1881 Morgan Dollar MS-66 PCGS

Product Details

Only $1,695.00 per coin
This 1881 Morgan Dollar, graded an impressive MS-66 by PCGS, offers a captivating glimpse into America's Gilded Age. With its iconic design and origin from the historic Philadelphia Mint, it highlights a key period in the nation's economic narrative.

Imagine America in 1881: a nation rapidly industrializing, expanding westward, and grappling with fiery debates over its monetary policy. The 1881 Morgan Dollar emerged directly from this dynamic period, a direct result of the Bland-Allison Act, which mandated the U.S. Mint to purchase vast amounts of silver and transform it into these impressive coins. This particular specimen, struck at the venerable Philadelphia Mint—identifiable by the absence of a mint mark—was part of a substantial mintage of 9,163,000 pieces that year. Today, it stands certified at an exceptional MS-66 by PCGS, showcasing its remarkable preservation and beauty.

The coin's design is the work of George T. Morgan, an English engraver who brought a fresh perspective to American coinage. The obverse features a striking profile of Lady Liberty, her Phrygian cap adorned with wheat and cotton, symbolizing American agriculture, alongside the classic "E Pluribus Unum" and thirteen stars. The reverse showcases a majestic heraldic eagle, wings outstretched, clutching an olive branch and arrows—representing peace and strength. Both sides boast remarkable detail, especially on this MS-66 example, where the artistry truly shines.

Weighing 1.930 troy ounces with a metal content of 0.7734 troy ounces of .900 fine silver, this one-dollar denomination coin measures 38.1 mm in diameter and 3.1 mm in thickness. This coin offers a silver snapshot of America's post-Civil War identity. For anyone who appreciates the confluence of art, economics, and history, owning an 1881 Morgan Dollar in such a high grade connects you directly to the spirited character of the late 19th century and the very foundation of American numismatics.