Morgan Silver Dollar Reverse (1878-1904, 1921)
Coin/Bullion · United States Mint; designed by George T. Morgan, a British engraver who refined the American numismatic style under Mint Director Henry Linderman.
Pattern: Morgan Dollar series; minted from 1878 to 1904, and once more in 1921. It was authorized by the Bland-Allison Act.
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
United States Mint; designed by George T. Morgan, a British engraver who refined the American numismatic style under Mint Director Henry Linderman.
Material
90% Silver, 10% Copper (Coin Silver). Contains approximately 0.77344 troy ounces of pure silver.
Dimensions
Diameter: 38.1 mm; Thickness: 2.4 mm; Standard Weight: 26.73 grams.
Description
The Morgan Dollar is the most iconic silver coin in American history. This reverse side features a majestic bald eagle with wings spread, symbolizing national strength, surrounded by a celebratory wreath. Its large size and high silver content made it a staple of the American West.
Key Features
Eagle with outspread wings, Gothic script motto, 90% silver purity, and the characteristic denticles along the inner rim.
Material & Composition
90% Silver, 10% Copper (Coin Silver). Contains approximately 0.77344 troy ounces of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Die-struck finish with a heraldic eagle reverse. The eagle holds an olive branch and three arrows, surrounded by a laurel wreath. Includes the motto ‘In God We Trust’ in Gothic script.
Hallmarks & Stamps
United States of America; One Dollar; In God We Trust. Note: The mint mark (CC, S, O, or D) would be located below the wreath; if absent, it indicates the Philadelphia Mint.
Construction Details
Die-struck at a United States Mint facility using high-pressure steam or electric presses on planchets (blanks) cut from silver strips.
Functional Features
Reeded edge (milled) to prevent 'clipping' or shaving of the silver from the coin’s edges, a common historical form of fraud.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - This is a circular coin designed for hand-to-hand commerce and circulation.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-struck but from hand-engraved master dies. The high relief of the eagle's wings relative to the field demonstrates the high level of 19th-century die-making expertise.
Authentication Indicators
Weight, diameter, and reeding count are primary indicators. The strike quality on the laurel leaves and the specific font of 'ONE DOLLAR' are consistent with genuine US Mint dies.
Origin & Manufacturing
USA (Philadelphia, San Francisco, New Orleans, Carson City, or Denver). Manufactured using industrial minting standards of the late 19th century.
Era & Period
Gilded Age/Victorian Era into the early 20th Century. It reflects the expansion of the American West and the Comstock Lode silver boom.
Age Estimate
Circa 1878-1921 based on the design type. Specific year is located on the obverse (the face of the coin not shown).
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Wild West' era and American industrial might; it is the cornerstone of 19th-century US numismatics.
Condition Notes
Very Fine (VF) to Extra Fine (XF) circulation wear. Visible smoothing on the eagle's breast feathers and wing tips. Evidence of light scratching and environmental toning. Presence of a rim nick on the right side.
Value Estimate
$30 - $60 for common circulated dates/mints; significantly higher if the obverse reveals a rare date (e.g., 1893-S) or 'CC' mint mark.
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean or polish. Wiping can cause micro-scratches that ruin numismatic value. Store in an archival PVC-free flip or capsule to prevent further oxidation.
Similar Pieces
Peace Silver Dollar (1921-1935), which has a more Art Deco style; Seated Liberty Dollar (1840-1873); and modern Silver American Eagles.
Interesting Facts
Millions of these coins were melted down under the Pittman Act of 1918 to support the British government during WWI, creating the relative rarity of certain dates today.