Recognize the design
The obverse shows Liberty in profile. The reverse shows an eagle with spread wings inside a wreath. The original coins contain 90% silver and weigh 26.73 grams when made, though circulation and damage can reduce weight slightly.
Original years1878–1904, 1921
DesignerGeorge T. Morgan
Original composition90% silver, 10% copper
Original weight26.73 g
Find the mint mark
On original Morgan dollars, the mint mark appears on the reverse below the wreath. You may find no mark for Philadelphia, or CC, O, S, and, in 1921, D. The modern Morgan issues introduced in 2021 are a separate program and use different specifications.
Record before pricing
- Exact four-digit date and mint mark
- Obvious wear on Liberty's hair and the eagle's breast
- Original-looking luster or signs of cleaning
- Major marks, rim damage, corrosion, or holes
- Any unusual die details that may need variety attribution
Do not assume every CC is rare or every 1921 is common.Use the exact issue, variety, and condition. Authentication matters when the potential value is high.
Sources and research
- U.S. Mint: One Hundred Years of Silver Dollar Coinage
- U.S. Mint: Celebrating the Morgan and Peace Dollars
- Coin AI: Morgan Dollar Value Guide