1785 - U.S. Congress passed a resolution to designate the dollar as the monetary unit of the new nation.

1786 - The U.S. Treasury Board proposed several denominations, based on multiples and/or fractions of the dollar, including the Eagle ($10), Half Eagle ($5), silver dollar half dollar, half dollar, double dime, dime cent and mill (1/10 cent).

1790 - Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton was requested by the House to present a report on the establishment of a national mint, which he did the following January, 1791, recommending its establishment in Philadelphia.

1791 - In the fall the U.S. Senate appointed a committee chaired by Robert Morris which led to the Coinage Bill, introduced in December 1791, which suggested President Washington’s likeness on the coins. The House and George Washington himself nixed the idea as “monarchical” Thus, “an impression emblematic of Liberty” and an eagle on the reverse of the gold and silver coins, and “united States of America” on the copper ones proved to be the winning compromise of both the House and the Senate.

1792 - Many of Alexander Hamilton’ recommendations had been incorporated into the Mint Act of April 2, 1792. He rejected the use of the “pound” as the unit of measure in favor of the decimal system advocated coinage of both gold and silver, as copper for portions of the basic dollar unit also giving names to the different denominations and suggested some general design ideas.

1792 - President George Washington appointed David Rittenhouse as the first Director of the Mint in April, 1792.

1792 - Construction of the first U.S. Mint building began in Philadelphia in the summer of 1792. The first coinage presses (ordered from England) arrived at the Mint in 1792. The first coins (silver half dismes) were produced in the months that followed, but not from the Mint building which was still under construction - apparently being made at the coin press storage place. The silver for the first coins was furnished by President Washington.

1792 - In mid-December the first coiner of the Mint, Henry Voigt, recorded in his account book, “struck off a few pieces of copper coins”.

1792 - The following day (December 18, 1792) Thomas Jefferson sent a letter to President Washington describing their progress in coining, enclosing some varieties of sample coins for him and the Committee of Congress to examine in detail. Thus, the range of U.S. Mint issues began, and continue with successive changes to this day.

1792 - The silver-center cent (Judd-1) featured the pattern of Liberty facing right with flowing hair and the reverse a laurel wreath. The copper pattern had a silver plug worth 3/4 cent in the center of the copper coin, worth 1/4 cent.

1792 - Other patterns tried in 1792 were the copper Birch Cent with and without edge lettering, the half disme in silver with reeded edge, disme in silver and copper and the quarter dollar.

1793 - Beginning in 1793 with the cents and half cents, 180 degree die alignment was introduced and was quickly adopted as the normal standard before the first chain cents were produced.

1794 - Patterns for the half disme and silver dollar were prepared.

1795 - Gold Eagle: first issued in 1795 and discontinued in 1933 was designed by Robert Scot and had a small reverse eagle. It was also used in 1796 & 1797.

1795 - Gold Half Eagle: Heraldic eagle reverse, also used in 1797 & 1798 and then from 1799 to 1807.

1795 - was first issued in 1795 and discontinued in 1889. The small eagle revere, used through 1798, designed by Robert Scot. Large eagle reverses were also employed during this period.

1796 - The dime, quarter dollar and gold quarter eagles were first issued, while no new patterns were forthcoming. In 1796 the gold quarter eagle was issued with the obverse without stars (only year of this type) designed by Robert Scot. Sixteen stars were added to the obverse. The quarter eagle was first issued in 1796 and discontinued in 1929.

1797 - Gold Eagle: Heraldic eagle reverse, used through 1804. In 1798 there were two die varieties, one with four stars facing, and the other with six stars facing. No eagles were minted in 1802.

1797-1799 - Regular die trials of the Half Eagle and Eagle were struck in 1797; a uniface trial of the heraldic eagle reverse was also struck.

1799-1801 - Gold Quarter Eagle: No Quarter Eagles minted.

1800 - The Heraldic Eagle appears on the half dime and the design of the half cent is changed.

1801 - The Heraldic Eagle appears on the half dollar.

