar" in all capital letters, while the 50-cent coin has the words "Half Dollar."

Feel the heft of the dollar coin. Due to its high silver content, which is 90 percent as nearly all 1913 coinage, this coin weighed nearly 27 grams. This piece was called the "Morgan dollar" after its designer, George T. Morgan. The coin featured a profile of Lady Liberty on the obverse and a spread-winged eagle on the reverse.