What is a Morgan Silver Dollar and Its History

The Morgan Silver Dollar is a beloved coin among collectors and history buffs alike. It was designed by George T. Morgan, a British engraver, and was first minted in 1878.

The coin was created to comply with the Bland-Allison Act, which required the government to mint a certain amount of silver dollars each year. This act was a response to the growing demand for silver coins.

The Morgan Silver Dollar was minted until 1904, with a total of over 657 million coins produced during that time. It was reintroduced in 1921 and minted until 1945.

The coin's popularity can be attributed to its unique design and the fact that it was made from 90% silver, making it a valuable and sought-after collectible.

Production of the Morgan silver dollar began on March 11, 1878, after a week of preparation. The first acceptable strike was coined at 3:17 p.m. at the Philadelphia Mint.

The Philadelphia Mint was under pressure to meet the monthly quota, so it operated overtime and halted production of other coins. The Western mints, San Francisco and Carson City, were initially delayed due to a lack of proper equipment to prepare the dies.

The dies were eventually sent to the Western mints on April 16, 1878, and the New Orleans Mint began striking the new silver dollars in 1879. The Denver Mint, established in 1906, struck the coins for only one year, in 1921.

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Production of the coins did not commence until March 11, more than a week after the passage of the Bland–Allison Act.

The first acceptable strike was coined at 3:17 p.m. at the Philadelphia Mint, and it was given to President Hayes.

The second and third coins were given to Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman and Mint Director Henry Linderman, respectively.

Pressure was so great at the Philadelphia Mint that it halted production of all other coins and began operating overtime.

The use of the western mints, such as San Francisco and Carson City, was delayed due to a lack of proper equipment to prepare the dies for use.

Dies were eventually sent to the Western mints, arriving in both San Francisco and Carson City on April 16, 1878.

The New Orleans Mint began striking the new silver dollars in 1879, following the Western mints.

The Denver Mint, established in 1906, struck the coins for only one year, in 1921.

The mint marks appearing on the coins are none for Philadelphia, "CC" for Carson City, "S" for San Francisco, "O" for New Orleans, and "D" for Denver.

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The Morgan dollar was produced at four different mints between 1878 and 1904, with the exception of Philadelphia, which has its own distinct mintage figures.

The total mintage of Morgan dollars between 1878 and 1904 is staggering, with over 306 million coins produced. This number includes mintage figures from the Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City, and Denver mints.

The highest mintage year for the Morgan dollar was 1886, with over 40 million coins produced. This was followed closely by 1887, with over 39 million coins produced.

Here's a breakdown of the mintage figures for each mint from 1878 to 1904:

The US Mint has been producing modern Morgan Dollars since 2021. These coins were made to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the transition from the Morgan to Peace dollar.

The 2021 Morgan Dollars were minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, with two-thirds of the Philadelphia-minted dollars containing privy marks for the now-defunct Carson City and New Orleans mints.

Each 2021 Morgan Dollar contained 0.858 troy oz of .999 fine silver with an uncirculated finish and was priced at $85 apiece. The coins sold out on the US Mint website in 45 minutes.

The US Mint originally decided to continue the Morgan and Peace Dollar program in 2022 and beyond, but due to supply chain issues and production capacity, they scrapped the planned 2022 releases.

For 2023, the US Mint announced plans to release Morgan Dollars in three finishes: Uncirculated, Proof, and Reverse Proof. The Uncirculated Morgan Dollar was released on July 13, 2023, and sold out on the first day of issue.

For another approach, see: Peace Silver Dollar

The Morgan silver dollar is a stunning coin with a design that's hard to match. The coin's design was created by British-born George T. Morgan, who was the US Mint Chief Engraver from 1876 to 1925.

Morgan's design features Lady Liberty's profile on the obverse, surrounded by 13 stars and the inscription "E PLURIBUS UNUM." This portrait of Liberty was actually based on a real person, a Philadelphia schoolteacher named Anna Willess Williams.

The coin's reverse side features the heraldic eagle of the Great Seal of the United States, along with the mint mark and the phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST."

The Morgan silver dollar's design is truly a masterpiece. It was crafted by British-born George T. Morgan, the US Mint Chief Engraver from 1876 to 1925.

