Morgan Silver Dollars Value Guide

The Morgan Silver Dollar is a cornerstone of American numismatics, representing the first standard silver dollar minted after the Fourth Coinage Act of 1873. Designed by George T. Morgan, these coins are highly collectible due to their 90% silver composition and their historical role in transitioning the U.S. toward a gold standard.

What Is Morgan Silver Dollars Worth?

The typical price range for Morgan Silver Dollars is $75 - $90 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The specific mint year, with the 1878 first-year issues and the 1921 final-year issues being highly sought after.
• The physical condition and grade of the coin, which significantly impacts the $75-$90 price range.
• The presence of rare mint marks, such as the 'CC' from Carson City, which can drive value above standard rates.
• The current market spot price of silver, given the coin's high precious metal content.

How to Identify Morgan Silver Dollars?

• Verify the obverse features a profile of Lady Liberty and the reverse depicts an eagle with outstretched wings.
• Check for the designer's initial 'M' located at the truncation of Liberty's neck and on the left loop of the ribbon on the reverse.
• Confirm the weight and metallic composition, which should be 90% silver and 10% copper.
• Look for mint marks located on the reverse, just above the 'DO' in 'DOLLAR', representing mints like Philadelphia, Carson City, or New Orleans.

History of Morgan Silver Dollars

The Morgan Dollar is a silver dollar coin minted by the United States from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921. It was the first standard silver dollar minted since the passage of the Fourth Coinage Act in 1873, which ended the free coining of silver and created a de facto gold standard. Its design features a profile of Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse. The coin is named after its designer, George T. Morgan, an English-born engraver who became Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint.