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Information on American Coins

Collecting 20th century American coins allows you to hold history in your hands and enjoy some of the unique designs that have graced the country's money. It's also a way to own a precious metal as U.S. dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollar coins minted before 1965 are 90 percent silver.

Nickels
- From 1942 to 1945, the government replaced the usual metal in the Jefferson nickel with silver because it needed nickel in World War II. These "war nickels" are 35 percent silver.
Dimes
- From 1892 to 1916, the dime bore the liberty head, or "Barber," design, named for U.S. Mint engraver Charles E. Barber. The winged liberty head, or "mercury," motif took flight in 1916, and the design honoring President Franklin D. Roosevelt appeared in 1946.
Quarters
- The quarter carried the Barber design from 1892 to 1916 and the standing liberty design from 1916 to 1930. The Washington quarter appeared in 1932.
Half Dollars
- The half dollar featured the Barber design from 1892 to 1915, the walking liberty pattern from 1916 to 1947 and the Franklin design from 1948 to 1963. The coin honoring President John F. Kennedy appeared in 1964.
Dollars
- The U.S. Mint produced the Morgan silver dollar, named for its designer, George T. Morgan, from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. The peace dollar appeared from 1921 to 1935.

Coin Collecting