All About Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Coin

The Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Coin is a highly sought-after collectible. It was first introduced in 1878 and minted until 1904, with a brief revival in 1921.

This coin features a stunning design, with George T. Morgan's portrait of Lady Liberty on the obverse side and a majestic eagle on the reverse side.

The Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Coin is made from 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it a beautiful tone and durability.

The Morgan Silver Dollar is a highly collectible coin that has been a favorite among numismatists and collectors for centuries. It was issued from 1878 through 1904, and again in 1921.

The Morgan Dollar is named after its designer, George T. Morgan, who was a future Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. The coin was struck at five different mints: Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City, and Denver.

One of the most interesting facts about the Morgan Dollar is its association with the American "Old West". This is due to its late 19th, early 20th-century production run and substantial representation among western branch mints.

The Morgan Dollar was also the result of government policy, specifically the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, which required the Federal Government to buy silver from mining interests in the western United States.

The coin's history is also marked by a significant discovery in the 1960s, known as the "GSA Hoard". This hoard of uncirculated Morgan dollars was sold at public auctions during the 1970s, sparking a coin-collecting renaissance in the United States.

A Morgan silver dollar is a beautiful coin, and understanding its specifications can be helpful when collecting or storing them. The coin's composition is 90% silver and 10% copper.

The Morgan dollar has a diameter of 38.1 mm, which is equivalent to 1.5 inches. This size makes it a decent addition to any coin collection.

The thickness of a Morgan dollar is 2.40 mm, or 0.09 inches. This is a relatively thin coin, but still substantial enough to feel substantial in your hand.

The total weight of a Morgan dollar is 26.73 grams, or 0.94 standard ounces. This weight is a good indicator of the coin's value and authenticity.

The edge of a Morgan dollar is reeded, which means it has a textured surface that can be felt when running your fingers along the edge. This texture is a distinctive feature of the coin.

The rim of a Morgan dollar is adorned with denticles, or tooth-like ornamentation. This adds to the coin's aesthetic appeal and makes it a joy to hold and examine.

Here are the key specifications of a Morgan dollar at a glance:

The Morgan silver dollar proof coin has a rich history, and its design and production process is a fascinating topic.

Almost 657 million Morgan dollars were struck for circulation from 1878 to 1921, with five mints involved in the process.

The Philadelphia Mint produced Morgan dollars without a mint mark from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, with the highest circulated mintage issue being 44.69 million in 1921-P.

Here's a brief overview of the mints involved in the production of Morgan dollars:

A proof is a crucial step in the design and production process that involves verifying the accuracy and quality of a design before it goes into production.

It's essentially a quality control measure that ensures the design meets the required specifications and standards.

In the context of product design, a proof is often a physical or digital representation of the design that's reviewed by stakeholders and clients to catch any errors or discrepancies.

A well-made proof can save time and money by preventing costly mistakes down the line.

Proofs can take many forms, including paper proofs, digital proofs, and even 3D prototypes.

A paper proof is a printed version of the design, while a digital proof is a digital representation that can be reviewed and annotated online.

3D prototypes, on the other hand, are physical models of the design that can be used to test and refine the product before production.

George T. Morgan, a British die engraver, designed the Morgan silver dollar after moving to the US to work as the US Mint Assistant Engraver. He took his preparation seriously, studying bald eagles and enrolling at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1876.

Morgan wanted a more realistic, American depiction of Liberty, so he modeled her after Philadelphia teacher and author Anna Willess Williams.

The reverse design of the Morgan dollar is a stunning work of art. It features a bald eagle with outspread wings, holding three arrows and an olive branch.

A laurel wreath tied with a bow almost encircles the eagle, with Morgan's "M" initial appearing sideways on the left bow loop. If present, the location of the Morgan dollar mint mark is below the wreath bow, between the "D" and "O" in "DOLLAR."

In 1878, Philadelphia Morgan dollars were produced with three different versions of the eagle's tail feathers. Here are the details:

The reverse design also underwent changes over the years, with two distinct versions: the Second Reverse / Reverse of '78 and the Third Reverse / Reverse of '79. The Second Reverse features a flat (concave) eagle breast and parallel top arrow feather, while the Third Reverse has a rounded (convex) eagle breast and slanting top arrow feather.

