1878-1904 Morgan Dollars MS-63 NGC

Product Details

Journey back to a defining era of American history with the legendary Morgan Silver Dollar. Each coin, certified MS-63 by NGC, offers a superb window into the post-Civil War West and the nation's pivotal economic debates.

The Morgan Dollar series, struck between 1878 and 1904 and briefly reprised in 1921, stands as a powerful symbol of a dynamic and sometimes tumultuous period in American history. Its very existence is rooted in the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, a legislative compromise born from the fierce "Free Silver" movement. This movement sought to re-establish silver's role in the national economy after its effective demonetization by the "Crime of '73." Each coin in this offering, a random year between 1878 and 1904, is graded Mint State-63 by the esteemed Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), serving as a tangible connection to the intense debates over bimetallism versus the gold standard that shaped America's financial future.

Crafted by the visionary hand of George T. Morgan, an English-born assistant engraver for the U.S. Mint, the coin's design is a masterpiece reflecting the national aspirations of the time. The obverse presents a dignified profile of Lady Liberty, her Phrygian cap adorned with symbols of America's agricultural bounty: wheat and cotton. Her likeness was famously modeled by Anna Willess Williams, a Philadelphia schoolteacher, imbuing the allegorical figure with a relatable human quality. Morgan's distinct initial "M" is subtly placed at the truncation of her neck. The reverse showcases a majestic American eagle with outstretched wings, clutching both arrows, signifying strength, and an olive branch, representing peace. This powerful device is encircled by a laurel wreath. The designer's "M" can also be found on the left-hand loop of the ribbon. These historic pieces, each a legal tender with a denomination of 1 Dollar, were produced by the US Mint in various facilities, and while specific mintages varied by year and mint mark, they represent vast quantities produced under the mandate of the Bland-Allison Act.

Each Morgan Dollar has a precise diameter of 38.1 mm and a gross weight of 26.73 grams. Composed of .900 fine silver and .100 copper, it contains a significant 0.7734 troy oz of pure silver, providing both historical gravitas and substantial intrinsic value. For the collector, owning an MS-63 NGC-certified Morgan Dollar means more than possessing a beautiful coin; it means holding a piece of America's westward expansion, the drama of the silver strikes, and the complex political landscape of the late 19th century. It is an enduring metallic chronicle, a touchstone connecting you directly to the legendary era of pioneers, prospectors, and a nation forging its destiny.