Classic U. S. Coins: Half Dollars Quiz

Answer: 1794 and 1795

This coin design was only produced for two years in that denomination with the 1794 date being the rarer by far. For a number of years, the half dollar denomination was the largest silver denomination produced in something like large numbers. The reverse of the coin was based on the Great Seal of the United States.

Answer: The reverse of the coin changed

The "Draped Bust" half dollar featured a small standing eagle on its reverse in 1796 and 1797. After a pause, minting of the denomination resumed in 1801-1807. However, the newer coins featured a heraldic eagle. Interestingly, though several features of the coins were required by law, the specific designed were not required at the time.

Answer: 14

At first, the coins used 13 stars representing the original 13 states. Slightly later, the stars were increased to 15 (for Vermont and Kentucky) and then 16 stars (with the addition of Tennessee). At that point officials realized that the future addition of states would eventually make the design impractical.

Answer: Plain edge

Generally speaking, plain edges were not used on silver or gold coins back then when there was concern about shaving off small amounts of the precious metal. During most the period in question (1807-1836) lettering was used on the edge. In the next two years (1836-1837), the coins switch to a reeded edge and the denomination (50 cents) was moved to the reverse.

In the final two years (1838-1839) the denomination changed to "Half Dol."

Answer: Carson City

The New Orleans mint made the coins from 1840-1861. The San Francisco mint made the coins from 1855-1878. The Carson City mint made the coins from 1870-1878. The Philadelphia mint made the coins for over 50 years.

Answer: In God We Trust

The phrase "In God we Trust" was added to the reverse of the "Seated Liberty" half dollars ceased in1866. The coin was first minted in 1839. The first coin to include the phrase was the two-cent coin in 1864.

Answer: Olive

The arrows represented the ability of our nation to wage war. The olive branch represented the desire of the United States for peace. The use of arrows and an olive branch was a common motif on US coins.

Answer: True

The change in the weight of the coin was minor-less than 1/10 of a gram but it was an increase. Arrows had been previously used in 1853-1855 when the weight of the coin had been decreased slightly. In addition, the coins had used rays around the image of liberty on the obverse.

Answer: Walking Liberty

Adolph Weinmann designed both the "Walking Liberty" half dollar and the "Winged Liberty Head" dime (popularly known as the Mercury dime). The obverse of the half dollar featured Liberty walking towards a sunrise. The image was based on the "sower" figure used on French coins. It is also suggested that the image is based on a bust of Elsie Steven's.

Answer: True

The eagle on the reverse of the Walking Liberty is standing with his wings somewhat draped about him. The words "United States of America" were at the top of the reverse and the denomination "half dollar" were at the bottom. The eagle was described as "on the top of a mountain crag."

Answer: False

The law requires an American Eagle appears on the reverse of all coins with a denomination of quarter dollar and greater. The coin features a small Eagle next to the image of the Liberty Bell that dominates the reverse of the coin. Interestingly, Franklin, who much preferred the wild turkey over the Eagle, might have approved of the image. John R. Sinnock was the primary designer of the coin with some input from Gilroy Roberts.

The coins were minted from 1948 to 1963.

Answer: Gilroy Roberts & Frank Gasparro

The Kennedy half dollar was based on two images. The obverse was based on a Kennedy medal designed by Gilroy Roberts. The reverse was based on a presidential medal designed by Frank Gasparro. From Kennedy's assassination to the minting of the first coins was less than 10 weeks.

Answer: 40%

Through a large part of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, half dollars were 90% silver. Steadily rising prices of silver led to the elimination of silver from dimes and quarter dollars and a reduction of silver in half dollars-though not an even reduction.

The outer layer of half dollars was 80% silver and it was attached to a mostly base core that was only 21% silver. After 1970, all silver would be removed from circulation half dollars.

Answer: Independence Hall

The Liberty Bell appeared on the dollar coin and the colonial drummer appeared on the quarter dollar. The image of Independence Hall appeared on the half dollar. The coins were minted in 1975 and 1976 although all of the coins had the double date "1776-1976." Close to 519,000,000 coins were minted between the Philadelphia and Denver mints.

Answer: 1998

The Robert Kennedy dollar feature the seal of the Department of Justice on the reverse. The two-coin set is known as the Kennedy collectors set. In the set, the Kennedy half dollar was released with a special matte finish.