Almost 657 million Morgan dollars were struck for circulation from 1878 to 1921.

The Philadelphia Mint produced Morgan dollars without a mint mark from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921. The Denver Mint produced Morgan dollars with a "D" mint mark in 1921 only. The San Francisco Mint produced Morgan dollars with an "S" mint mark from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921.

The Carson City Mint produced Morgan dollars with a "CC" mint mark from 1878 to 1885, and then from 1889 to 1893. The New Orleans Mint produced Morgan dollars with an "O" mint mark from 1879 to 1904.

The highest circulated mintage issue was the 1921-P, with over 44 million coins produced. In contrast, the lowest circulated mintage issue was the 1893-S, with a mere 100,000 coins produced.

Here's a breakdown of the mints that produced Morgan dollars:

Proof Morgan dollars were minted every year in Philadelphia, with a total of 23,483 coins produced. The highest proof mintage issue was the 1880, with 1,355 coins produced.

The Proof and Debut section of coin production is an exciting part of the numismatic world. The United States Mint will be displaying and selling Proof 2024 Morgan and Peace silver dollars at the Great American Coin and Collectibles Show in Tampa, Florida, from September 11 to 14, 2024.

These coins are the first publicly available Proof 2024 Morgan and Peace silver dollars, and collectors are eagerly anticipating their release. The Mint will have a booth at the show, where attendees can see and buy these coins in person.

You'll be able to purchase individual Proof 2024 Morgan and Peace dollars on September 12, while supplies last. The Mint will also have a special guest at its booth each day, including Bill the Buffalo, a costumed mascot who will hand out youth collector kits and educational materials for children.

Collecting and grading Morgan silver dollar proof coins is a crucial step in determining their resale value. The condition of these coins is just as important as their rarity or historical significance.

Professional third-party services like Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS) or Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) grade the condition of these coins, which is typically given as a grade.

For example, a coin graded by PCGS or NGC might be given an Uncirculated grade, meaning it was never circulated and properly stored, looking like it did the day it was minted.

Collecting and grading coins is a crucial aspect of coin collecting, and it's essential to understand the condition of a coin to determine its value. The condition of a coin is typically given as a grade by a professional third-party service like Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS) or Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC).

The grade of a coin can significantly impact its resale value, especially for historical and popular coins like the Morgan dollar. A coin in excellent condition can fetch a higher price than one with wear and tear.

There are different coin grading systems, but the general grades are widely recognized. These grades include Uncirculated, Mint State, Specimen, Proof, and several others.

Here's a breakdown of the main grades:

The grade of a coin can also be influenced by the presence of certain features, such as the Deep Mirror Prooflike (DMPL), which is particularly well-known on Morgan dollars.

The 1895 $1 Proof Double Eagle is a highly coveted coin among collectors. It's considered the holy grail of Morgan dollars, with only 880 examples known to exist.

The coin features a portrait of Liberty on the obverse, with 7 stars on the left and 6 stars on the right, and the date at the bottom. On the reverse, the heraldic eagle is centered, holding a bunch of arrows and a branch surrounded by olive leaves.

The proof 1895 Morgan dollar is a rare find, with most grading between PR60-64. A decent share of the coins grade PR65 and better, but those grading PR67 or higher are extremely rare.

Here are the key details about the 1895 $1 Proof Double Eagle:

The coin's composition is 90% silver and 10% copper, making it a valuable and highly sought-after collector's item.

Modern Dollar Markings are an interesting aspect of Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Coins. The 2021 Morgan dollar from the Philadelphia Mint had no mint mark.

In 2023, the Mint offered three varieties of Morgan dollars. These varieties included Uncirculated, Proof, and Reverse Proof coins. The Reverse Proof coin was a two-coin set.

The Uncirculated Morgan dollar was struck in Philadelphia with no mint mark, and had a mintage of 273,632. It was priced at $76 per coin.

The Proof Morgan dollar was struck in San Francisco with an "S" mint mark, and had a mintage of 351,135. It was priced at $80 per coin.

Here are the details of the three varieties of Morgan dollars offered in 2023: