From Indian Head Cents to the Morgan Dollar, grow your understanding of coin collecting!
Explore
Each coin has its own unique story, discover rare and historic coins that tell the story of our past.
Discover
Classic designs that showcase craftsmanship along with patriotism!
From Indian Head Cents to the Morgan Dollar, grow your understanding of coin collecting!
Explore
Each coin has its own unique story, discover rare and historic coins that tell the story of our past.
Discover
Classic designs that showcase craftsmanship along with patriotism!
Please note that all coins showcased on this page are not reflective of our store inventory. To view our active inventory, please check out our products page by clicking “Shop” in our menu or visit our eBay store by searching for Gilbert Coin Exchange on eBay.
(1856 – 1858)
(1856 – 1858)
Weight: 4.67g | Diameter: 19mm | Composition: 88% Copper, 12% Nickel
Weight: 4.67g | Diameter: 19mm Composition: 88% Copper, 12% Nickel
All Flying Eagle Cents were coined at the Philadelphia Mint. It is believed that anywhere from 2,000 – 3,000 of these cents were minted in 1856. With a total series mintage of approx. 42,050,000.
Designed by James B. Longrace
(1859 – 1909)
(1859 – 1909)
Weight: 4.67g | Diameter: 19mm | (1859-1864) Composition: 88% Copper, 12% Nickel (1864-1909) Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Weight: 4.67g | Diameter: 19mm
(1859-1864) Composition:
88% Copper, 12% Nickel
(1864-1909) Composition:
95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Like the Flying Eagle Cent, the Indian Head Cent was also only minted at the Philadelphia Mint. This design depicts Lady Liberty wearing an American Indian headdress on the obverse and an oak wreath on the reverse. In 1859 the reverse only featured the wreath surrounding “One Cent”, however beginning in 1860 the design was changed to include a small shield.
Designed by James B. Longrace
(1909 – 1958)
(1909 – 1958)
Weight: 3.11g | Diameter: 19mm Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Weight: 3.11g | Diameter: 19mm Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
The Lincoln Cent was first issued to commemorate 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The designers initials (V.D.B.) appear on a limited number of these cents from the year 1909, followed by a brief timeframe when they were not included in the design. The initials were added back to the design in 1918. This design was the first one cent coin to feature the motto “In God We Trust”.
Designed by Victor D. Brenner
(1943)
(1943)
Weight: 2.7g | Diameter: 19mm Composition: Steel coated with Zinc
Weight: 2.7g | Diameter: 19mm Composition: Steel coated with Zinc
During World War II the copper that was being used to mint our pennies was instead allocated for the war effort. As a result, in the year 1943 pennies were minted using steel and zinc instead. A total of 493,838,670 Steel cents were minted across all three mints that year.
(1866-1883)
(1866-1883)
Weight: 5g | Diameter: 20.5mm | Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Weight: 5g | Diameter: 20.5mm Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
The Shield Nickel came about by the Act of May 16, 1866. The weight of the coin was set at 5 grams and the metal composition was the same as its 1965 predecessor, the 3-cent piece. The Shield Nickel was exclusively coined at the Philadelphia Mint.
Designed by James B. Longrace
(1883 – 1913)
(1883 – 1913)
Weight: 5g | Diameter: 21.2mm Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Weight: 5g | Diameter: 21.2mm Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
In 1883, the nickel was change to feature the portrait of Lady Liberty. The Liberty Head Nickel became known as the “V” Nickel due to the large roman numeral V, indicating “5”, on the reverse. The first iteration of this design neglected to include the word “Cents”, which led to many of these nickels being gold plated in an attempt to pass them off as $5 gold pieces. These counterfeits are commonly referred to as “Racketeer Nickels”.
Designed by Charles E. Barber
(1883)
(1883)
This is an approximate depiction of a racketeer nickel.
(1913 – 1938)
(1913 – 1938)
Weight: 5g | Diameter: 21.2mm | Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Weight: 5g | Diameter: 21.2mm Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Often referred to as Indian Head or Buffalo Nickels, these coins depict the portrait of an American Indian on the obverse and a bison on the reverse. Within this series there are 2 varieties that were made in 1913, one with the bison standing on a mound and the other with a thinner straight line like the one shown above.
Designed by James Earl Fraser
(1938 – 2003)
(1938 – 2003)
Weight: 4.67g | Diameter: 19mm (1938-1942, 1946-2003) Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Weight: 4.67g | Diameter: 19mm (1938-1942, 1946-2003)
Composition: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Like The designer for the Jefferson Nickel was decided via competition with around 390 different competitors. Felix Schlag’s design was seen as a confirmation of the public’s approval of the coin’s theme which moved away from the previous trend of symbolic designs.
