Authentic 1878-1904 Morgan Silver Dollar - Circulated Condition

Morgan Silver Dollar — “The Original Big-Shouldered Dollar”
Bring home a piece of American history with a Morgan Silver Dollar — a handsome, hefty one-dollar coin that smells faintly of nineteenth-century expansion, railroad dreams, and occasionally, very dusty coin folders. Struck from 1878–1904 and again in 1921, the Morgan is beloved by collectors for its bold design, heavy silver content, and the fascinating variety of mint marks and die varieties that reward careful study.

Specs (the hard facts you can actually weigh):

• Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper (original issues).

• Weight: 26.73 grams.

• Diameter: 38.1 mm (about 1.5 inches).

• Edge: Reeded.
  These substantial dimensions mean the Morgan feels like real money in your hand — and, for collectors, like a small, portable museum artifact. 

Obverse — Liberty, reimagined:
The obverse shows a striking left-facing profile of Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap crowned with agricultural motifs — a fusion of classical and Americana. The word “LIBERTY” is incused on her crown and the surrounding legends include the date, 13 stars, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Designed by George T. Morgan (the coin’s namesake), the portrait was intentionally more naturalistic than previous representations — a refresh that caused as much polite debate in 1878 as a modern redesign would. 

Reverse — an eagle with attitude:
The reverse depicts a powerful, spread-winged eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch (strength plus diplomacy), surrounded by a wreath and encircled by “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “ONE DOLLAR.” The eagle motif is classic and unmistakable — proud, slightly baroque, and built to look good under a magnifier. 

A short, critical history (because the past matters):
The Morgan was introduced after the Coinage Act debates and the resumption of standard silver dollars in the late 1870s. It became the workhorse silver dollar of the late 19th century and symbolized the era’s mining booms and economic turbulence. Production ran 1878–1904, resumed briefly in 1921, and the design has been revived in modern commemoratives. Key collecting notes: different mints (Philadelphia — no mint mark; Carson City — CC; New Orleans — O; San Francisco — S; Denver — D) and low-mintage or proof issues (for example, certain 1895 and Carson City dates) drive collector interest and value. In short: history, variety, and scarcity — the three ingredients collectors love. 

Why collectors still treasure Morgans:

• Tactile and visual appeal: big, bold relief and a weighty silver content make Morgans satisfying to handle.

• Variety: multiple mints, die varieties (VAMs), and condition grades provide endless hunting opportunities.

• Historical story: from western vaults to cabinet collections, each coin carries a slice of 19th-century America.
  If you want a coin that’s both a beautiful display piece and a gateway into deeper numismatic study, the Morgan is a top choice.

The Morgan Silver Dollar is more than a coin — it’s a compact piece of American iconography. Whether you’re starting a collection, hunting that one elusive CC, or buying a display piece that prompts questions at dinner parties, the Morgan delivers character, silver content, and stories. It’s handsome, heavy, and historically interesting — everything you want in a coin and very little that you don’t. Treat one as an investment in beauty, history, and the occasional satisfying clink on your desk.