Silver Coins of Yesteryear

It's hard to believe that in the 20th Century, these silver coins were the norm, now they are never found in circulation! But if you checked Grandpa's pockets over 50 years ago, you'd find all of them!
The Mercury Silver Dime was struck by the U.S. Mint from 1916 to 1945. The obverse features a portrait of Liberty in a winged cap to represent freedom of thought. However, people thought it showed Mercury, the ancient messenger of the gods who wore wings on his sandals and cap. As a result, the coin became known – mistakenly! – as the Mercury Dime. The reverse shows a Roman fasces (an ax within a group of rods) and an olive branch to symbolize the power of the government to enforce security as well as to pursue peace.
The Walking Liberty Half Dollar was struck by the U.S. Mint from 1916-1947, and each coin was struck in 90% pure silver. The Walking Liberty Silver Half Dollar is considered one of America’s most beautiful coins. The obverse depicts Lady Liberty wrapped in a U.S. flag and walking towards the rising sun. The reverse shows a magnificent eagle with its wings stretched. The Walking Liberty design is so extraordinary that it was brought back by the U.S. Mint in 1986 for the American Eagle Silver Dollar.
The Washington Quarter was first issued in 1932 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. It was designed by sculptor John Flanagan, who won a competition among nearly 100 artists and sculptors, and it was just the second circulating coin to feature a real person (after the Lincoln Penny). The obverse depicts a portrait of Washington. It was based on a bust by Jean Antoine Houdon that was commissioned by Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin and created in 1785 (during Washington’s lifetime). An eagle on the reverse is perched on a bundle of arrows above two olive sprigs. The Washington Quarter was struck in 90% silver from 1932 until 1964, after which date silver was eliminated from the Quarter due to rising bullion prices.
During World War II, nickel was a valuable component in guns, tanks, and airplanes. To help the war effort, the U.S. Mint eliminated nickel from the 5¢ Nickel coins. Instead, it struck the Nickel in a new alloy that includes 35% silver. Made from 1942 until the war ended in 1945, these were “emergency” coins and the first and only Silver Nickels in U.S. history. In order to identify the Silver Nickels from the earlier coins made with nickel, the U.S. Mint moved the mint mark from the obverse to the reverse, above the dome of Monticello. These are the only coins with the mint mark in this position. The obverse is the same portrait of Thomas Jefferson that was used since 1938.
Each silver coin is more than 50 years old and has been out of circulation for generations.