History Of Coins

I think that Trade dollars (1873-1885) would qualify as having a quirky history since they have the distinction of being the only coin made by the US Mint not intented for circulation in the US (foreign issues made for foreign govts not included).

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The Standing Liberty quarter has an interesting history in that the first design showed Liberty's bare breast. It has been commonly accepted (though many are sure this is just a rumor) that the morality of the people were outraged at this and that was why the design was changed during the first year of minting.

I would suggest getting a copy of the Breen Enclyclopedia of US coins (you may be able to find it at your library - it's an expensive book). There is a wealth of history on US coins in there.

An old Indian legend, recited at the turn of the last century, was that the three arrows on the Morgan dollar were put there as a tribute to three Indians who assassinated Chief Tecumseh at the Battle of Thames on Oct. 5, 1813.

Chief Tecumseh joined with British forces during the war of 1812 and was a brigadier general with 2,000 warriors under his command. Three Indians with American forces, on the eve of the Battle of the Thames, declared that they would kill Chief Tecumseh the next day or die trying. Chief Tecumseh was killed the next day and so the legend began. Even though eagles clutching three arrows were around before 1812.