Hobbies And Interests
Flowing Hair and Draped Bust
The earliest silver dollar had what was known as the Flowing Hair design. The coin featured the profile of Lady Liberty on the front with an eagle on the back. Early production problems with proper silver weight shortened the life of the coin. It was only minted from 1794 to 1795. The Draped Bust, also featuring a bust of Lady Liberty on the front and an eagle on the back, followed the Flowing Hair. The coin was produced sporadically, as the Mint had trouble acquiring enough silver for production. This led to varying number of coins minted and minting difference within a coin year. These early coins vary in value because of the production irregularities.
Seated Liberty
Seated Liberty dollars feature Lady Liberty on the front of the coin. Three versions were produced from 1836 to 1873. The Golbrecht type, minted from 1836 to 1839, featured a flying eagle on the back side of the coin. The No Motto version (minted 1840 to 1865) and the Motto version (1866-73) both featured a perched eagle holding arrows and an olive branch on the back. The Motto coin had "In God We Trust" written over the eagle.
Trade Dollar
The U.S. Trade Dollar was designed exclusively for trade in Asia to compete with other foreign currencies. The front featured Lady Liberty seated on a cotton bale by the sea. The back featured an eagle similar to the back of the Seated Liberty dollar. While most damaged coins fetch less, "chop marks" made by Chinese merchants checking the coins authenticity can actually increase value.
Morgan Silver Dollar
Morgan silver dollars were named for designer George T. Morgan. They were minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. They were favored by the Free Silver Movement political movement that successfully fought the gold standard. The front features Lady Liberty looking left and an eagle on the back.
Peace Dollar
The peace dollar was minted from 1921 to 1935. The dollars were minted to commemorate the end of World War I and were designed by Anthony DeFrancisci. The front features a crowned Lady liberty looking left and the back features an eagle holding an olive branch on a rock looking into the rays of the sun.
Eisenhower Dollar
The Coinage Act of 1965 limited silver coinage. In 1971, the Mint produced the first silver dollar when the act's five-year ban on silver coins was lifted. The coin is 40 percent silver. The Eisenhower dollar, minted a year after Eisenhower's death, has the late president on the front of the coin. On the back an eagle holding an olive branch on the moon.
American Eagle
The American Eagle is a non-circulating silver proof coin sold to collectors. While it has one dollar stamped on the front, the value of the coin is based on the spot price of silver. It has been in production since 1986.