Morgan silver dollars are one of the most popular series of United States coins. However, it wasn't always that way. It wasn't until the mid-1970s that Morgan silver dollars became extremely popular with coin collectors.

History of the Morgan Silver Dollar

In February 1878, the Bland-Allison Act became law and mandated that the government purchase several million dollars worth of silver every month and coin them into silver dollars.

These coins were not needed for commerce but were used to artificially stabilize the price of silver at the request of the silver mining interests in the Western United States.

George T. Morgan was the English engraver who designed both the obverse and reverse of the coin. The United States Mint in Philadelphia struck the first Morgan silver dollars in 1878. Over the life of the coin series, the mint produced it at five different facilities:

• Philadelphia (no mint mark)
• New Orleans (O)
• San Francisco (S)
• Carson City (CC)
• Denver (D)

Production stopped in 1904, with coins being produced only at the Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco mints. When silver dollar production resumed in 1921, the Peace silver dollar design was not ready for the coining presses. Therefore, mint employees revived the Morgan silver dollar design for part of the year until the Peace dollar dies were ready.

Key Collectible Dates

These dates are very collectible in any condition:

• 1881 CC
• 1885 CC
• 1889 CC
• 1893 CC
• 1893 S
• 1895 Proof
• 1895 S

Condition

As you’ve probably heard, condition is extremely important. A coin in original condition is always preferred by collectors, even if it has natural patina or toning.

Never clean your coins—this can drastically decrease their value.

For visual reference, please click here to view a photo example of different Morgan Dollar grades.