1802 - The position of LIBERTY on the gold quarter eagle is moved to the right of Liberty’s cap and the stars are five facing and 8 behind the head. 1802 over 1 - Gold quarter eagle: thirteen stars, five facing, LIBERTY is moved right, used though 1807 except 1803 when none were struck and 1805 when a six star facing variety was minted.

1804 - The quarter dollar (not issued since 1796) was reissued with a change to the Heraldic Eagle reverse. Patterns were also struck for the large cent (Judd-28) for the half eagle in different metals and for the eagle in gold and silver.

1804 - Actually issued in 1834 for inclusion in diplomatic presentation sets, a gold 1804 eagle (plain 4 variety) carries this date to help make up the “complete set” for the King of Siam requested the Department of State of those denominations authorized by the Mint Act of 1792. A few in silver (Judd-34) (reeded and Plain edge) still exist.

1805 - 1837 - No gold eagles were minted.

1807 - The half dollar and half eagle obverse designs were changed to a Turban Head Liberty (designed by John Reich).

1807 - Gold half eagle now Liberty head left in a round cap is introduced. Motto on reverse, designed by John Reich.

1808 - A new liberty head was used on the cent and quarter eagle. A pattern in silver was made with the regular obverse die of the 1808 half eagle and the reverse die of the previous type. A new gold quarter eagle was introduced with a round cap (only year of this type), which was also designed by John Reich.

1809 - A new liberty head was used on the half cent and the dime.

1809 - 1820 - Gold quarter eagle: No quarter eagles minted.

1813 - A new type of Half Eagle was introduced with the head larger and the bust undraped. This larger type was used through 1829 with the exception of 1816 & 1817.

1814 - Platinum pattern varieties of the half dollar were tried.

1815 - A new quarter dollar was introduced with Liberty facing left with a draped bust.

1816 - A new design for the obverse of the cent showed Liberty with coronet.

1821 - The quarter eagle was reduced in size (the weight stayed the same) and featured an undraped bust of Liberty - used until 1834. It was used through 1827 with none minted in 1822.

1822 - Three pieces of a uniface copper half dollar were struck.

1828 - The size of the dime was reduces; the newer variety was used until 1837.

1828 - No quarter eagles were minted.

1829 - the half dime, not minted since 1805, began to be reissued with a Liberty Head in a round cap, the half eagle was reduced in size while the weight stayed the same.

1829 - William Kneass resigned the half eagle, the type which was used through 1834. The gold quarter eagle has a new style introduced with motto on reverse, used through 1834 also designed by William Kneass.

1831 - The quarter dollar was reduced in size, continuing like this until 1838. Also regular trial pieces from the dies used for the proof quarter eagles were struck in silver.

1834 - A new type for both the quarter eagle and half eagle were designed, removing the motto from the reverse and a coronet ribbon inscribed LIBERTY replaces the cap. The gold half eagle with no motto on the reverse and a different Liberty head was designed by William Kneass. This type was used though 1838. The gold quarter eagle also had a new style with no motto on reverse and the new style Liberty head and this type was used through 1839.

1836 - A new steam press was put into service at the Mint. New designs for the Silver Dollar and Half Dollar and a new cent were all introduced. Patters minted include a billion and white met two cents, silver dollar and a gold dollar.

1837 - The liberty seated design without stars was first used on the half dime and dime.

1838 - 1839 - The Liberty seated design with stars is introduced on the half dime, dime and quarter dollar. The half dollar shows a volant eagle in a new style, the first major revision since 1804. As a result of the Act of 1837, a number of new patterns for half dollars and dollars were introduced and designed by Christian Gobrecht The gold eagle was reduced in size and was also designed by Gobrecht and was also used in 1839. The Liberty seated design of Gobrect was adopted for the half dollar obverse, half eagle which has a smaller eagle, this type was used through 1841.

1840 - A newly designed half cent is introduced, the silver dollar reappears (first minted since 1804) and the quarter dollar obverse now includes drapery from the elbow of the seated Liberty. New gold quarter eagles and gold eagles designs are also accomplished as patterns.

