American Coin Values Silver Dollars Guide

As a collector, I've learned that silver dollars can be a great addition to any coin collection, but their value can vary greatly depending on the type and condition. The most valuable silver dollar coins are often those that are rare or have a unique history, such as the 1804 Draped Bust dollar.

Some of the most valuable silver dollars are the Morgan and Peace dollars, which were minted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These coins are highly sought after by collectors due to their beautiful designs and historical significance. The 1921 Morgan dollar, for example, can be worth upwards of $1,000 in good condition.

The value of a silver dollar also depends on its condition, with coins in higher grades commanding higher prices. A coin in good condition, such as one with minimal wear and tear, can be worth significantly more than one that is heavily worn.

Silver dollars are a great addition to any coin collection, and their values can vary greatly depending on their condition, rarity, and design. The melt value of silver dollars can be worth between $8 and $21, depending on the silver content and the price of silver at the time of sale.

For example, a 90% silver coin can be worth around $21, while a 40% silver coin will be closer to $8. However, many rare silver dollars have numismatic value far beyond their melt price.

If you're considering selling your silver dollar collection, it's essential to understand how to sell them effectively to get the best price. Mint condition silver dollars are among the best values in the silver marketplace today, with certified coins graded by PCGS or NGC.

Some of the most valuable silver dollars include the 1922 Peace Dollar, which sold for $458,250 in 2014 due to its high relief and matte finish. The 1880/79 CC Morgan Silver Dollar is also highly valuable, with a price tag of $6,489.00.

Here are some of the most valuable silver dollars from each design:

Keep in mind that the value of a silver dollar can depend on various factors, such as its condition, rarity, and design. If you own valuable silver dollars, it's best to get them appraised by a professional to determine their worth.

The Morgan dollar, introduced in 1878, was designed by George T. Morgan and features a depiction of Lady Liberty on the obverse side. The coin's design was inspired by the British penny.

The Morgan dollar's design was influenced by the British penny, with Lady Liberty's image on the obverse side. The coin's reverse side features an eagle in flight, surrounded by the words "United States of America."

The Morgan dollar was minted from 1878 to 1904, and again from 1921 to 1925, with a total of over 657 million coins produced.

The Flowing Hair dollar is a rare and valuable coin that was minted from 1794 to 1795. It's worth noting that a 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar sold for $12,000,000 in 2013.

This coin's exceptionally high grade makes it stand out, with none of the other Flowing Hair dollars matching its quality.

The 1795-1803 Draped Bust Dollar is a significant coin in U.S. history. It features Lady Liberty with flowing hair, which has been valued at over $1,000,000 in some cases.

You can identify an off-center Draped Bust Silver Dollar by checking if Lady Liberty's hair curls between two star points on the bottom left-most star. This is a distinctive feature of some of these coins.

The 1795 Draped Bust Dollar has been auctioned for as much as $1,057,500.

The Morgan Silver Dollar, minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, is a coin with a rich history. Its design features a left-facing Lady Liberty on the obverse and a majestic eagle on the reverse.

Each Morgan Dollar contains a significant amount of silver, with .7734 Troy ounces per coin. This is a notable characteristic of the coin, making it highly valued among collectors.

The Morgan Dollar's size is also worth noting, with a diameter of an inch and a half. This makes it a substantial coin that can be a great addition to any collection.

The most valuable Morgan Dollar is the 1893-S, which sold for a staggering $2,086,875 in 2021. This is due in part to its low mintage and the impact of the Pittman Act of 1918, which required millions of silver dollars to be melted down.

One thing to be aware of is that the Morgan Dollar is also one of the most counterfeited U.S. coins, according to the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company). This makes it essential for collectors to verify the authenticity of their coins.

The Peace Dollar design was a result of government officials advocating for a design that reflected the peace after World War I.

The Peace Dollar was only minted for a total of ten years, from 1921 to 1928 and again in 1934-1935.

In 1921, the U.S. Mint was required to strike millions of silver dollars due to the Pittman Act.

The Peace Dollar design features a Goddess of Liberty on the obverse and a bald eagle grasping an olive branch on the reverse.

Each Peace dollar contains .7734 Troy ounces of silver.

The 1921 Peace Dollars were all planned to be made with a high relief, but the dies kept shattering, so they were changed to low relief coins in 1922.

One 1922 Peace Dollar with a matte finish sold for $458,250 in 2014.

The design of dollar coins was changed to the Peace Dollar in 1921 to commemorate the end of World War I.

The Eisenhower Dollar was minted from 1971 to 1978, with some of the most valuable coins being the 1971 San Francisco minted in 90% silver.

These 90% silver dollar coins were only intended for collectors, but some have found their way into circulation.

In 1971, the San Francisco mint produced 90% silver Eisenhower Dollars, making them highly sought after by collectors.

From 1971 to 1974, Eisenhower Dollars contained 40% silver, a significant amount considering the era.

The 1976 Eisenhower dollar is a relatively modern coin, but it's among the rarest and most valuable, with some examples selling for $850,000.

The 1804 dollar coin is an incredibly rare and valuable coin, with most selling for over a million dollars. One of the most expensive ones sold for $7,680,000.

