Morgan Silver Dollar Coin – 1878-1904 AU

Few coins in American history command the collector following of the Morgan Silver Dollar. Struck by the United States Mint across multiple facilities from 1878 to 1904, these are genuine circulating silver dollars from the late 19th century — not reproductions, not rounds, but original U.S. government-issued coins now over a century old. An About Uncirculated (AU) example retains nearly all of its original mint detail, with only the lightest evidence of handling on the highest points of the design.

Key Features:

• Purity and weight: 26.73 grams, 90% fine silver (approximately 0.7734 troy oz actual silver weight)
• Metal type: Silver
• Face value: $1 USD — historic U.S. legal tender
• Obverse design: Left-facing Lady Liberty portrait with wheat and cotton in her coronet, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above, stars around the border, and the date at the base
• Reverse design: Heraldic eagle with wings spread, perched on an arrow bundle, flanked by olive branches, with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “ONE DOLLAR”
• Grade: About Uncirculated (AU) — minimal wear, strong luster remaining
• Date range: 1878–1904 — specific date varies

The obverse presents Lady Liberty in left-facing profile, her hair gathered back beneath a coronet adorned with wheat and cotton — crops deliberately chosen by designer George T. Morgan to represent American agriculture. The facial features are finely modeled, with the cheek and hair above the ear being the areas most susceptible to wear on AU-grade examples. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” arcs across the top, a ring of stars circles the border, and the date anchors the lower rim. The illustrated example shows 1888, though dates across the 1878–1904 range will vary by available inventory.

The reverse centers a bald eagle perched with wings partially raised, gripping a bundle of arrows at its feet. Olive branches flank the bird on both sides, and the scroll above bears “IN GOD WE TRUST” in serif lettering. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” runs along the upper arc, with “ONE DOLLAR” at the base. On AU examples, the eagle’s breast feathers and the high points of the wings retain most of their struck detail, with luster visible in the fields.

The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan, an English-born engraver who joined the U.S. Mint in 1876. Production ran continuously from 1878 through 1904, covering mint facilities in Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City — each identifiable by a mint mark on the reverse. At AU grade, these coins present exceptionally well, retaining enough luster and detail to satisfy collectors while remaining accessible in price compared to Mint State examples.

For buyers seeking genuine 90% silver U.S. coinage with real numismatic history, an AU Morgan Dollar is one of the most rewarding purchases in the hobby. Add one to your cart today.