Designed by: George T. Morgan
Issue Dates: 1878-1904, 1921
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
Diameter: 38.1 mm
Weight: 26.73 grams (412.50 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 656,989,387
In 1878 the passage of the Bland-Allison Act caused the eventual mintage of hundreds of millions of silver dollars. The Philadelphia Mint enlisted George T. Morgan to produce a new design. The obverse depicts Miss Liberty facing left, her hair in a Phrygian cap, and with LIBERTY inscribed on a ribbon or band holding a spray of leaves and sheaves. E PLURIBUS UNUM is above, seven stars are to the left, six stars are to the right, and the date is below. The reverse depicts a wingspread eagle holding a branch and three arrows. IN GOD WE TRUST appears in Old English letters above. Surrounding is the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and ONE DOLLAR.
Production was continuous at the Philadelphia Mint from 1878 through 1904, after which there was a pause until the single year 1921. Additional pieces were made at San Francisco, Carson City, and New Orleans during the 1878-1904 span and in 1921 at Denver and San Francisco.
The type set collector will have no difficulty acquiring a common date Morgan dollar in any grade desired from Good through superb Uncirculated. Proofs were minted for all dates at Philadelphia, and their survival today is proportional to the original figures. Due to their high mintage and high number which have been preserved in Uncirculated condition, Morgan Dollars have long been among the most popular series with numismatists. Varieties are collected by VAM number, outlined in the book: The Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars by Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis.
