Reflections on the silver coinage of 1916

The first volume of the “Bowers Series” of numismatic references—the Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars—was published in 2004. As of 2019 that initial volume plus the two dozen that followed it have comprised more than 8,000 pages of information on U.S. copper half cents through gold double eagles, Proof sets, commemorative coins, tokens and medals, and other numismatic collectibles.

Hover to zoom.

Within that impressive lineup, in July 2015 volume 18 added three of the most popular U.S. coins ever minted—the Mercury dime, the Standing Liberty quarter, and the Liberty Walking half dollar.

The popularity of these three coin types has long been on our radar at Whitman Publishing. How could it not be? Collectors have bought thousands of Whitman blue folders and albums to save one coin from every date and mint. We get phone calls and letters asking about the coins and their die varieties, how to grade them, and how much they’re worth. For years we referred our readers to the Guide Book of United States Coins (the hobby’s “Red Book,” which covers every U.S. coin series), to various books that describe grading or that study one or another of the individual coin types, or, for more detailed exploration of die varieties, to the Cherrypickers’ Guide.

With volume 18 of the Bowers Series, collectors have another standard reference—one that brings everything together in a single resource—the Guide Book of Mercury Dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters, and Liberty Walking Half Dollars.

The decision of how to present these coins to the hobby community wasn’t lightly made. Our intent with the Bowers Series is to study the most popular coin types in books that are affordable, logically organized, and valuable to the reader. These goals brought certain questions to the fore. In 2014, we had

  1. no Bowers Series book on dimes,
  2. one on quarter dollars (the Guide Book of Washington and State Quarters), and
  3. one on half dollars (the Guide Book of Franklin and Kennedy Half Dollars).

Would it make sense to create a Guide Book of Mercury and Roosevelt Dimes, covering the last 100 years of that denomination in a single reference?

And what to do with the Standing Liberty quarter? Modern quarters, of 1932 to date, were already accounted for, and we knew we would be covering Barber silver coins (dimes, quarters, and halves) all together in a single upcoming volume. That left the Standing Liberty quarter somewhat orphaned—a relatively short series spread over a span of 15 years, comprising fewer than 40 major date/mintmark varieties, certainly not enough to fill their own 300-page book.

A similar question lingered for half dollars, with the Bowers Series already covering that denomination from the present day back to 1948.

I believe our final decision—to present these three coins together in a single volume—was a sound one. Mercury dimes, Standing Liberty quarters, and Liberty Walking half dollars were all part of the elegant “Renaissance of American Coinage” (as Roger W. Burdette termed it in his award-winning book series), the early-1900s rebirth of great U.S. coin design. All three were workhorses of American commerce in their heyday, which spanned from 1916 into the 1940s, from a world war to a gilded age of progress, then through the depths of an unprecedented economic depression and a second global conflagration.

The motifs of these working-class coins are widely ranked among America’s greatest numismatic designs. They speak to the viewer in a way that the older, grim-faced Barber coins never did, in a way that today’s modern presidential-portrait coinage certainly doesn’t. Their appeal is not just the sentimental feeling they invoke, and it’s not just the vibrancy and action of their designs; it’s a combination of everything about them, their ineffable sense of history as well as their old-fashioned but still very robust physicality. We look at them and we think, This is the United States of America.

If a Grandpa of a certain age had a cigar box or candy dish that he tossed his pocket change into, chances are good it held a few of these silver pieces. Today they are commonly found in inheritances of old coins—perhaps studiously assembled and proudly displayed, perhaps jumbled haphazardly with vintage bus tokens, World War II ration tokens, and other pocket change. To the community of active hobbyists they are solid “collector” coins, sought by thousands of enthusiasts. Casual collectors fill the holes in their blue folders, eagle-eyed specialists seek out the scarcer die varieties, and deep-pocketed aficionados compete to build the finest registry sets.

