Obverse: identify the front

Look for Liberty facing left, a cap and wreath in her hair, stars around the lower rim and the date below. The pictured coin is an 1899 example. Use the date and lettering together; a portrait alone cannot establish authenticity.

Reverse: identify the back

An eagle with spread wings holds arrows and an olive branch above a wreath. ONE DOLLAR appears around the lower rim. Inspect the space below the wreath for a mint mark when present; the illustrated reverse is representative of the original series.

History and purpose

The Morgan dollar takes its name from designer George T. Morgan. The U.S. Mint connects its introduction to the Bland–Allison Act and restored silver-dollar coinage. Production stopped after 1904 and resumed in 1921 before the Peace dollar replaced it. That history explains why a continuous 1878–1921 filter range does not mean every intervening year exists.

How to identify this variant

Match the Liberty portrait, eagle reverse, ONE DOLLAR inscription and date. Then record the mint mark separately. A 1921 dollar can be a Morgan or a Peace dollar; the date alone is insufficient. Compare diameter and weight with nominal specifications, while allowing for wear rather than diagnosing a coin from one measurement.

Understanding its metal content

The alloy includes copper, so gross weight is greater than fine-silver weight. Calculation uses 26.73 × 0.900 ÷ 31.1034768 troy ounces per coin. These are nominal specifications for a correctly identified genuine coin. Wear, damage and authenticity can affect an individual piece.

Dates, varieties and composition changes

Original issues were struck in 1878–1904 and again in 1921. No Morgan dollars were produced in 1905–1920. Mint marks and die varieties distinguish collector issues without changing this nominal alloy calculation. Modern Morgan collector issues beginning in 2021 are .999 silver and are excluded here.

Melt value versus collector value

Melt content does not price an 1899 coin, a Carson City issue or a particular die variety. Preserve the date, mint mark, surfaces and any grading holder when requesting evaluation. Scarcity and condition can justify separate numismatic review; this calculator supplies neither a grade nor a market quotation.

Authenticity and condition

Photograph both sides and the edge in natural light. Compare legends, design details, mass and diameter together. Do not clean, file or acid-test a potentially collectible coin. A photograph or a single home test cannot certify authenticity; request professional evaluation when details do not agree.

Selling this coin

Keep dates and mint marks visible when organizing a Morgan collection. Use the photo appraisal link below and note grading holders or provenance. The silver buying page describes company purchasing information; its bids are distinct from this library’s theoretical metal calculation.

Sources and calculation methodology

The U.S. Mint supplies the nominal alloy, gross mass, date groups and design history. Diameter is separately cross-checked in the internal reference source record. Fixed decimal arithmetic calculates fine weight to 12 decimal places for aggregation; no current silver price has been supplied. Images are credited separately from specification sources.

Common questions

References

• U.S. Mint: a century of silver dollar coinage — identity; weight 26.73 g; fineness .900; dates 1878–1904 and 1921; design Liberty and heraldic eagle; mints; history (checked 2026-10-09)

Issue-year references

• U.S. Mint: historic silver dollar issue periods

Content maintained by CashForCoins. Last substantive record update: 2026-10-09. Report a specification or attribution issue through our contact page.

Related coins

Canadian Voyageur Silver Dollar — 1965–1966

Photo credits and rights on the linked coin profile.

Canada • 80% silver, 20% copper

Issue years: 1965–1966

Fine silver: 0.599290 troy oz

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