American Silver Eagle
Serving as the official silver bullion coin of the United States Of America, the American Silver Eagle was first released by the US Mint on the 24th of Novermber 1986. Guaranteed to contain a troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver, the American Silver Eagle has a nominal face value of one dollar.
Morgan Silver Dollar
The Morgan silver dollar was minted in response to the Bland-Allsion Act. The greatest silver strike in US history, the Comstock Lode, was discovered in Nevada in the late 1850s. This strike put downward pressure on silver prices the world over. The Bland Allison Act was passed by Congress in 1878 which required the US Treasury to buy large amounts of silver to use for striking coins. The Treasury decided to strike the silver as dollars.
Seated Liberty Silver Dollar
The Seated Liberty silver dollar was issued from 1840 to 1873. The name is derived based on the design that was created by Christian Gobrecht. Lady Liberty is seated, holding the Union Shield. On the reverse is a bald eagle holding arrows in one claw and an olive branch in the other. The eagle has the Union Shield on its chest.
Flowing Hair Silver Dollar
The US Congress authorized the dollar as legal tender as part of the Mint Act of 1792 but due to delays, the silver coinage was not put into production until 1794 with the dollar and half dollar. Congress specified that the new coins should have a design that was ‘emblematic of Liberty’ so engraver Robert Scot produced a right facing youthful female with flowing hair. The word LIBERTY appears above her and fifteen stars are along the side with the date below. Scot meant for Liberty’s flowing hair to signify freedom. The reverse has a small eagle with wings spread sitting on a rock with laurel branches surrounding it. Circling this is UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The edge of the Flowing Hair silver dollar has the inscription HUNDRED CENTS ON DOLLAR OR UNIT.
Draped Bust Silver Dollar
In 1795 Congress responded to widespread dissatisfaction of the Flowing Hair design that all denominations carried. Now Congress mandated that the eagle, the word LIBERTY, stars and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA must be on all coins.
