Morgan Silver Dollar (1878-1921) Produced for more than 40 years, the Morgan Silver Dollar was in circulation longer than any other. Heralded as boasting the best of all the Silver Dollar designs, the Morgan was an immediate hit with US citizens when it was released back in 1878. Morgan Dollars are one of the most popular of all U.S. They were minted in Philadelphia, Carson City, Denver, and San Francisco. Morgan Dollars were made from 1878 to 1921. 270,232,722 coins were melted under the Pittman Act of 1918 so mintage figures for Morgan. The Morgan Silver Dollar may never have been a 'people's coin,' but it is now one of the most famous and desirable collectible coins in the US. An essential part of any silver holding, the Morgan Silver Dollars offered on this website have a 90% silver content and are delivered raw in 'very good' or better condition. Morgan Silver Dollars (1878-1921) The Birth of America's beautiful Morgan Dollar – Minted from 1878-1904, and once again in 1921, the Morgan silver dollar is one of America's most popular collectible coins. The Morgan dollar was a United States dollar coin minted from 1878 to 1904, in 1921, and in 2021. It was the first standard silver dollar minted since the passage of the Coinage Act of 1873, which ended the free coining of silver and the production of the previous design, the Seated Liberty dollar.
Morgan Dollars are among the most popular of all United States coinage. The series was introduced in 1878 and minted continuously until 1904, and again in 1921. The coins were generally struck in large quantities at a total of five different nationwide Mints. Whereas most issues of the series are readily available, there are some issues with low mintages or which saw heavy circulation. These mintage and condition rarities are highly sought by collectors. Some coins also display proof like qualities or have deep mirror proof like surfaces. These coins often command significant premiums and are the focus of high end collectors.
The silver dollar denomination has long been regarded as the cornerstone of the American monetary system. First minted in 1794 at the Philadelphia Mint, it was among the first silver coins struck under the name of the United States of America. However, before the Morgan Dollar series began, the denomination had often experienced long interruptions in production and often the pieces were virtually nowhere to be found in every day commerce.
The origins of the Morgan Dollar can be traced back to the Mint Act of 1873, which discontinued the Seated Liberty Dollar design. In its place the Trade Dollar was created, but intended for use primarily in trade with the Orient. The supply of silver had increased greatly following the discovery of the Comstock Lode. This increased supply was much too large for the production of Trade Dollars only, causing the silver market to fall into disarray. Direct pressure from the silver mining industry, particularly the western states, led to the creation of the Morgan Dollar.
With the passage of the Bland-Allison Act in 1878, the United States government was required to buy between two and four million ounces worth of silver every month, and convert it into silver dollars. These coins could be exchanged for gold at a fixed ratio of 16:1, meaning that sixteen ounces of silver were need for a single ounce of gold. The silver buying would be done at the current market rate, but the ratio would remain fixed despite fluctuations in the value of both metals. The measure was intended to restore the circulation of silver dollars, but large quantities of the newly minted coins would remain in storage for a very long time.
The new silver dollars featured a design by George T. Morgan, an English-born immigrant. He had had come to the United States in 1876, at the age of thirty-one, following a request by the Treasury Department. In England, he had studied and worked for the Wyon family, best known for their minting of several American colonial coinage issues. When he came to the United States, he was soon hired as assistant engraver of William Barber and started working on a large number of patterns meant for the new silver dollars. The majority of these are half dollars dated 1877, with a head of Liberty in various forms. The final design is said to have been based on Miss Anna W. Williams, a schoolteacher who lived in Philadelphia. Morgan never confirmed this, and it appears that the design was only loosely based on her.
The obverse of the Morgan Dollar depicts Liberty's head, facing left. She wears a Phrygian cap, with the word LIBERTY on her hair band. Various agricultural features are seen, including wheat and oak leaves. Above the portrait is E PLURIBUS UNUM, with each word separated by a single dot. To the left are seven stars and another six are to the right. It must be noted that the stars are flat, thus not showing the radial lines usually found on American coinage. The date is below, and the designers initial, 'M' for Morgan, is on the truncation of the neck.