Designed by Felix Schlag
(1942-1945)
(1942-1945)
Weight: 4.67g | Diameter: 19mm Composition: 56% Copper, 35% Silver, 9% Manganese
Weight: 4.67g | Diameter: 19mm Composition: 56% Copper, 35% Silver, 9% Manganese
Not unlike the Lincoln Cent from 1943, the Jefferson Nickel underwent a composition change during World War II. Rather than being composed of the typical 75% copper and 25% nickel, the copper and nickel in the coin was reduced or removed completely to meet wartime demand.
(1837 – 1891)
(1837 – 1891)
Weight: 2.5 – 2.67g | Diameter: 17.9mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 2.5 – 2.67g | Diameter: 17.9mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
In 1837, the US Mint began the production of the Seated Liberty Dime series, this series features 6 main varieties that reflect updates to the design and weight. Despite its popularity among collectors today, the US Mint officials of the time did not consider it a desirable design and shortly discontinued it.
Designed by Christian Gobrecht
(1892 – 1916)
(1892 – 1916)
Weight: 2.5g | Diameter: 17.9mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 2.5g | Diameter: 17.9mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Charles E. Barber designed the 10, 25, and 50 Cent pieces during his time as chief engraver a the US Mint. The 10 Cent design differs from the others in the design of the reverse. The reverse features a wreath made from corn, wheat, maple, and oak leaves. His initial “B” can be found at the truncation of the neck on the obverse of the designs.
Designed by Charles E. Barber
(1916 – 1945)
(1916 – 1945)
Weight: 2.5g | Diameter: 17.9mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 2.5g | Diameter: 17.9mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Also referred to as the Mercury Dime, this coin features a depiction of Lady Liberty wearing a winged cap that was intended to represent liberty of thought. At the time the design was perceived by many in the public audience to represent the roman god mercury, hence the nickname “Mercury Dime”. The designer’s initials “AW” can be found in the field of the coin behind Liberty’s head.
Designed by Adolph A. Weinman
(1946 – 1964)
(1946 – 1964)
Weight: 2.5g | Diameter: 17.9mm | Composition: 90 Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 2.5g | Diameter: 17.9mm Composition: 90 Silver, 10% Copper
Like the Jefferson Nickel, this design marked a move away from symbolic designs in our national coinage. Featuring the portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt on the obverse with a torch flanked by an olive and oak branch on the reverse. These dimes were made with silver until the year 1965, when the silver was removed and the coins were made by cladding copper with nickel.
Designed by John R. Sinnock
(1838 – 1891)
(1838 – 1891)
Weight: 6.68g | Diameter: 24.3mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.68g | Diameter: 24.3mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Designed by Christian Gobrecht
(1892 – 1916)
(1892 – 1916)
Weight: 6.25g | Diameter: 24.3mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.25g | Diameter: 24.3mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
With a design similar to its 10 and 50 Cent counterparts the Barber quarter features Liberty wearing a laurel crown on the obverse. Like the half dollar, this coin’s reverse displays a flying eagle with a shield holding an olive branch and arrows. In 1892 there are 2 varieties on the reverse. The first variety has the eagle’s wing covering only half of the “E” in UNITED, whereas the second, more common, variety has the wing covering most of the “E”.
Designed by Charles E. Barber
(1916 – 1930)
(1916 – 1930)
Weight: 6.25g | Diameter: 24.3mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.25g | Diameter: 24.3mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
The Standing Liberty Quarter, designed by Hermon A. MacNeil, shows Lady Liberty standing between two pedestals with an olive branch in her left hand and a shield in her right. Representing Liberty as a protector of peace.
Designed by Hermon A. MacNeil
(1932 – 1964)
(1932 – 1964)
Weight: 6.25g | Diameter: 24.3mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 6.25g | Diameter: 24.3mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Designed by New York sculptor John Flanagan, the Washington quarter design was initially intended to be a commemorative issue marking the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. This coin, like the Roosevelt dime, was initially produced with a composition of 90% silver until 1965 when it was made by cladding copper with nickel.
Designed by James B. Longrace
(1892 – 1915)
(1892 – 1915)
Weight: 12.5g | Diameter: 30.6mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 12.5g | Diameter: 30.6mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Designed by Charles E. Barber
(1916 – 1947)
(1916 – 1947)
Weight: 12.5g | Diameter: 30.6mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 12.5g | Diameter: 30.6mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Designed by Adolph A. Weinman
(1948 – 1963)
(1948 – 1963)
Weight: 12.5g | Diameter: 30.6mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 12.5g | Diameter: 30.6mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Prior to 1948 there had already been discussion of memorializing Franklin on a coin. The dime was a top contender due to his close association with the March of Dimes campaign to eradicate polio. However, the half dollar was chosen instead and the Franklin Half Dollar was first produced in1948 and continued its production until 1963, shortly after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Designed by John R. Sinnock
(1964)
(1964)
Weight: (1964) 12.5g (1965-1970) 11.5g | Diameter: 30.6mm | (1964) Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper | (1965-1970) Composition: 40% Silver, 60% Copper
Weight:
(1964) 12.5g (1965-1970) 11.5g Diameter: 30.6mm
(1964) Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
(1965-1970) Composition: 40% Silver, 60% Copper
After the assassination of JFK, Congress moved to preemptively end the Franklin Half Dollar series and replace it with the highly favored Kennedy Half Dollar. In the year 1964 alone, the total mintage across all mints totaled close to the entire circulation strike mintage of the entire Franklin Half Series.