For all these reasons—the historical connection of the three coins, their representation of an important generation and era, their unique place in the wider world of American numismatics, and their longstanding popularity among coin collectors and the general public—we decided to combine them into a single standalone book for collectors and historians.

Naturally the perfect author for this subject was Q. David Bowers himself, the “Dean of American Numismatics,” after whom the Bowers Series is named. The most widely published numismatic author and researcher of recent generations, Bowers marshals his resources to bring his readers technical, historical, and market-oriented knowledge unavailable in any other single book. The Guide Book of Mercury Dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters, and Liberty Walking Half Dollars is the culmination of more than 60 years of research and study, designed to immerse you in the world of these fascinating coins, make you a smarter and more savvy collector, and prepare you to build the greatest coin collection possible.

A Guide Book of Mercury Dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters, and Liberty Walking Half Dollars

By Q. David Bowers; foreword by Roger W. Burdette

Published on the 4th of July, 2015

ISBN 079484314-X

Perfectbound softcover, 6 x 9 inches

320 pages

Full color

Retail $29.95 U.S.

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  2. Per policy, we do not advise on the value, authenticity, or rarity of readers’ coins and banknotes. For this kind of assistance, you should contact a reputable dealer, preferably one who’s certified by the American Numismatic Association and/or the Professional Numismatists Guild.
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Comments

  1. KEITHSTER says

    I think the only one I have is the dime. But may have to get it out to take a closer look? So Have Fun And Good Look All “>O<"

  2. Andrew Smith says

    My favorite coin…. the Standing Liberty Quarter. Simply beautiful. The original design looks pretty cool too.

  3. cagcrisp says

    Tracking a Two Level price Increase tomorrow for Palladium

    That would put the SO 2018 Proof Palladium @ $1,887.50…

  4. Robert Sidman says

    Only 100K sets? Is Canada selling 100K too?

    Will this rival the mintage of the 2011 25th anniversary 5-coin sets?.

    At 5 per household should sellout in minutes.

  5. CaliSkier says

    @ Zephin: Nice catch on the US/Can set!

    Step right up, Hurry, Hurry! Only $70/oz! Typical price for a Canadian 1oz Coin, with many of their 1oz silver coins, actually selling for more!!!

    The Maple, is unique, however based on Canada’s(collector) coins typically being of much lower mintage, this coin will be readily available on the aftermarket. Personally I’ve developed a case of US Mint burnout! Although the 1oz Mod/Rev PF Eagle, will have a 100,00(potential) mintage, I think I’m over this coin collecting habit of mine??? PASS

    BTW, if the set doesn’t sell out, the US Mint(numismatic) side is in a pickle IMHO! Do they continue down the higher prices, more gimmicks, lower mintages or ???? Hmmmm, ponder….

  6. John Q. Coinage says

    Cali, the price$ are going one way. I have totally kicked any ‘Jones” I had for USM products. Tired of searching ATB rolls & getting 1 W per like every 20…..while Mezak has 1,000’s apparently….

    $70 an oz. WOW, it will NOT sell out…….too high a #., Perhaps 30k wold work…..they don’t take into account the mass exodus from the USM lovely but way OVERPRICED ITEM$…….

    I can get almost 10 ASE for the price of these 2, better profit potential I think, and AG is weak….

  7. cagcrisp says

    Worldwide Weakness…

    The French 10 year bond went Negative today for the FIRST time in History.

    Yesterday it was .107%

    1 Month Ago it was .289%

    1 Year Ago it was .668%

    Today we had 3 of the top 7 world’s Largest economies in Negative Territory for the 10 year.

