The St. Johns herald., 1890-10-16
THE CiLVER DOLLAR.
History of the Popular Coin From the
 Year I7S2 to Date.


 Tn the year 1878 the standard or "Blard" dollar was first issued. and most people considered it Q very hand some coin; but there are some critics who have never ceased to complain of the eagle with uplifted wings, which they dcrisivoly term "buczard." This talk has borne such fruit that Congress has decided to improve the figure of the eagle and has authorized the director of the mint to procure new designs.
 Therefore, the present seems to be a good time to give history of Americas most popular coin, and we can not do better than give the substance of an in terview with |. 4. Mcclure, curatcr of the cabinet, and one Of the best-knoNn numisrnatists in thc world, says Golden Days.
 The first silver dollar was coined un- der the act of February r, 17G2, and weighed 41C grains, and had g fneness Of SG24, which standard was continued for number Of years.
 h 1194 the silver dollar issued had on the obvcrse side @ liberty head facing right with flowing hair, fifteen stars, above the head the word Liberty" beneath 119I. Reverse side, an eagle with raised wings, encircled by branches of laurel, with the legend United States Of America" around the cdce of the coin. while the edge of the coin contained: Hundred cents, ore dollar CT unit"
 The next year, 1705, the design was again changed Gs follows:
 Diverse side-bust of Liberty, facing right, hair bound by Q ribbon, shoulders draped and fifteen stars showing in the field Reverse aide-Gn eaglo with ex- banded wings standing upon clouds, with 8 wreath of palm and laurel, which is crossed and tied, and the in scription: United States of America" In 1798 the same design was used, cX- cept the using of two stars less in the field on the ObFcTSe side.
 On the reverse side of the 1198 dollar a change was made by placing on it ar eagle with raised wings, bearing the United States shield upon it's breast and in its bcGk a scroll with the in scription II Pluribus Unum" upon it: Q bundle cf arrows, thirteen in number, in the right talon. Above were clouds and thirteen stars, and upon it's field United States Of America.
 From 1GG5 to 1889 inclusive thorc were no silver dollars coined for general cir culat.on. h 1cIJ another change was made. On the obvcrao side of the coin vas Liberty seated upon rock, sup , porting with her right hand the United States shield. across which floats scroll inscribed Liberty" and with her left hand supporting the staff and liberty cap; below the date Of coinage.
 On it's reverse side an eagle with eX- handed wilgj. bcoEi1~ the United States shield upon it5 breast and an olive branch and three arrows in its talons. Legend: United States of America, One Boil, ," rcedod edge, size .4. From 1SGG to 1873 same design was uaed. the words Tn God We Trust be- irr added above the eagle.
 From 1874 to 1877 none wore issued, and tho next design accepted was the present oac in use, which WIS struck oil for general use in 1878. On the obverso side VIC have the Liberty head facing loft. upon which i5 g cap, Q wheat and cotton wrc2th end band inscribed Liberty Above the band the words ''E Fluribus Unum;' beneath, the date and l3 stars.
 The reverse side has an eagle with expanded wings, pointing upward; in it's right talon an olive branch with nine leaves; in it's left talon three arrows; in the fold above, the words, ''In God We Trust" beneath, a scmi-wreath, tied and crossed. reaching upward to the wines Of the eagle. Legend: limited States of America. One Dollar" The trade dollars were coined from 1873 to 1883, inclusive, under very pc culiar circumstances. American mer- chants. trading wi.h Asiatio and South American ports, were seriously bampered for lack of suitable currency The standard dollar of 4l2 grains Taa ! Hrb5 wci-a. a..d would not P2ss current outside of the United States, and SC these traders appealed to Congress tC coin tIaIo Lcllar of 42) grains, stamp inc on its weight and 1ncncss. It vas really an inCot of silver, and not intended for circulation in thi. country ct aI- Bat, somehow, tht trade dollars flowed back to this country anl fcra time HoateL at par, until thci1 ; legal standing was discovered; then the. . dropped to 30 or % cents.
 This decrease gave rise to clamo1 that the Government should redeem tho trade dollars, and eventually Congress passed law to that effect. At tht ' present day trade dollars are only wortl - their bullion value.
 Upon the obvcrse side of the trad . dollar was Liberty seated upon cottol bale facing left; in her extended righ hand an olive branch; in her left : scroll inscribed 'Libcrty;' behind he \ sheaf of wheat; beneath, Q scroll in : scribed Tn God We Trust" and bcloT ; the date are thirteen stars. On the re verse side an eagle with eXpande I wings: in it's talons three arrows and a, 2 olive branch; above. scroll inacribo / "E Pluribus Unun;" beneath, on tn = field. ''i21 grains 300 fine. United State -' of America"