1878-1904 Morgan Dollars MS-63 PCGS

Product Details

The Morgan Dollar embodies the nation's post-Civil War era and the fierce debates over silver coinage. Certified MS-63 by PCGS, these iconic silver dollars from 1878-1904 feature George T. Morgan's classic Lady Liberty and eagle design.

Imagine America in the late 1870s, a nation grappling with economic shifts and still healing from the Civil War. It was a time of intense debate over currency, particularly the role of silver. The "Crime of '73" — the Coinage Act of 1873, which demonetized silver — had ignited a passionate movement to bring silver back into the monetary system. This fervor ultimately led to the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, a landmark piece of legislation mandating the U.S. Treasury to purchase and coin a significant amount of silver into dollars each month. This act set the stage for one of the most beloved coins in American history: the Morgan Dollar.

Tasked with creating this new silver dollar was George T. Morgan, an English engraver brought to the U.S. Mint by Director Henry Linderman. Morgan’s vision was to craft a distinctly American representation of Liberty, moving away from traditional classical figures. For the obverse, he found his muse in Anna Willess Williams, a Philadelphia schoolteacher whose profile he deemed "the most perfect he had seen in England or America." The result is the iconic rendition of Lady Liberty, her gaze resolute, wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with cotton and wheat, symbolizing America's agricultural bounty, and a ribbon inscribed "LIBERTY." Surrounding her are thirteen stars, representing the original colonies, and the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM."

The reverse of this magnificent dollar showcases a majestic eagle with outstretched wings, clutching an olive branch of peace and arrows of defense, encircled by a laurel wreath. Above the eagle, the enduring motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" is inscribed, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and the denomination "ONE DOLLAR" completing the design. Each Morgan Dollar contains 0.7734 troy ounces of .900 fine silver, weighing approximately 26.73 grams, with a diameter of 38.1 mm. Struck between 1878 and 1904 (and again in 1921), these dollars were minted across various facilities, carrying mint marks such as P (Philadelphia), CC (Carson City), S (San Francisco), O (New Orleans), and D (Denver).

This particular offering comprises Morgan Dollars from this historic era, each certified in Mint State-63 (MS-63) by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service). While the specific mint year and mint mark will vary, each coin represents the artistry of George T. Morgan and the tumultuous yet transformative period of American history that birthed it. For the numismatist, the history buff, or anyone seeking a tangible piece of American heritage, these MS-63 Morgan Dollars offer not just a beautiful silver coin, but a direct connection to the nation's journey and enduring spirit.