USA Coinage: 1909 - 1912
under President: William Howard Taft
 
William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857 – March 08, 1930) served as the 27th President of the United States (March 04, 1909 – March 04, 1913) and as the tenth Chief Justice of the United States (July 11, 1921 – February 03, 1930), the only person to have held both offices. Taft was elected president in 1908, the chosen successor of Theodore Roosevelt, but was defeated for re-election by Woodrow Wilson in 1912 after Roosevelt split the Republican vote by running as a third-party candidate. Taft's opponent in the general election of 1908 was William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic nominee for the third time in four presidential elections. In 1921, President Warren G. Harding appointed Taft to be chief justice, a position in which he served until a month before his death.
He served as U.S. solicitor general (1890-1892) and as judge of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (1892-1900). In 1900 he was persuaded by President William McKinley to give up his judgeship to serve as chairman of the second Philippine Commission, charged with organizing civil government in the islands following the Spanish-American War (1898). Having achieved the end of military rule, he became the first civilian governor in 1901 and thereafter concentrated on the economic development of the islands. He served with great distinction and became popular with the Philippine people. He refused to leave the post when offered appointment to the Supreme Court. When, in 1904, he was named secretary of war, he left with the stipulation that he could continue to supervise Philippine affairs.
USA occupied Cuba from September 29, 1906 to January 28, 1909 and Taft was the Provisional Governor of Cuba from September 29, 1906 to October 13, 1906.
After leaving office, Taft returned to Yale as a professor on April 01, 1913 to a rapturous reception. Continuing his political activity and working against war through the League to Enforce Peace. In 1921, President Harding appointed Taft as chief justice, an office he had long sought. Chief Justice Taft was a conservative on business issues, but under him, there were advances in individual rights. In poor health, he resigned in February 03, 1930. After his death the next month at his home in Washington on March 08, 1930, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on March 11, 1930; the first president and first Supreme Court justice to be interred there.
 
Currency: Dollar = 100 cents
Monetary System: Penny = Cent, Trime = 3 Cents, Nickel = 5 Cents, Dime = 10 Cents, Quarter = 25 Cents, Half Dollar = 50, Cents, Dollar = 100 Cents, Quarter Eagle = $2.50 Gold, Stella = $4.00 Gold, Half Eagle = $5.00 Gold, Eagle = $10.00 Gold and Double Eagle = $20.00 Gold.
Mint Marks:
C – Charlotte, N.C., 1838-1861.
CC – Carson City, NV, 1870-1893.
D – Dahlonega, GA, 1838-1861.
D – Denver, CO, 1906-present.
O – New Orleans, LA, 1838-1909.
P – Philadelphia, PA, 1793-present (coins without mintmark also belongs to Philadelphia).
S – San Francisco, CA, 1854-present.
W – West Point, NY, 1984-present.

 
1909
 

KM#132 1 cent. Year: 1909 VDB. Weight: 3.13 g [3.11 g]. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Philadelphia, USA. Obverse: "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto at the top. Right facing profile of President Abraham Lincoln. "LIBERTY" written at the left side horizontally. Date at the chest of Abraham Lincoln. Reverse: "E·PLURIBUS·UNUM" (Latin for "Out of many, one") written at the top. "ONE CENT" written at the upper part and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in two line at the lower part in the center. Wheat ears surrounding lettering on both sides. "V.D.B" written at the bottom. Mintage: 27,995,000 (including Doubled Die Obverse) + 2,618 Proof + 1,194 Matte Proof.  Mintage Years: 1909 VDB, 1909 VDB Doubled Die Obverse, 1909S VDB, 1909, 1909S, 1909S/S S over horizontal S, 1910, 1910S, 1911, 1911D, 1911S, 1912, 1912D, 1912S, 1913, 1913D, 1913S, 1914, 1914D, 1914S, 1915, 1915D, 1915S, 1916, 1916D, 1916S, 1917, 1917 Doubled Die Obverse, 1917D, 1917S, 1918, 1918D, 1918S, 1919, 1919D, 1919S, 1920, 1920D, 1920S, 1921, 1921S, 1922D, 1922D Weak Rev, 1922D Weak D, 1922 No D Die2 Strong Rev, 1922 No D Die3 Weak Rev, 1923, 1923S, 1924, 1924D, 1924S, 1925, 1925D, 1925S, 1926, 1926D, 1926S, 1927, 1927D, 1927S, 1928, 1928D, 1928S Small S, 1928S Large S, 1929, 1929D, 1929S, 1930, 1930D, 1930S, 1931, 1931D, 1931S, 1932, 1932D, 1933, 1933D, 1934, 1934D, 1935, 1935D, 1935S, 1936 (Proof in Satin Finish), 1936 Brilliant Proof, 1936 Doubled Die Obverse, 1936D, 1936S, 1937, 1937D, 1937S, 1938, 1938D, 1938S, 1939, 1939D, 1939S, 1940, 1940D, 1940S, 1941, 1941 Doubled Die Obverse, 1941D, 1941S, 1942, 1942D, 1942S, 1943 Copper planchet error, 1943S Copper planchet error (The 1943 bronze cent is a "Transitional Error" which occurred during the changeover from bronze to steel coated zinc). Engraver: Victor David Brenner (both sides).

