Morgan Silver Dollar

The Morgan Silver Dollar is a masterpiece of 19th-century American minting, celebrated not only for its beauty but also for its embodiment of a transformative era in U.S. history. First minted in 1878 and continuing through 1904, with a final issue in 1921, the coin represents a golden age of American silver coinage. Named after its designer, George T. Morgan, an English engraver who joined the U.S. Mint in 1876, the coin marked a major leap forward in both artistic design and minting technology.

The design of the Morgan Silver Dollar is both classical and distinctively American, setting a new standard for beauty and symbolism in U.S. coinage. The obverse (front) features a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty. Unlike earlier representations of Liberty inspired by Greco-Roman ideals, Morgan's Liberty is uniquely American in appearance—strong, confident, and modern for her time. Surrounding the bust are the inscription "E PLURIBUS UNUM," the year of mintage, and thirteen stars representing the original colonies. The reverse (back) showcases a powerful bald eagle with outstretched wings, clutching arrows and an olive branch—symbols of readiness for war and desire for peace. A laurel wreath wraps below, and the eagle is surrounded by the words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," the denomination "ONE DOLLAR," and above the eagle's head, the national motto: "IN GOD WE TRUST."

The Morgan Silver Dollar is more than just a silver coin—it's a symbol of American heritage, a bridge between the old frontier and modern finance. Collectors and investors treasure it for both its numismatic value and its intrinsic silver content, making it one of the most widely collected U.S. coins of all time.