What is a Morgan dollar?

Answer 1

A Morgan dollar is a US silver dollar minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. The name comes from George T. Morgan, the coin's designer. The front has a portrait of Miss Liberty that resembles the face Gustave Eiffel later used for the Statue of Liberty. The reverse has a spread-winged eagle holding an olive branch in one claw to symbolize peace and arrows in the other to represent strength. Morgan's design is both highly detailed and sharply executed, making the Morgan dollar among the most beautiful and popular of American coins.

The mint mark position on all Morgan dollars is on the reverse side, above the letters DO in DOLLAR. Possible mint marks are:

• None (also "blank" or "plain") - Philadelphia
• S - San Francisco
• O - New Orleans
• CC - Carson City
• D - Denver (1921 only)

Common dates such as 1921 are available to collectors at reasonable prices, perhaps $25 to $40 depending on the current price of silver. There are also some rare date and mint mark combinations that can sell for thousands of dollars.

FAQ's about Morgan dollars

Q: What is the "M" mint mark on the front?

A: That's actually George Morgan's initial. A tiny "M" appears both on the front of the coin at the edge of Miss Liberty's neck and on the back inside the bow of the wreath.

Q: I have a Morgan dollar from a year other than 1878-1904 or 1921.

A: The name "Morgan dollar" is so famous some people erroneously think it's a synonym for any US silver dollar. Actually it applies only to dollars with Morgan's design, minted during those years. Other designs are called Peace dollars, Seated Liberty dollars, Trade dollars, etc.