The Morgan Silver Dollar is one of America’s most sought-after classic coins. It was the favorite silver coin among “Wild West” settlers, outlaws, and prospectors alike because of its large size and silver weight.
Morgan Silver Dollars struck in San Francisco are especially prized because of their Wild West connection. The coins were made at the “Granite Lady” mint, one of the most famous buildings in early U.S. history. This mint was legendary for the extra care it took to strike coins. Many collectors consider the San Francisco coins to be the best-struck and most beautiful of all Morgans.
Morgan Silver Dollars were made from 1878 to 1921. Every coin is now at least 100 years old.
The coin is identified by the unique “S” mint mark of the San Francisco Mint, which is located on the reverse, under the center of the wreath.
The coin is an immense 1-1/2 inches in diameter and contains over 3/4-ounce of pure American silver.
The obverse portrays Liberty wearing a slave’s cap (an ancient symbol of freedom), while the reverse features a heraldic eagle holding both the olive branch of peace and arrows of war.
Most Morgan Silver Dollars were worn out or damaged in circulation, and more than half of all coins were melted for the precious silver. Just a fraction have survived for today’s collectors.
