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How to Collect Peace Dollars

The Peace Dollar is the last coin containing 90 percent silver issued for circulation in the United States. It was minted from 1921 to 1928 and then again from 1934 to 1935. Created to commemorate peace after World War I, the coin was inscribed with the word "Peace" on the reverse side. It takes 24 different combinations of dates and mint marks to complete a set. The mint mark is a letter located underneath the word "One" on the reverse side that identifies where it was made. The Peace Dollar was minted in Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D) and San Francisco (S).The coin's price is based on condition, scarcity and grade.

Instructions

- 1
  Buy the more common Peace Dollar mints you wish from a seller on eBay who has a minimum of 50 pieces of feedback and a 98 percent positive feedback rating, or from a local dealer whom you trust. Numismatist Q. David Bowers recommends first purchasing the four Philadelphia Mint issues of 1922 through 1925, which are generally inexpensive, easy to obtain and available in higher grades.
- 2
  Purchase the key dates and mint marks, such as the 1921 and 1928 Philadelphia mints. The 1921 Peace Dollar is very difficult to find in mint condition because its high-relief design caused it to be easily damaged and worn. The year 1921 is the first year of the coin's production, which also increases its value. The 1928 Peace Dollar, minted in Philadelphia, was the lowest production year of the coin with just 360,649 struck.
- 3
  Explore purchasing the rarer varieties of Peace Dollars to add to your collection, including the 1934 San Francisco mint. Slightly more than 1 million were produced and it is very scarce in mint condition. The most sought-after and costly Peace Dollars are the proofs--coins that were minted but not intended for circulation. The "Red Book" lists these highly rare coins' values up to $100,000, as of 2010.

Coin Collecting