Category Archives: “Coin Quick Facts”

Quick Facts About the Three Cent Nickel

1875 Three Cent Nickel

  • The three cent nickel was designed by James Barton Longacre, the Chief Engraver at the United States Mint.
  • It was introduced in 1865 to supplement the three cent silver (an existing three-cent coin that was being kept out of circulation by post-Civil War hoarders). It was also intended to replace the very unpopular three cent paper notes (“fractional currency,” also derisively nicknamed “shinplasters”).

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Quick Facts about the Buffalo Nickel

1937 Buffalo Nickel

  • Designed by James Earle Fraser, sculptor and former assistant to Augustus Saint Gaudens
  • Also often called the Indian Head Nickel
  • Minted from 1913 to 1938, with no nickels minted in 1921 because of the recession

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Quick Facts about the Peace Dollar

1922 Peace Dollar

  • Designed by Anthony de Francisci, who was only 34 years old at the time
  • Put into circulation on January 3, 1922
  • Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams

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Quick Facts About the Morgan Silver Dollar

1878 Morgan Silver Dollar

  • Officially named the “Liberty Head dollar”
  • Designed by George T. Morgan, then an Assistant Engraver at the U.S. Mint (later the Chief Engraver)
  • A Philadelphia schoolteacher named Anna Williams was the model for Lady Liberty

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