1916 was an unusual year in the history of U.S. silver coins. That year the US Mint released three newly designed coins; the silver Mercury Dime, the silver Standing Liberty Quarter, the silver Walking Liberty Half Dollar.
Usually the redesign of a coin corresponds with an important date in U.S. history. For example, in 1909 the U.S. mint released the redesign cent with President Lincoln on the obverse, the importance of the date 1909 is that it commemorates Lincoln’s birth year, 1809. Further, in 1932 the U.S. mint released the redesigned quarter with President Washington on the obverse. The importance of the 1932 is that it’s the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth year, 1732.
So, what’s the importance of the silver coins released in 1916? Is there a centennial or bicentennial celebration they represent? Unfortunately, no. That year the head of the U.S. mint thought there was a law that stated every 25 years a coin had to be redesigned. So, he rushed to get the Barber coins redesigned.
This year the U.S. mint is making gold coins to commemorate the three 1916 coins; the gold Mercury Dime was just released, look for the gold Standing Liberty Quarter and the gold Walking Liberty Half Dollar to come out later in the year.
The Newark Coin Exchange is always buying coin collections. Coin collections from Pataskala and Lancaster are always welcome to stop in, there’s no appointment needed.