1840 - Gold eagle: A slight change in the head and smaller letter; this type was used through 1866. Gold quarter eagle: A new smaller head design, larger eagle, this type used through 1907. This type was designed by Christian Gobrect. In 1848, there was a variation on which CAL was punched by the mint. (The rest of the design was the same). This was done to indicate that the fold was brought from California mines.

1842 - Gold eagles with a similar design but has a larger eagle. Used until 1866.

1843 - Half eagles are reduced in size.

1844 - A beaded cord that ties the hair on the cent was added.

1846 - Specimen sets were minted in proof condition for presentation.

1849 - Gold dollars were first introduced designed by Longacre with the open and closed wreath varieties, minted until 1889. The three cent silver (trime) was first proposed and number of double eagle patterns were produced.

1850 - Double eagles were introduced; patterns were prepared for the cent, the trim and double eagle. The double eagle was first introduced and discontinued in 1933. It had a design with Liberty on the obverse and the reverse had no motto, a style that was used through 1866, designed by J.B. Longacre. The Paquet design only appears in 1861.

1851 - The three cent silver (trime) was issued for the first time. The cent and double eagle patterns were tried.

1852 - More patterns for perforated gold dollar coins emerged (silver coins were fast disappearing from circulation because they contained more in silver bullion value than their face value).

1853 - Arrows are placed at either side of the dates of the quarter and half dollars to indicate their reduced weight.

1854 - The rays on the reverse of the quarter dollar were removed, the trime’s obverse star has triple lines bordering it. Other patterns for cents were prepared. The gold dollar was restyled to be larger and thinner and a three dollar gold piece was introduced. The gold dollar is now larger and has a feather headdress. This type was used in 1855 and at San Francisco in 1856. Gold three dollars was minted in one type only and were continued through 1889 when the series was discontinued. It was designed by J.B. Longacre and the DOLLARS on this issue of 1854 are smaller than on any of the other years. 1855 - Two more cent patterns were produced with a flying eagle on the obverse and a thick/thin wreath design on the reverse.

1856 - Third type of gold dollar was issued with Indian headdress on a larger head. Additional cent and half cent patterns were struck. A larger head was added to the Gold dollar creating the type III dollar. It was continued until 1889.

1857 - The smaller copper-nickel flying eagle cent replaced the large cent. Patterns were struck for the cent, quarter dollar, quarter eagle and double eagle.

1858 - A number of pattern cents were developed including obverses of Flying Eagle and Indian Head, (muled) with several reverse wreath designs.

1859 - A third trime variety with two border lines on the star was issued. The cent of 1859 was produced as a proof. The combined wreath reverse (corn, cotton, sugar cane, oak leaves & wheat) was introduced. Dies for the quarter and half dollar and double eagle were made.

1860 - The copper-nickel cent reverse was changed to an oak wreath with shield. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA replaced the stars on the dime and half dime.

1861 - Discussion about recognition of divine providence leading our country on our coinage; experiments to counter the alteration of coinage. Gold double eagles had a reverse design for this year only by Anthony C. Paquet.

1862 - Half dollar and eagle patterns show “GOD OUR TRUST” on a reverse scroll or plain field. 1863 - Hoarding of coins during the Civil War had brought new problems to coin circulation, along with the introduction of paper Postage Currency (fractional currency). Thus there were pattern proposals for a new three-cent piece and changes from the copper-nickel cent to bronze and a two-cent piece as well as a dime, quarter dollar, half dollar, silver dollar and eagle patterns were minted.

1864 - The cent was first issued in bronze and a new two-cent piece appeared bearing the first use of the motto: "IN GOD WE TRUST".

1865 - The three-cent piece in nickel was issued (continuing through 1889), two cent, three cent and five cent patterns were prepared.

1866 - The act of 1866 prohibited further use of the fractional currency in denominations under a dime and authorized a nickel five cent piece, which featured stars and rays on the reverse. A number of five cent patterns were produced. The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” was added to the reverse of the quarter, half and silver dollars and also the half eagle, eagle and double eagle.

1867 - The five cent reverse had its rays removed. Consideration was given to eliminating the nickel series, substituting aluminum, but was never adopted. An international monetary convention in Paris agreed on the French franc as a fixed international exchange value.