    Currently Germany -0.318
    Currently Japan -0.129
    Currently France 0.009

  8. cagcrisp says

    Lower and Lower Mintages…Continue…

    19EH 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD UNC 1 OZ 1,467 +1,467

  9. cagcrisp says

    19CA 2019 APOLLO 11 GOLD PROOF 27,626 + 265
    19CB 2019 APOLLO 11 GOLD UNC 11,090 +39
    19CC 2019 APOLLO 11 SILVER PROOF 168,377 +2,243
    19CD 2019 APOLLO 11 SILVER UNC 52,374 +384
    19CE 2019 APOLLO 11 CLAD PROOF 54,117 + 616
    19CF 2019 APOLLO 11 HALF DOLLAR SPECIAL SET 99,965 +35
    19CG 2019 APOLLO 11 CLAD UNC 36,137 +266
    19CH 2019 APOLLO 11 SILVER PROOF 5 OZ 60,611 +220

  10. cagcrisp says

    19CJ 2019 AMERICAN LEGION GOLD PROOF 2,495 +33
    19CK 2019 AMERICAN LEGION GOLD UNC 2,115 +18
    19CL 2019 AMERICAN LEGION SILVER PROOF 28,788 + 301
    19CM 2019 AMERICAN LEGION SILVER UNC 11,290 +101
    19CN 2019 AMERICAN LEGION CLAD PROOF 15,682 +139
    19CP 2019 AMERICAN LEGION CLAD UNC 9,920 +63
    19CQ 2019 AMERICAN LEGION COIN & MEDAL SET 9,354 +294
    19CR 2019 AMERICAN LEGION 3-COIN SET 6,737 + 64

  11. cagcrisp says

    19EA 2019 AM EAGLE SILVER PROOF 1 OZ (W) 283,222 +3,392

    19EB 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 3,082 +111
    19EC 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ 1,000 +34
    19ED 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/4 OZ 1,551 +61
    19EE 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/10 OZ 5,378 +135
    19EF 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET 5,316 +72

    19EG 2019 AM EAGLE SILVER UNC 1 OZ 90,305 +3,503

    19EH 2019 AM EAGLE GOLD UNC 1 OZ 1,467 +1,467

    19EJ 2019 AM EAGLE PLATINUM PROOF 1 OZ 8,664 + 66

    19EL 2019 AM BUFFALO GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 9,907 +217

  12. cagcrisp says

    18EA 2018 AM EAGLE SILVER PROOF 1 OZ (W) 348,272 +97

    18EB 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 7,099 + 19
    18ED 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/4 OZ 4,623 –
    18EE 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/10 OZ 14,009 –
    18EF 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET 7,989 +4
    18EG 2018 AM EAGLE SILVER UNC 1 OZ 138,934 + 3
    18EH 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD UNC 1 OZ 8,327 29
    18EJ 2018 AM EAGLE PLATINUM PROOF 1 OZ 13,332 +19
    18EL 2018 AM BUFFALO GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 15,756 –

  13. cagcrisp says

    18AK 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – APOSTLE ISL 16,802 –
    18AL 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – VOYAGEURS 16,837 –
    18AM 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – CMBRLND ISL 16,008 + 14
    18AN 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – BLOCK ISL 15,581 +18
    19AJ 2019 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – LOWELL NTL PARK 14,225 + 44
    19AK 2019 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – AM MEM PARK 13,316 +68
    19AL 2019 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – WAR IN THE PACIFIC 12,925 + 915

  14. cagcrisp says

    17XA 2017 AM LIBERTY 24K GOLD 1 OZ 30,493 +17

    18XF 2018 AM LIBERTY 24K GOLD 1/10 OZ 28,323 + 39

  15. cagcrisp says

    Just How Dismal are Sales of the American Gold Eagle Uncirculated?

    Launch Week Only:

    2019 = 1,467 (2nd Year the Mint Tried the Gimmick of Limiting Mintage to 10,000)
    2018 = 4,149 (The Mint Tried the Gimmick of Limiting Mintage to 10,000 for the FIRST time)
    2017 = 1,881
    2016 = 2,968
    2015 = 2,157
    2014 = 1,844
    2013 = 2,700

    …SO…2019 with a Mintage of 10,000 is 20.4% Lower than Any Launch Week in the past 6 years…

    Gimmick Worked in 2018.

