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Morgan Silver Dollar

A Legend of the Old West

The Morgan silver dollar, a heavyweight in U.S. coinage history, holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts. Designed by George T. Morgan in 1878, it was minted to bring the vast quantities of silver extracted from the Comstock Lode into circulation.

The obverse features Lady Liberty's head, encircled by the year of issue and thirteen stars representing the original colonies. Inscribed above her is "E PLURIBUS UNUM," the first official U.S. motto signifying unity from diversity.

The reverse showcases a powerful bald eagle, wings outstretched, perched on a branch adorned with arrows and partially surrounded by a wreath. "In God We Trust" is inscribed above the eagle, and the rim proudly displays "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "ONE DOLLAR," separated by stars. Morgan, drawing inspiration from his studies at the British Royal Mint, subtly incorporated his initials ("M") as a signature on both sides of the coin. Interestingly, he implemented slight design changes when the Morgan dollar was reintroduced in 1921.

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Details

Silver Content – 0.77344 oz.
Gross Weight – 26.73 g
Composition – 90% silver, 10% copper
Coin Diameter – 38.1 mm
Thickness – 3.1 mm
Mint Dates – 1878-1904, 1921

Minting

The Morgan silver dollar stands as the largest and heaviest silver coin produced in the U.S. since the Civil War, containing a hefty 0.77344 ounces of pure silver. Minting began in 1878 and continued until 1904, when the government's silver reserves dwindled. The passage of the Pittman Act in 1918 saw a brief resurgence, with over 270 million silver dollars recalled for melting and reminting. However, 1921 marked the final year of the Morgan dollar's reign, paving the way for the Peace Dollar.

Despite its relatively short circulation period, the Morgan silver dollar has become a beloved collectible, its historical significance and classic design capturing the spirit of the Old West.