One cent coin produced from 1909-1943 as KM#132 have composition Copper 95% and Zinc 5%. while 1944-1958 coins under KM# A132 have composition Copper 95% and Tin 5%. Issues from 1944 to 1946 used brass made from spent wartime shell casings which were composed of 70% copper and 30% zinc. However, alloy resumed to pre-war composition after 1946, under KM# A132 are, bronze composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc.

Note: In January 1909, the Mint engaged Brenner to design a cent depicting the late president Abraham Lincoln, 1909 being the centennial year of his birth. It was the first widely circulating design of a U.S. president on a coin, an idea that had been seen as too monarchical in the past, namely by George Washington. Nevertheless, Brenner's design was eventually approved, and the new coins were issued to great public interest on August 02, 1909. Brenner's initials (VDB), on the reverse at its base, were deemed too prominent once the coins were issued, and were removed within days of the release. The initials were restored, this time smaller, on Lincoln's shoulder (7 o'clock near the edge), in 1918 onwards. Brenner's reverse was replaced in 1959 by a depiction of the Lincoln Memorial designed by Frank Gasparro, for the sesquicentennial of his birth year.

KM#132 1 cent. Year: 1909. Weight: 3.08 g [3.11 g]. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Philadelphia, USA. Obverse: "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto at the top. Right facing profile of President Abraham Lincoln. "LIBERTY" written at the left side horizontally. Date at the chest of Abraham Lincoln. Type: Wthout "V.D.B" at the bottom of Obverse side.
Reverse: "E·PLURIBUS·UNUM" (Latin for "Out of many, one") written at the top. "ONE CENT" written at the upper part and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in two line at the lower part in the center. Wheat ears surrounding lettering on both sides. Mintage: 72,702,618. Mintage Years: [see under 1909 VDB]. Engraver: Victor David Brenner (both sides).
 
1910
 

KM#132 1 cent. Year: 1910. Weight: 3.10 g [3.11 g]. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Philadelphia, USA. Obverse: "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto at the top. Right facing profile of President Abraham Lincoln. "LIBERTY" written at the left side horizontally. Date at the chest of Abraham Lincoln.
Reverse: "E·PLURIBUS·UNUM" (Latin for "Out of many, one") written at the top. "ONE CENT" written at the upper part and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in two line at the lower part in the center. Wheat ears surrounding lettering on both sides. Mintage: 146,801,218 + 4,118 Matte Proof. Mintage Years: [see under 1909 VDB]. Engraver: Victor David Brenner (both sides).

KM#112 5 cents (Nickel). Year: 1910. Weight: 4.88 g [5.00 g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 21.20 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Philadelphia, USA. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left with 13 stars around the head, representing the first 13 colonies/states of the United States of America. Date at the bottom. No mint mark belongs to Philadelphia, USA.

Reverse: Large V in center, representing Roman Numeral 5 with wreath. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written around the wreath. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" written above wreath. "·CENTS·" written at the bottom. Mintage: 30,166,948 + 2,405 Proof. Mintage Years: 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1912D, 1912S and 1913 (only 5 known). Engraver: Charles Edward Barber (both sides).

Note: This coin is commonly known by coin collectors as "Liberty Nickel with word CENTS". The mint mark "D" or "S" in 1912 issue is written below the dot on the left side of the word "CENTS".
 
1911
 

KM#132 1 cent. Year: 1911. Weight: 3.23 g [3.11 g]. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Philadelphia, USA. Obverse: "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto at the top. Right facing profile of President Abraham Lincoln. "LIBERTY" written at the left side horizontally. Date at the chest of Abraham Lincoln.
Reverse: "E·PLURIBUS·UNUM" (Latin for "Out of many, one") written at the top. "ONE CENT" written at the upper part and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in two line at the lower part in the center. Wheat ears surrounding lettering on both sides. Mintage: 101,177,787 + 1,725 Matte Proof. Mintage Years: [see under 1909 VDB]. Engraver: Victor David Brenner (both sides).