The Morgan Dollar reverse features a Bald Eagle with wings outstretched with a small wreath surrounding. A branch and three arrows are within the eagle's claws. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is above, and the denomination ONE DOLLAR is below. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds both the wreath and eagle.
Morgan Coins History
The design was slightly modified throughout the years. The first year of issue in 1878, with several varieties related to the number of tail feathers on the eagle. The first issues had a total of eight tail feathers, but this appeared unnatural and was later altered to seven tail feathers. In the process, a number of dies were altered, creating the 7/8 tail feather or doubled tail feather variety. Although this is a variety, it is often collected as a regular issue and included in most sets. The Morgan Dollars struck in 1921 were made from completely different hubs, and show many design differences on both sides.
A complete basic set of Morgan Dollars by date and mint mark consists of 97 coins and represents a major accomplishment to complete in any grade. Some collectors spend decades assembling the series in certified coin holders or coin albums. The series is also often collected by die varieties, usually cataloged by VAM numbers (standing for Van Allen/Mallis, the authors of the main reference on the subject).
Morgan Coin Ring
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Design of Morgan Dollar
The coin is named after its designer, United States Mint Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan. Morgan came to the United States from London to work at the Mint in Philadelphia. Although he was a beautiful engraver, there was not a position available at the Royal Mint in London for the 30-year-old.
Morgan decided to depict an American woman on the obverse, instead of the typical Greek profile that was currently seen on coins. Anna Willess Williams, a young women and teacher in Philadelphia, modeled for the portrait. After sitting for Morgan five times, he declared that her profile was the most perfect that he had ever seen. Referred to as 'Liberty' on the coin, she is portrayed as a goddess, her cap adorned with two stalks of wheat and two cotton blossoms as a nod to America's agricultural heritage.
On the reverse was a depiction of an eagle with its wings outstretched on the reverse. The eagle holds an olive branch - which symbolizes peace - and it perches atop a bundle of arrows, a symbol of war. The idea behind this image is that, although the U.S. is a peace-loving nation, she will always defend her borders against attack.
Morgan Coin Scams
History of Morgan Silver Dollar (pre - 1921) Wsop chips.
The Morgan Silver Dollar, also called the Morgan Dollar, was a United States dollar coin minted from 1878 to 1904, and then again in 1921. It was the first standard silver dollar minted since production of the previous design, the Seated Liberty Dollar, ceased due to the passage of the Coinage Act of 1873, which also ended the free coining of silver.
Morgan Silver Dollars Today
The Morgan Dollar continues to be one of the most popular coins today for a variety of reasons. Although it is not a particularly rare coin, it is crafted with beautiful and intricate detail and offers a rich historic value. In addition, the Morgan Dollar is composed of 90% silver. In fact, collectors can use the coin as currency even now, as the Morgan Dollar's value will never drop below a dollar.
Why Invest in Morgan Silver Dollar Coins?
These are troubled times and silver has historically been the ultimate hedge against economic volatility and crisis. IRA accounts are traditionally dependent upon a select group of stocks, bond and/or mutual funds which are inextricably linked to the economy. And when the economy suffers, the value of many IRA accounts begins to plunge.
Precious Metal, including gold and silver, on the other hand has outperformed the Dow by over 300% over the past decade which begs the question .. why wouldn't you protect a portion of your retirement and secure your accumulated savings by adding Morgan Dollar silver coins? Boeing 777 9 news.
For centuries, investors and collectors have owned physical metal, including the Morgan Silver Dollar coin, for a variety of reasons. Silver is:
Morgan Coin Values Coin Price Guide
- Considered a potential hedge against inflation and an eroding dollar
- Internationally recognized as a monetary and financial asset
- Able to be passed on to future generations of children and grandchildren
- Setting records - some experts believe gold may see new highs in the future