Designed by Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro
(1873 – 1885)
(1873 – 1885)
Weight: 27.22g | Diameter: 38.1mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 27.22g | Diameter: 38.1mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Like The Trade Dollar was initially issued for circulation in Asia to compete with dollar-sized coins of other countries. Many pieces that circulated in Asia were counter stamped with tradesmen characters known as “Chop Marks”. These marks were used as a way of verifying the coins authenticity.
Designed by William Barber
(1878 – 1921)
(1878 – 1921)
Weight: 26.73g | Diameter: 38.1mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 26.73g | Diameter: 38.1mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
The coinage law of 1873 made no provision for the standard silver dollar. In the years between the coining of the Trade Dollar and the Morgan Dollar, the gold dollar became the unit coin. Resumption of coinage of the silver dollars resumed in 1878 with the Morgan Dollar. Arguably one of the most popular collector coin series’, the Morgan dollar remains a must have for new hobbyists.
Designed by George T. Morgan
(1921 – 1935)
(1921 – 1935)
Weight: 26.73g | Diameter: 38.1mm | Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 26.73g | Diameter: 38.1mm Composition: 90% Silver, 10% Copper
The Peace Dollar design was issued as a commemorative peace coin. The coin has a high-relief mintage in 1921 and 1922, and a normal relief on coins minted in the following years.
Designed by Anthony de Francisci
Third Party Grading Companies
In the world of US coin collecting, there are a many different companies that are responsible for the grading and encapsulation of collector coins. Hobbyist might want to grade a coin with one of these companies, for any number of reasons. Upon receiving a coin back from the company, the owner of the coin can have a more concrete idea of the potential value of their coin. And while these companies offer professional opinions on the coin’s condition, a buyer or seller may make their own judgment about how they value that same coin. As always, it is important to remember that the professionals that assign the grades to coins are still human, so a savvy buyer should always do their best to examine a coin for themselves before purchasing.
The Grading Scale
Coins are graded based on a numeric scale that starts at 1 and goes up to 70. However, not every number from 1-70 is used in this scale. The grading scale is broken up into the following sections, beginning at the lowest grade, Poor (PO), Fair (FR), Good (G), Very Good (VG), Fine (F), Very Fine (VF), Extra Fine (XF), About Uncirculated (AU), and Mint State (MS). Below, there is a visual representation of each step on the grading scale beginning at the grade “Fair”.
The images used for this visual aid were sourced from PCGS’s Photograde tool. To compare a different coin series, please navigate to pcgs.com/coinfacts
The images used for this visual aid were sourced from PCGS’s Photograde tool. To compare a different coin series, please navigate to pcgs.com/coinfacts
The ANA
If The American Numismatic Association’s website offers access to their resource library and features articles that can help you stay up to date on what’s going on in the world of money!
Find them online at:
The ANA
If The American Numismatic Association’s website offers access to their resource library and features articles that can help you stay up to date on what’s going on in the world of money!
Find them online at:
The Red Book
If you’re looking for beginner friendly resource books to help you get started with your collection, we recommend checking out “The Official Red Book” Series. There is an annual edition of the Red Book that outlines each US coin series and its mintages. The series features volumes that focus on individual series’ so that you can research exactly what you’re interested in!
The Red Book
If you’re looking for beginner friendly resource books to help you get started with your collection, we recommend checking out “The Official Red Book” Series. There is an annual edition of the Red Book that outlines each US coin series and its mintages. The Red Book series also features volumes that focus on individual coin series’ so that you can research exactly what you’re interested in!
PCGS CoinFacts
Another online resource that is great for visual learners is PCGS’s CoinFacts page. This website offers hobbyists the opportunity to browse high quality images of all US Coins.
Find them online at:
PCGS CoinFacts
Another online resource that is great for visual learners is PCGS’s CoinFacts page. This website offers hobbyists the opportunity to browse high quality images of the vast majority of US Coins, leaving out only some rarely seen varieties that PCGS has not sourced images of.
Find them online at:
The information provided on this page is meant to serve as a basic resource for beginning hobbyists. The information has been gathered from a variety of sources, including: The Red Book, PCGS CoinFacts, as well as Gilbert Coin Exchange in House catalogs and reference materials. If you should have any questions regarding this page’s sourcing please contact us.