KM#112 5 cents (Nickel). Year: 1911. Weight: 4.78 g [5.00 g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 21.20 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Philadelphia, USA. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left with 13 stars around the head, representing the first 13 colonies/states of the United States of America. Date at the bottom. No mint mark belongs to Philadelphia, USA.

Reverse: Large V in center, representing Roman Numeral 5 with wreath. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written around the wreath. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" written above wreath. "·CENTS·" written at the bottom. Mintage: 39,557,639 + 1,733 Proof. Mintage Years: 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1912D, 1912S and 1913 (only 5 known). Engraver: Charles Edward Barber (both sides).

Note: This coin is commonly known by coin collectors as "Liberty Nickel with word CENTS". The mint mark "D" or "S" in 1912 issue is written below the dot on the left side of the word "CENTS".
 
1912
 

KM#132 1 cent. Year: 1912. Weight: 3.09 g [3.11 g]. Metal: Bronze. Diameter: 19.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Philadelphia, USA. Obverse: "IN GOD WE TRUST" motto at the top. Right facing profile of President Abraham Lincoln. "LIBERTY" written at the left side horizontally. Date at the chest of Abraham Lincoln.
Reverse: "E·PLURIBUS·UNUM" (Latin for "Out of many, one") written at the top. "ONE CENT" written at the upper part and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in two line at the lower part in the center. Wheat ears surrounding lettering on both sides. Mintage: 68,153,060 + 2,172 Matte Proof. Mintage Years: [see under 1909 VDB]. Engraver: Victor David Brenner (both sides).

KM#112 5 cents (Nickel). Year: 1912. Weight: 4.99 g [5.00 g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 21.20 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Philadelphia, USA. Obverse: Head of Liberty facing left with 13 stars around the head, representing the first 13 colonies/states of the United States of America. Date at the bottom. No mint mark belongs to Philadelphia, USA.

Reverse: Large V in center, representing Roman Numeral 5 with wreath. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written around the wreath. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" written above wreath. "·CENTS·" written at the bottom. Mintage: 26,234,569 + 2,145 Proof. Mintage Years: 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1912D, 1912S and 1913 (only 5 known). Engraver: Charles Edward Barber (both sides).

Note: This coin is commonly known by coin collectors as "Liberty Nickel with word CENTS". The mint mark "D" or "S" in 1912 issue is written below the dot on the left side of the word "CENTS".

KM#116 Half Dollar (50 cents). Year: 1912. Weight: 12.00 g [12.50 g]. Metal: 0.900 Silver. Diameter: 30.60 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Philadelphia, USA. Obverse: "IN GOD WE TRUST" written at the top. Head of Liberty facing right in the center. 6 stars on the left and 7 stars on the right side. Date at the bottom. No mint mark belongs to Philadelphia, USA.

Reverse: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written at the top section. American Seal in the center with Eagle's wings spread having 13 stars above it. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" written on banner passing through eagle's mouth. Eagle's left foot is carrying a stem with 13 leaves and right foot carrying 13 arrows. "· HALF DOLLAR ·" written at the bottom. Mintage: 1,550,700. Mintage Years: 1892, 1892O, 1892O micro "O", 1893, 1893O, 1893S, 1894, 1894O, 1894S, 1895, 1895O, 1895S, 1896, 1896O, 1896S, 1897, 1897O, 1897S, 1898, 1898O, 1898S, 1899, 1899O, 1899S, 1900, 1900O, 1900S, 1901, 1901O, 1901S, 1902, 1902O, 1902S, 1903, 1903O, 1903S, 1904, 1904O, 1904S, 1905, 1905O, 1905S, 1906, 1906D, 1906O, 1906S, 1907, 1907D, 1907O, 1907S, 1908. 1908D, 1908O, 1908S, 1909, 1909O, 1909S, 1910, 1910S, 1911, 1911D, 1911S, 1912, 1912D, 1912S, 1913, 1913D, 1913S, 1914, 1914S, 1915, 1915D and 1915S. Engraver: Charles Edward Barber (both sides).

Note: This coin is commonly known by coin collectors as "Barber Half Dollar". The mint mark "D", "O" or "S" is written below the tail of the Eagle and above "D" in "DOLLAR". 13 stars on each side of the coin, representing the first 13 colonies/states of the United States of America.
 
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