These rare silver dollar coins were originally minted thirty years after the date on the coin states: 1834. They were made with the same head and tail design as the Draped Bust Dollar and were meant as diplomatic gifts.

All of these coins were made until the die face for the coin was defaced in 1869 to stop the minting of these coins. Some believe that some 1804 dollar coins were struck as late as 1876.

In nearly all conditions, these coins are worth serious money, making them a valuable find for collectors.

To determine the value of your American silver dollar, it's essential to identify the coin and its condition. A coin's grade is determined by its surface condition, with collectors striving for coins with minimal wear.

Mint State coins are the top condition, with no wear to the surface and luster remaining from the minting process. Extremely Fine grade coins have a slight amount of wear on high areas, while Fine grade coins have wear removing many small details.

To identify your silver dollar, you'll need to examine its date, variety, and mintmarks. Each series of silver dollars has its own unique characteristics, and some dates are more valuable than others due to their rarity.

The first step in identifying your silver dollar is to recognize the different series of coins. The originals, early Bust dollars, are colonial works of art worth hundreds or more depending on the date.

To narrow down the possibilities, you'll want to examine the coin's design and features. The Seated Liberty Dollar, for example, has extremely low mintages and survival rates, making it a rare find.

The Morgan Dollar is another popular series, worth over $29.37 each due to its high silver content alone. However, rare dates, mintmarks, or better condition coins can significantly increase its value.

Each series has its own unique characteristics, and understanding these differences is crucial for accurate identification. By recognizing the series, you'll be able to start building a picture of your coin's potential value.

The Peace Dollar, although less popular than its predecessors, still has a few rare dates and varieties to look out for. Its value chart and grading images can help you determine its true worth.

To get started, refer to the image links in Step 1 to match your coin to the correct series. This will give you a solid foundation for further evaluation and help you uncover the hidden value in your silver dollar.

Grading a silver dollar's condition is crucial to determine its value. The surface condition of a coin is examined closely to determine the stage of wear.

Mint State coins are those that are still free of wear, with luster from the minting process remaining, and few marks to the surface. A close look at the high points is needed to detect absence of smoothing and loss of luster to the metal.

Extremely Fine grade silver dollars have a slight amount of wear on high areas, just beginning to remove fine lines, such as in hair detail and smooth the fields of the coin.

Fine grade silver dollars have wear removing many small details, but major details remain recognizable.

Good grade silver dollars have heavy wear covering all parts of the design, with major design elements flattened and merging.

The melt value of your silver coins is an important factor in their overall value. This value is determined by the amount of silver in the coin and the current price of silver.

For example, if your dollar silver coin is 40% silver, its melt value will be closer to $8. On the other hand, a 90% silver coin can be worth around $21, depending on the price of silver at the time you sell.

Dollar coins made of fine silver (99.9% silver) are worth around $28, which is significantly higher than coins with lower silver content.

If you have a coin with high potential value, it's worth getting a professional grading service to examine it. They can help you narrow down its value.

A silver dollar above $100 in value is a good candidate for a professional grading service. This is because they can authenticate and grade your coin, giving you a more accurate estimate of its worth.

Many U.S. silver coin values are tied closely to the price of silver. This means that if the price of silver is high, your old coins could be surprisingly valuable.

With today's high value of silver, your old coins are becoming worth many times their face value. This is because they are all heavy with 90% silver.

You can use the Coin Values Discovery tool to find the value of your silver dollar and other old US coins.

The melt value of coins is a crucial factor in determining their worth. The melt value of dollar silver coins can be worth between $8 and $21, depending on the silver content and the price of silver at the time of sale.

If your coin is 40% silver, its melt value will be closer to $8, while 90% silver coins can be worth around $21. The melt value of fine silver dollar coins (99.9% silver) is around $28.

Many people assume the value of silver coins is only in their melt value, but that's not always the case. Rare silver dollars can have a numismatic value far beyond their melt price.

The most valuable coin is the 1933 Double Eagle, which is worth a staggering $18.9 million. It's considered one of the rarest and most valuable coins in the world.

This coin was minted during the Great Depression, but only a few were released into circulation before President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered all gold coins to be recalled. The 1933 Double Eagle is a 22-karat gold coin featuring a portrait of Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

The coin's melt value is approximately $15,000, but its rarity and historical significance make it worth millions. Some of these coins have been sold at auction for record-breaking prices.

One notable example is the 1933 Double Eagle sold at a Sotheby's auction in 2002 for $7.59 million.

The 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar is an extremely rare and valuable coin. Less than 120 of them are believed to exist today.

This coin was the first dollar coin the United States Mint struck. It's a significant piece of history, making it highly sought after by collectors.

A 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar sold for $12,000,000 in 2013, putting this coin at the top of any list of silver dollars worth money. Its exceptionally high grade makes it stand out from other Flowing Hair dollars.

The Flowing Hair Silver Dollar with a silver plug in the middle has drawn the most attention among collectors. This piece is believed to be the first coin struck in the 1794 dollar coin series.