    Gimmick Did Not work in 2019…

  16. Larry says

    @ Hildago, the Apollo Anniversary Half Set had an Enhanced Reverse Proof Kennedy Half.

  17. CaliSkier says

    @ Hidalgo, Larry and others curious about Enhanced Reverse Proof finishes?

    Here’s a read from Paul Gilkes.

    https://www.coinworld.com/news/precious-metals/us-mint-treatments-in-reverse-proof-set-coin-dies.html

    With the use of laser frosting technology the Mint can vary, ever so slightly the different finishes used throughout the field and devices. Polished, lightly frosted, heavy frosting, etc. The laser frosting as been used on a few commemoratives, NA dollar, ASE, APE, others as well.

  18. Qui Transtulit Sustinet says

    A Pucky Tale, Pasted From The Mint, just like many MNB “stories”:

    Face Off: Vulcanized Rubber vs .999 Fine Silver
    Which weighs more . . . an America the Beautiful Uncirculated Five Ounce Silver Coin™, or a hockey puck?

    The answer is closer than you might think:
    America the Beautiful Uncirculated Five Ounce Silver Coin: 5.0 ounces (duh)
    Hockey Puck: 5.5 to 6.0 ounces

    Which is bigger? Trick question: they both measure three inches in diameter.

    Thickness is another matter. A hockey puck is one-inch thick, while the silver coin is only 0.128 inch. It would take nearly eight stacked silver coins to match the thickness of the hockey puck

    At roughly two pounds and seven ounces, that would make for one powerful slap shot! A typical hockey game uses 12 pucks. At the price of today’s silver uncirculated coin, it would cost about $1,210 per puck, or $14,520 per game.

  19. cagcrisp says

    There Will be a Two tier price Increase for Palladium this afternoon.

    Nothing for Gold or Platinum.

    Still do Not think we will see a Reverse Proof Palladium this year.

    I would Not think the Mint would be willing to pay the price for the “lease” on Palladium…

  20. Buzz Killington says

    I am conflicted about whether to keep my AGE Burnished Gold set going. I hate the premium, but can I justify it if I’m only getting that and MAYBE the Pd issue this year?

    On the other hand, this set has to stop sometime, why not now?

  21. cagcrisp says

    Also…

    I do Not think we will get ANY of the 2019 “TBD” American Innovations coins.

    There Are 21 2019 American Innovation coins listed as TBD

    There Were 21 2019 American Innovation coins listed at the first of the year as TBD

    …SO…Half the year has gone and as yet Not Any 2019 American Innovation coins

    I Think the 2018 Reverse Proof American Innovation coin (Never listed on 2019 schedule) is All we will get in 2019

    Reading the Law, Not issuing any 2019 coins in 2019 would Not be a problem as long as we get a 2018 Reverse Proof American Innovation coin Issued in 2019…

  22. cagcrisp says

    Gold hits All Time High in Australian dollars…

    ” A continued plunge in global bond yields, with US 10 year bond yields now sitting at just above 2%. Since late 2018, the market value of debt trading with a negative yield has almost doubled and currently sits at approximately USD 12 trillion, according to a 17 June article published in The Financial Times. “

  23. Collector 10538 says

    cagcrisp says “There Were 21 2019 American Innovation coins listed at the first of the year as TBD”

    There was an Unc set in that lineup that they removed not all that long ago. That was the only item I would have had any interest in.

  24. mattarch says

    I will be purchasing the 2019 Native American Coin & Currency set. I have the previous ones and the $15.95 price is reasonable. I enjoy the sets.

  25. John Q. Coinage says

    Wow, gold actually popped from the Iran Hormuz “incident” that spot has been the potential spark for a war since the 1970’s & the talk of $1k AG back then…..but now it seems Trump is lowering the rhetoric, for NOW…..

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