The 1921 P Morgan dollar coin is a highly sought-after collectible, and its value can vary greatly depending on its condition and rarity. This coin was minted in Philadelphia, making it one of the most common Morgan dollar coins.
In its mint condition, a 1921 P Morgan dollar coin is worth around $25 to $30. However, its value can increase significantly if it's in good condition, with some coins selling for over $1,000.
The 1921 P Morgan dollar coin is made of 90% silver and weighs 26.73 grams. Its diameter is 38.1 millimeters, and it has a thickness of 2.87 millimeters.
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How Much Is It Worth?
The 1921 P Morgan dollar is a common coin, with a mintage of 44,690,000. Most of these coins are worth around $36 in Very Fine condition.
To determine the value of your 1921 P Morgan dollar, you'll need to check its condition. If it's in Extremely Fine condition, you can expect to get around $42. About Uncirculated condition is worth around $52.
The value of your coin can also depend on its grade. Mint State 61 coins are worth around $75, while Mint State 63 coins can bring in $125. Mint State 65 coins are worth around $285, and the Finest Known coin, graded MS67, sold for $19,975.
Here's a breakdown of the values for different grades of 1921 P Morgan dollars:
Keep in mind that these values are for coins in their original condition, with no signs of wear or damage. If your coin has been circulated, its value will be lower.
Coin Characteristics
The 1921 Morgan dollar is a highly collectible coin, and its characteristics play a significant role in determining its value.
The 1921 Morgan dollar is made of 90% silver and 10% copper, which is a common composition for Morgan dollars. This combination gives the coin a distinctive appearance and weight.
One of the most notable characteristics of the 1921 Morgan dollar is its mintage of 86,380,000 coins, which is a relatively high number compared to other Morgan dollars. This high mintage has contributed to the coin's value being more affordable for collectors.
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Coin Mintmark Location
The location of a coin's mintmark can be a crucial detail for collectors and enthusiasts. On both the Morgan silver dollar and Peace silver dollar, the mintmark is found on the reverse.
The mintmark is centered at the bottom of the design on a Morgan dollar, just below the tail feathers of the eagle. This is a key feature to look for when examining a silver dollar.
If your silver dollar has no mintmark, it was likely minted in Philadelphia. This is a useful fact to keep in mind when researching the history of your coin.
Mintmarks on Morgan dollars from Carson City, which stopped production in 1893, can be found in the same location as other Morgan dollars.
What Makes Special?
The 1921 Morgan dollar is the last year for the design, marking the end of the 19th century's U.S. coin designs.
Its mintages at all three U.S. Mint locations were the highest of the series, making it one of the least popular coins in the series due to plentiful supply and a low, flat strike.
The 1895 issue, on the other hand, is the rarest Morgan dollar, with only proofs minted and a total production of just 880 coins.
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History and Production
The 1921 Morgan dollar was produced in limited quantities, with a total of 86,020 coins minted at the Philadelphia Mint.
The 1921 Morgan dollar was minted from 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it a distinctive appearance and value.
The low mintage of the 1921 Morgan dollar contributes to its rarity and higher value among collectors.
Why the U.S. Made
The U.S. made silver dollars in 1921 due to a British silver shortage that jeopardized the Allied side in WWI.
The British government appealed to the U.S. to sell them silver to avoid a potential Indian revolt.
The 1918 Pittman Act forced the U.S. Mint to buy silver at $1 per ounce after the war.
This was necessary to replace the 270 million silver dollars that were melted down.
The U.S. Mint had to buy silver because the silver miners preferred to sell their ore on the open market as long as silver prices were above a dollar.
Once silver prices dropped below a dollar in 1920, the miners clamored for the government to buy their silver.
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Mintages
The 1921 Morgan dollar mintages are staggering, with a total of over 86 million coins struck between the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints.
In fact, the Philadelphia Mint alone produced over 44 million coins, making it one of the highest mintages for a single year.
The Denver Mint produced over 20 million coins, while the San Francisco Mint produced a slightly higher number, over 21 million coins.
Here's a breakdown of the mintages for each issue:
As we can see, the high mintages of the 1921 Morgan dollar made it one of the most common coins of its time, and it remains one of the cheapest Morgan dollars available today.
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100 Years Later
In 2021, the US Mint created new designs for the Morgan dollar and Peace dollar, both made of .999 pure silver, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the last Morgan dollar and the first Peace dollar.
The reception to these new designs was incredibly positive, prompting the Mint to make both designs an annual limited edition series.
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No Morgan or Peace silver dollars were struck in 2022 due to a global silver shortage, which has led to a surge in demand for the 2021 coins and made them a sought-after one-year subtype.
The 2021 coins are now highly sought after, making them a valuable addition to any collection.
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Learn All About
The Morgan Silver Dollar has a rich history, and understanding its production is key to appreciating its value. The coin was first introduced in 1878 and was minted until 1904, with a total of 657 million coins produced during that time.
The Morgan Silver Dollar was reintroduced in 1921, after a 17-year hiatus, due to the Pittman Act of 1918, which promised to replace the 270 million silver dollars melted to support the war effort. The 1921 Morgan Silver Dollar was a new design, marking the first coin design in the U.S. created in response to public demand.
The Morgan Silver Dollar has several key dates that every collector should know, including the 1878, 1889, 1893, 1921, and 1921-S coins. These dates are highly sought after by collectors and can be quite valuable.
Here are the top 5 key dates to know:
- 1878
- 1889
- 1893
- 1921
- 1921-S
Condition and Quality
The condition and quality of your 1921 Morgan silver dollar can greatly impact its value. A coin in "uncirculated" condition, with all original detail remaining and mint luster on the entire surface, is highly valuable.
To determine the condition of your coin, look for signs of wear, such as nicks and abrasions from contact with other coins. These are normal due to the minting and storage process of silver dollars.
The amount of detail remaining on your coin will also affect its value. A coin in "extremely fine" condition, with slight wear and loss of roundness, is still very sharp and crisp.
However, if your coin has been circulated and shows moderate wear, it may be graded as "fine" condition, with Liberty's hair worn and flat spots replacing the original fine lines.
Heavy wear can reduce the design to just a few elements, leaving your coin in "good" condition, with a value tied mostly to bullion silver price.
The mint luster remaining on your coin is also an important factor in determining its value. If the luster remains on the entire surface, including Liberty's chin, neck line, and hair, it's likely to be in "uncirculated" condition.
In contrast, a coin with extensive wear may have lost its mint luster, making it harder to determine its value.
By carefully examining your coin and considering its condition and quality, you can get a better sense of its value and make informed decisions about buying or selling.
For another approach, see: Mint Mark
Sources
- https://www.gainesvillecoins.com/blog/1921-silver-dollar-values-and-mintage
- https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces1492.html
- https://coinappraiser.com/coins/value-of-1921-silver-morgan-dollar/
- https://www.coinstudy.com/1921-morgan-silver-dollar-value.html
- https://cointrackers.com/coins/410/1921-morgan-silver-dollar/
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