This unique coin was auctioned in 2023 and fetched over $10 million, showcasing its immense value.

The 1893 S Morgan is a highly sought-after coin among collectors. It's considered the "King of the Morgan Dollars Series" due to its exceptional rarity.

This coin was minted in San Francisco, and only 100,000 pieces were produced. The rarity of this coin is further exacerbated by the fact that it's estimated that about 9,000 examples have survived in all grades to date.

The 1893 S Morgan is exceptionally scarce in mint state and gem condition, with an estimated 120 pieces known to exist in mint state MS65 and above. One example graded MS67 is the finest known to date and was sold for $2.1 million in 2021.

The 1893 S Morgan Dollar is also one of the most counterfeited U.S. coins, according to the NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company).

The 1976 Eisenhower dollar is a relatively modern coin, but it's among the rarest and most valuable. Only a few trial proof coins were struck without the S mint mark, and a handful have shown up for sale, with the finest selling for $850,000.

The absence of the S mint mark on the 1976 Eisenhower dollar is due to its production at the Philadelphia Mint, where trial coins were struck before the Mint officially produced the proof coins.

A mint state collection of just three coins, including the 1976 Eisenhower dollar, represents a type set of special coinage, showcasing the designs to their full potential.

Collectors of the 1976 Eisenhower dollar are focused on finding examples without the S mint mark, as these are highly sought after and valuable.

To find the value of your 1976 Eisenhower dollar, match it to the image links in Step 1 and visit the website for in-depth silver dollar values.

The 1976 Eisenhower dollar is a rare find, and its value is determined by its condition, eye appeal, and scarcity, just like any other silver dollar.

The US dollar coin has a rich history that spans over two centuries. The first dollar coin was struck by the US Mint in 1794.

The original silver dollar coin featured a woman's portrait on the obverse, representing the Statute of Liberty, and an eagle on the reverse.

In 1971, the Mint replaced Lady Liberty's image with Dwight Eisenhower's portrait, and the composition of the coin changed from silver to a copper core with a copper and nickel outer layer.

The design of the dollar coin has undergone many changes over the years, with the obverse and reverse designs being altered multiple times.

The US dollar coin has a rich history that spans over two centuries. The first dollar coin was struck by the United States Mint in 1794.

The original design featured a woman's portrait representing the Statue of Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. The design has changed over the years.

In 1971, the Mint stopped producing silver coins and replaced Lady Liberty's image with Dwight Eisenhower's, the 34th president. This change marked a significant shift in the coin's composition as well.

The new dollar coin comprised a copper core and an outer layer of copper and nickel.

The 1796 P Draped Bust Dollar, Small Date, Small Letters is a rare and highly sought-after coin. It's one of the most common varieties of the 1796 one-dollar coin, but finding one in good condition is extremely rare.

Most examples are in poor condition, but a few have surfaced at auction over the years. In 2003, a graded Extremely Fine example was sold for a record $46,000.

The last time a 1796 P Draped Bust Dollar, Small Date, Small Letters came up for auction was in 2020, and it was a real showstopper. It was graded an impressive MS65 and sold for a premium price of $705,000.

This coin is a true gem, and collectors are willing to pay top dollar for it.

The 1795 Off-Center Bust Silver Dollar is a fascinating coin with a unique characteristic. Normally, Lady Liberty's bust portrait is centered in the middle of the coin on the obverse.

In 1795, a die misalignment caused some coins to be struck with the portrait positioned too far to the left and away from the center. This resulted in the coin being named "off-center bust."

Lady Liberty's hair almost touches the bottom star on the left in these coins, leaving a notable distance between the bust and the stars on the right. This distinctive feature makes the off-center bust dollar easy to identify.

The Professional Coin Grading Service has identified a few examples of the 1795 Off-Center Bust Silver Dollar in mint state MS66, one of which sold for $705,000 in a 2020 auction.

The 1803 Proof Restrike is a highly sought-after dollar coin, with only four known examples in existence. These coins were actually struck in the 1850s and 1860s.

The most expensive example was auctioned in 2013 by Heritage for a record-breaking $851,875. This price is a testament to the coin's rarity and value.

Three of the four known examples are graded Proof (PF)66, while the fourth is graded PF65.

The 1796 Small Date Small Eagle is a rare variety of the Draped Bust Silver Dollar. It features a small date on the obverse and larger than normal lettering on the reverse.

The date on this coin is particularly noteworthy, with the 1 in 1796 being much thinner than usual. The top bar of numbers 1 and 7 are also more separated than normal.

On the reverse, the lettering in UNITED STATED OF AMERICA appears larger than on regular coins. As a result, the letters are spread out further toward the coin’s rim.

This rare error coin can fetch a premium even in low-grade circulated condition. An example graded Extremely Fine (XF) can fetch as much as $10,500.

The 1798 Small Eagle, 13 Stars Silver Dollar is a rare and valuable coin. Less than 1,000 examples exist, with most graded Very Fine (VF).

The reverse features a Small Eagle, setting it apart from other 1798 silver one-dollar coins.

Most of the existing examples are graded Very Fine, with Extra Fine examples being scarce.