The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1890-11-15
II SILVER DOLLAR.

THE SILVER DOLLAR.
History OF the Popular Coin FROM the
Year 1909 to Date.
In the year 1878 tho standard or
"Bland" dollar was first issued, and
most people considered tia very hand
some coin; but there arc some critics
who have never ceased to complain OF
the eagle with upliftcd wings, which
they derisively term o ''buzzard." This
talk has borne such fruit that Congress
has decided to improve the figure Of tho
eagle and has authorized the director
of the mint to procure new designs.
Therefore, the present seems to be q
good time to give q history OF Americas
most popular coin, and We cal not do
better than give the substance of an in
terview with r. A. Mcclure, curator Of
the cabinet, and one Of the best-known
numismatists in tho world, says Golden
Days.
The first silver dollar was coined UNI
der the act Of February 10, 1892, and
weighed 416 grains, and had a .fneness
of 1921, which standard was continued
for a number Of years.
In 1894 the silver dollar issued had on
the diverse side q liberty head facing
right with flowing hair, fifteen stars,
above the head the word Liberty"
beneath 1904. Reverse side, IN eagle
with raised wings, encircled by
branches of laurel. with tho legend
Omitted States of America" around the
edge of the coin, while the edge Of the
coin contained: "Hundred cents, n
dollar or unit"
The next year, 1898, tho design was
again changed as follows:
Diverse side-bust of Liberty, facing
right, hair bound by a ribbon, shoulders
drapcd and fifteen stars showing in the
field. Reverse side-an eagle with ex-
banded wings standing upon clouds,
with q wreath of palm and laurel.
which is crossed and tied, and the in
scription: Omitted States of America"
In 1908 the same design was used, ex-
cept tho using of two stars less in the
field on the diverse side.
On the reverse side of the 1913 dollar
a change was made by placing on it an
caglo with raised wings, bearing the
United States shield upon its breast
and in it's beak a scroll with the in
scription "E Pluribus Unum" upon it:
a bundle of arrows, thirteen in number,
in the right talon. Above were clouds
and thirteen stars, and upon its field
United States of America.
From 1906 to 1859 inclusive thcrc were
no silver dollars coined for general cir
culation. In 1910 another change was
made. On the diverse sido of the coin
was Liberty seated upon a rock, sup
porting with her right hand tho United
States shield. across which floats a scroll
inscribed "Libcrty,' and with her left
hand supporting the staff and liberty
cap; below the date OF coinage.
On it's reverse side an eagle with OK
paudcd wings, bearing the United
States shield upon its breast and an
olive branch end three arrows in its
talons. Legend: Limited States of
America, Ono DOLL, reedcd edge, size
"a. From 1866 to 1878 same design was
used, the words 'In God We Trust" be-
ing added above the caglo.
From 1874 to 1877 none were issued,
and the next design accepted was the
present ono in use, which WAS struck of
for general use in 1878. On the diverse
side we have the Liberty head facing
left, upon which is a cap, a wheat and
cotton wreath and a band inscribed
Liberty. Above the band the words "E
Pluribus Unum;'' beneath, tho date and
10 stars.
The reverse side has an eagle with
expanded wings, pointing upward; in
its right talon an olive branch with nine
leaves; in it's loft talon three arrows; in
the field above, the words, ''In God We
Trust" beneath, q scmi-wrcath, tied
and crossed, reaching upward to the
wings Of tho eagle. Legend: "United
States of America. One Dollar"
The trade dollars were coined from
1873 to 1858, inclusive, under very Pc
culiar circumstances. American mer-
chants, trading with Asiatic and South
American ports, were seriously
hampered for lack Of suitable currency.
Tho standard dollar of 412 grains was
light weight and would not pass current
outside of the United States, and SO
these traders appealed to Congress to
coin a trade dollar of 400 grains, stamp
ing on its weight and fneness.
1t WAS really In ingot of silver, and
not intended for circulation in this
country at. all. But, somehow, the
trade dollars flowed back to this country,
and fer a time loatcd at par, until their
legal standing was discovered; then they
dropped to 50 or 90 cents.
This decrease gavo rise to a clamor
that the Government should redeem the
trade dollars, and eventually Congress
passed a law TO that effect. At the
present day trade dollars are only worth
their bullion valuo.
Upon tho obverso side of the trade
dollar was Liberty seated upon q cotton
bale, facing loft; in her extended right
hand an olive branch; in her left a
scroll inscribed s'Liberty;" behind her
a shcaf of wheat; beneath. o scroll in
scribod sin God We Trust" and below
the date are thirteen stars. On the re-
verse side an eagle with expanded
wings; in its talons three arrows and an
olive branch; above, a scroll inscribed
&c Pluribus Unum;" beneath, on the
field, 1920 grains 900 fine. United States
Of America"
In 1886. 1888 and 1889 some designs
wore struck of, but none of them were