A Chronology of US Coinage 1700-1857

September 4 - First Continental congress convenes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

April 19 - Battles of Lexington and Concord - First battles of the Revolutionary War.

April 19 - In the Continental Congress: "A motion being made and seconded for ascertaining the value of several species of gold, Resolved , That the same be referred to a committee of seven be appointed to examine and ascertain the value of the several species of gold and silver coins , current in these colonies, and the proportions they ought to bear to Spanish milled dollars" Continental Congress resolution makes a committee to establish values for foreign coins.

July 4 - Declaration of Independence

Sept 2 - Committee Report on foreign coin values.

Sept 17 - British Capture Philadelphia

Oct 17 - Battle of Saratoga - A British army commanded by General Burgoyne surrenders to American forces. This is a turning point in the war as it demonatrates that American forces can defeat the British. The French now openly recognize American independence and within a few months will form an alliance with the United States against Great Britain.

Nov 15 - The Articles of Confederation are adopted.

October 19 - Battle of Yorktown - British army under General Cornwallis surrenders his army to an American/French force under command of George Washington. This is the last major battle of the American Revolution. The Treaty of Paris is signed Sept 3, 1783, officially ending the war.

January 15 - Gouverneur Morris proposed a dollar divided into units of 1/1440 of a dollar. Also reported on foreign coins in circulation.

February 21 - Congress approves a government mint.

Dec 12 - Report for establishing a rate of receiving foreign specie.

Thomas Jefferson proposes a monetary system based on a decimal dollar

May - Grand Committee recommends coinage of a $5 gold coin, $1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/10, 1/20 dollar in silver, and 1/100 and 1/200 of a dollar in copper. Recommendations passed into Law on July 6, 1785, but no action is taken.

August 8 - Congress sets a dollar of 375.64 grains fine silver, 11 parts fine, 1 part alloy. Also, gold coins of 22karat purity.

Oct 16 - Mint Ordinance - also specified same dollar - It was never minted.

May 25 - The Constitutional Convention is called to address the problems with the Articles of Confederation.

June 21 - New Hampshire is the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, and it takes effect.

Apr 30 - George Washington is elected the first President under the U.S. Constitution.

July 31 - Values of Foreign gold and silver were established for payment to the US Government.

Nov-Dec - Alexander Hamilton had William Seton, cashier of the Bank of New York, advise on an accurate assay of coins in circulation.

Jan 28 - Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton reported "On the establishment of a Mint"

January 21 - Alexander Hamilton's report to Congress

March 3 - Congressional Resolution to authorize a mint in Philadelphia

April 2 - Coinage Act of 1792,defining denominations for gold, silver, and copper coins.

May 8 - Act passed authorizing purchase of up to 150 tons of copper for cents and half cents

July - First Coins struck at mint in Philadelphia. Approximately 1500 half dimes. George Washington supplied some of the silver for the coins. Dimes were struck shortly later

September 11 - First copper purchased. Six pounds, probably for patterns.

November - The House of Representatives requested an assay of English, Spanish , Portuguese, and French Coins.

Jan 7 - Mint Director D. Rittenhouse reports on foreign coin assay requested in Nov 1792. Results reported on French Louis d'or, double Louis d'or, crown and 1/2 crown, An English guinea, 1/2 crown of William III, and shilling, Portuguese 1/2 johannes, and Spanish dollar.

Feb. 9 - The first law regulating the use of foreign coins as legal tender in the United States is passed. Titled " Act regulating foreign coins and for other purposes", it allows for a 3 year transition after the President declares that sufficient US coinage has been minted, after which the foreign coins will no longer be legal tender. Gold coins of Great Britain, France, Spain and its dominions, and Portugal are included, and silver coins of France and Spain.

June 28 - Law passed reducing the weight of standard gold -> effectively putting US on gold standard

Charlotte NC mint opened

Dahlonega, GA Mint opened

Jan 18 New coinage Standards

Gold discovered in California

$20 Gold , $1 gold

3cent silver

Feb 21 - Law - $3 gold, weight of 50cent -> 5cent silver reduced

End of 1/2 cent and large cent. Small Cent introduced

Legal tender status of foreign coins is revoked.