1868 - Paquet designed a pattern reflecting the adjusted weight of the U.S. $5.00 gold piece to equal a value of 25 francs and the reverse reflected “5 DOLLARS 25 FRANCS” as did France and Austria. The plan was dropped however when Congress did not approve the legislation. A number of other patterns were designed, including cent, three cents, five cents, dime, half eagle and eagle.

1869 - A smaller, lighter standard silver series of patterns were produced, with the intent of replacing the fractional currency altogether, while also preventing hoarding or exportation of our silver coinage. They were produced in sets and sold at the mint.

1870 - The word “STANDARD” appeared on the reverse of the silver coins from half dime to dollar, with a number of muling combinations happening.

1871 - While the trade between the U.S. and the Orient had increased, the silver peso of Mexico was the favored coin of trade. Thus the California Legislature (representing the western trade organizations) requested authorization of a silver coinage of the exact value of the Mexican peso, 420 grains, 900 fine. Thus pattern commercial trade dollars were struck in 1871 and the trade dollar issued in 1873. 

1872 - William Barber designed several sets of patterns, one set used for all gold denominations. He also designed the popular Amazonian them for the quarter, half dollar and silver dollar. The trade dollar pattern was introduced and the commercial dollar is repeated.

1873 - Silver trade dollar was first issued in 1873 and discontinued in 1885. On the obverse the design is Liberty seated. Designed by William Barber there was only one type although some of the later dates vary ever so slightly.

1874 - Two twenty cent pattern pieces were prepared to alleviate the shortage of five cent pieces in making correct change. An international ten dollar piece was also patterned, but the effort to have it issued failed in Congress.

1875 - The Coinage Act of 1875 authorized the coinage of twenty cent pieces. Preparatory to this passage, several varieties of patterns for the twenty cent piece were struck, as well as silver dollars, trade dollars, half eagles and eagles.

1876 - The centennial year of American Independence, several patterns were struck for the silver dollar, commercial and trade dollar and double eagle.

1877 - the double eagle reverse changed from “TWENTY D.” to “TWENTY DOLLARS”. a number of patterns were also struck, including dime, quarter dollar, half dollar, silver dollar, eagle and double eagle. The gold double eagle was designed by William Barber and used until 1907. 1878 - The resumption of coinage of silver dollars came with the Bland-Allison Act inspired several different patterns (by both Morgan and Barber, with Morgan’s winning out) for the silver dollar. A goloid (16/1 ration of silver/gold) dollar pattern was tried, though no adopted.

1879 - Several new patterns for the silver dollar were produced, the $4 stella was also a proposed pattern, the thought being to produce a coin approximating the values of other foreign countries, though never approved.

1880 - Similar patterns to those of 1879 were produced in sets of silver dollar, goloid dollars and the stella.

1881 - Patterns for a one, three and five cent piece all were designed by Barber.

1882 - More designs by Barber for a new five cent piece were patterned including the “blind man’s” nickel with bars on the edge. Morgan created a good design for the dollar, half dollar and a quarter dollar.

1883 - Another round of five cent patterns were produced.

1884 - Perforated cent and five cent dies were prepared as patterns.

1885 - Other perforated patterns were tried; mint superintendent Col. Snowden had a silver dollar pattern made with E PLURIBUS UNUM in raised letters on the edge.

1891 - Patterns with the Barber design were prepared for the dime, quarter and half dollar as well as several other designs.

1892 - The Barber design was issued on the dime, quarter dollar and half dollar.

1896 - A number of different metals were tried on the patterns for the one cent and five cent.

1906 - A uniface Barber double eagle trial piece was struck in copper and gilted, a unique pattern piece was struck in gold.

1907 - President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned noted sculptor Augustus St. Gaudens to prepare new designs for the eagle and double eagle. Roosevelt wanted no mention of God on the coins. Gold double eagles were struck with torch and olive branch in high relief, date in Roman numerals. Only year of this type. The double eagle was also designed in low relief, date in Arabic numerals. The motto has been omitted, this type was also used in 1908. The Indian head eagle was minted until 1908 designed by St. Gaudens.

