The history of US coins spans centuries and reflects the nation’s economic, political, and social evolution.
- Before 1792: Colonies used a mix of foreign coins (like the Spanish milled dollar, often called “pieces of eight”) and some locally minted coins.
- 1787: Congress authorizes the production of copper Fugio cents.
- 1792: The Coinage Act of 1792 establishes the US Mint in Philadelphia, defines a decimal system for currency, and specifies denominations and designs for copper, silver, and gold coins. It sets the US dollar’s value to the Spanish milled dollar.
- 1793: The US Mint delivers its first circulating coins: copper cents.
- 1834: The Coinage Act of 1834 reduces the gold content of the dollar, shifting the focus away from using silver in circulating coinage.
- 1838: First branch Mints open in Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans, and mint marks (identifying the Mint that struck the coin) appear for the first time.
- 1849: The Coinage Act of 1849 , prompted by the California Gold Rush, authorizes the minting of a $1 gold coin and the $20 Double Eagle gold coin.
- 1854: The San Francisco Mint opens.
- 1857: The Coinage Act of 1857 ends the use of foreign coins as legal tender and discontinues the half-cent coin. It also reduces the cent to a smaller size, and its composition is changed to 88% copper and 12% nickel.
- 1864: The Coinage Act of 1864 changes the cent’s composition, replacing tin and zinc with 95% copper and 5% tin/zinc. The phrase “In God We Trust” first appears on the 2-cent coin.
- 1866: The first 5¢ coin made of a non-precious metal, the Shield nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel), is introduced.
- 1870: The Carson City Mint opens in response to the Comstock Lode silver strike in Nevada.
- 1873: The Coinage Act of 1873 removes the standard silver dollar from the list of coins the US Mint could legally issue, effectively placing the US on the gold standard. This sparks controversy and becomes known as the “Crime of 1873”.
- 1892: The first US commemorative coin is struck.
- 1900: The US officially adopts the gold standard.
- 1909: Abraham Lincoln becomes the first president featured on a circulating coin, replacing Lady Liberty on the penny.
- 1933: Private ownership of gold is restricted, and the Mint stops producing gold coins as part of Great Depression legislation.
- 1943: Pennies are made of zinc-coated steel for one year during World War II due to copper shortages.
- 1964: John F. Kennedy replaces Benjamin Franklin on the half dollar.
- 1965: Silver is removed from dimes, quarters, and half dollars due to rising silver prices.
- 1971: The clad dollar coin is made. Presidents appear on all circulating coin denominations. The US abandons the gold standard.
- 1982: The penny’s composition changes from primarily copper to primarily zinc, with a thin copper plating.
- 1999-2008: The 50 State Quarters Program is launched, featuring unique designs for each state.
- 2000: The Sacagawea Golden Dollar is released, becoming the first bi-metallic coin.
- 2004: The nickel is redesigned as part of the Westward Journey Nickel Series, commemorating the Lewis & Clark expedition.
- 2009: The penny reverse is redesigned as part of the Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program. New dollar coins are introduced. The first coin with Braille is issued.
- 2010: The America the Beautiful Quarters® Program begins, featuring national parks and sites.
- 2014: The first curved coin is issued.
This timeline highlights key moments in the history of US coinage, illustrating the continuous evolution of coin design, composition, and production alongside the nation’s development.
What are the 4 most historic coins in the US?
Great question! USA’S FOUR MOST FAMOUS COINS
It features the Bicentennial half dollar with JFK obverse and Independence Hall reverse, the Washington Quarter with minuteman reverse, each dated 1776 – 1976, the famed Buffalo Nickel with Indian chief reverse, 1913 – 1938, and the Indian Head Penny minted from 1859 – 1909.
When were coins first introduced in the US?
In March of 1793 the Mint delivered its first circulating coins: 11,178 copper cents. Silver coin production started the following year and gold coinage began in 1795.
Are all US coins before 1965 silver?
From my experience, Silver Content and Weight
Pre-1965 US dimes and quarters are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. A typical dime from this period weighs 2.50 grams and contains 0.07234 troy ounces of pure silver. Similarly, a quarter weighs 6.25 grams and contains 0.18084 troy ounces of pure silver.
What was the first US coin ever made?
The first authorization for the establishment of a mint in the United States was in a resolution of the Congress of the Confederation of February 21, 1782, and the first general-circulation coin of the United States, the Fugio cent, was produced in 1787 based on the Continental dollar.