Dollars

About Dollars

The silver dollar was authorized by Congress on April 2, 1792. Weight and fineness were specified at 416 grains and .8924 fine. The first issues appeared in 1794, and until 1804 all silver dollars had the value stamped on the edge: HUNDRED CENTS, ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT. After a lapse in coinage of the silver dollar during the period 1804 through 1835, in 1836 coins were made with plain edges and the value was placed on the reverse. The weight was changed by the law of January 18, 1837, to 412-1/2 grains, .900 fineness. The coinage was discontinued by the Act of February 12, 1873, and reauthorized by the Act of February 28, 1878. The silver dollar was again discontinued after 1935, and since then only base-metal pieces have been coined for circulation.