1908 - The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST’ was restored to the eagle and double eagle, Bela Pratt designed a new quarter eagle and half eagle. This type with 46 obverse stars was used through 1911. The gold eagle also had the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST’ added to the reverse, this type was used through 1933 when minting of all U.S. gold coins was discontinued. (No eagles were minted in 1917, 1918, 1921-25, 1927-29 and 1931. The gold half eagle with the Indian head was used through 1929 when the series was discontinued. No half eagles were coined between 1917 an 1928, designed by Bela Lyon Pratt. The gold quarter eagle, Indian head type was introduced, a design by Bela Lyon Pratt and used though 1929, when the series was discontinued. No quarter eagles were minted between 1917 & 1924.

1909 - Victor D. Brenner was responsible for the new design on the of Lincoln’s bust to commemorate the centennial anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. There were also a number of pattern five cent pieces struck in 1909-1910, most bearing a bust of George Washington.

1912 - The gold double eagle now has 48 stars on the obverse, in recognition of Arizona and New Mexico being added to the Union in 1912. This type continued through 1933 when the minting of all gold coins was discontinued. Double eagles were not coined in 1917, 1918 or 1919.

1913 - The Indian head nickel was issued designed by J.E. Fraser. Because the “FIVE CENTS” on the reverse wore down so quickly, a variety that countersunk the letters was issued and the mound changed. 1916 -A number of new patterns for the dime, quarter dollar and half dollar were prepared, reflecting the times and the desire for peace. The dime’s “Mercury” design and the Standing Liberty quarter and the Walking Liberty on the half dollar all reflected this new view. 1917 - The reverse of the quarter dollar was altered, moving the flying eagle up and rearranging the stars pattern.

1921 - The silver dollar discontinued in 1904 was reissued in 1921 taking on the new look of a commemorative “peace dollar”, this type which was coined until it was discontinued in 1935.

1925 - The date on the standing liberty quarter dollars was wearing down too rapidly, so new dies were prepared with the date counter sunk, the type which lasted until it was discontinued in 1930.

1932 - The quarter dollar was redesigned and to honor the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington, his bust was put on the obverse.

1933 - The gold double eagle was minted in 1933 with the specimens being reclaimed by the Treasury Department on the grounds that they were not legally released by the mint.

1938 - In a competition for best new design for the five cent piece, Felix Schlag’s design of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and Monticello on the reverse won out.

1942 - In order to conserve nickel for the war effort, a silver composition was substituted in the five cent piece ans so marked by the size and placement of the mint mark above the dome. The letter “P”was first used on a coin for the Philadelphia Mint.

1943 - The critical need for copper in World War II caused it to be removed from use in the cent and zinc-coated steel was briefly used. 

1944 - The new cent was not well received, so bronze pennies were again issued the earlier ones from old shell casings.

1946 - The Roosevelt dime was issued the year after the death of this four term president with the design created by John Sinnock. The former copper nickel composition was returned to the five cent piece.

1948 - The walking liberty half dollar design used since World War I was replaced with a Sinnock design of the Benjamin Franklin obverse and the liberty bell reverse.

1959 - The reverse of the Lincoln cent was resigned from wheat ears to depict the Lincoln Memorial in order to mark the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.

1964 - Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the obverse of the half dollar carried his bust.

1965 - Introduction of clad coinage. There are a few of the silver dimes minted in 1965.

1968 - The mint mark was moved to the obverse of the dime, quarter & half.

1971 - Both President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Apollo 11 first lunar landing by America are remembered on the newly designed dollar with only a slight modification until its discontinuance in 1978.

1976 - Bicentennial coinage to celebrate our country’s 200th anniversary was reflected on the reverses of the Washington quarter dollars, Kennedy half dollars and Eisenhower dollars.

1979 - Susan B. Anthony dollars were introduced lasting only through 1981 honoring this pioneer in women’s rights. The Anthony dollars were reintroduced in 1999.

1999 - Statehood quarters were introduced in 1999 each of these will have a special design honoring each state. Five different designs will be issued each year during the period 1999-2008. The obverse design has been modified slightly to include some of the wording previously used on the reverse.