The coin's obverse features a beautiful portrait of Lady Liberty, surrounded by 13 stars and the inscription "E PLURIBUS UNUM." This iconic image was based on the features of a Philadelphia schoolteacher named Anna Willess Williams.

The design of the Morgan dollar was a great success, and it remains a favorite among collectors today. Its unique combination of realism, intricate design, and historical significance make it a valuable and beautiful addition to any coin collection.

The coin's reverse side boasts the heraldic eagle of the Great Seal of the United States, accompanied by the mint mark and "IN GOD WE TRUST."

The mint mark indicates where the coin was minted. The mark "P" stands for Philadelphia.

You'll also find "S" for San Francisco, "O" for New Orleans, "CC" for Carson City, and "D" for Denver.

For your interest: Mint Mark

The value of a Morgan silver dollar can vary greatly depending on its date, mintage, and condition. There are approximately 100 variations produced, making each one unique.

Some key dates of the Morgan dollar include the 1879-CC, 1884-S, and 1893-S. These dates are particularly notable for their rarity and potential value.

Morgan dollars minted in 1893 and 1895 tend to be the most valuable due to their lower mintage numbers. The 1893-S Morgan dollar is estimated to be worth $550,000 in mint condition, making it the most valuable Morgan dollar in existence today.

Check this out: What Makes a Morgan Silver Dollar Valuable

The value of a dollar can vary greatly depending on its date and condition.

Some key dates of the Morgan dollar include 1879-CC, 1884-S, 1889-CC, 1892-S, 1893-S, 1893-CC, 1894-P, 1895-P, 1895-O, and 1895-S.

There were approximately 100 variations produced of the Morgan dollar.

The Morgan dollar is a highly collectible coin, and its value can be significantly higher than its face value.

A well-preserved 1903-S Morgan dollar can be a valuable addition to any collection.

The rarity and condition of a Morgan dollar can greatly impact its value.

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Morgan dollars are a popular and highly collectible coin among numismatists and coin enthusiasts.

Their unique history, design, and rarity make them a valuable addition to any coin collection.

The most valuable Morgan dollar in existence today is the 1893-S, which is estimated to be worth $550,000 in mint condition.

Morgan dollars minted in 1893 and 1895 tend to be the most valuable due to their lower mintage numbers.

These years are particularly valuable because they have fewer coins in circulation, making each one more scarce and potentially more valuable.

The rarity of certain mint marks, such as the 1893-S, can greatly impact the value of a Morgan dollar.

In mint condition, a 1893-S Morgan dollar can be worth a staggering $550,000.

The top Morgan dollars are highly sought after by collectors, and some of the most popular ones include the 1878 8 Tail Feathers and the 1878 7 Tail Feathers.

These coins are considered rare and valuable due to their low mintage numbers and unique characteristics. The 1878 8 Tail Feathers is particularly prized among collectors, with its distinctive tail feathers design making it stand out from other Morgan dollars.

The 1879-CC and 1889-CC Morgan dollars are also highly valuable, with their "CC" mint marks indicating they were produced at the Carson City Mint. These coins are highly sought after by collectors who are looking to complete their sets.

Explore further: What Is the Value of a 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar

The 1893-S, 1895, and 1892-S Morgan dollars are also highly valuable, with their "S" mint marks indicating they were produced at the San Francisco Mint. These coins are highly prized among collectors for their rarity and historical significance.

The 1901-S, 1899-O, and 1904-O Morgan dollars are also among the most valuable, with their unique mint marks and characteristics making them highly sought after by collectors.

For more insights, see: 1900 O Morgan Silver Dollar Worth

The Morgan silver dollar was produced in large quantities, with over 657 million coins minted across various facilities in the United States.

The production of Morgan dollars was paused in 1904 due to depleted silver reserves from the 1898 Sherman Silver Purchase Act.

Only one year later, in 1921, production resumed, but it was short-lived, lasting just a year.

The Pittman Act led to a high demand for silver dollars, prompting the temporary revival of the Morgan dollar in 1921.

Since then, collectors have continued to buy and collect Morgan silver dollars, making them a sought-after item among numismatists.

Despite being out of circulation for over a century, the Morgan dollar remains a popular choice among collectors, with many still seeking to add one to their collection.

Additional reading: 1921 P Morgan Dollar Value