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Silver Dollars of the 20th Century

The silver dollar is a symbol of Americana. Yet the concept of the dollar coin was based on the silver crown coin that had been used in Europe since the 1500s. The idea was likely brought here by European immigrants. The first U.S. silver dollar was struck in 1794, and was known as the "Flowing Hair" silver dollar. Over the centuries, many dollar coins have been issued, but only a few are actual silver dollars.

Morgan Dollar
- The Morgan Silver Dollar qualifies as a 20th-century coin because it was minted up until 1904. Named for coin designer George T. Morgan, the coin featured Lady Liberty on the front and an eagle in flight on the back. The first Morgans were struck in 1878 in Carson City, Nevada. Over the years, the coins were minted in San Francisco, Philadelphia and New Orleans as well. In 1904, the government's supply of silver ran out and the coins were discontinued. The Morgans that were minted in San Francisco were only struck there from 1893 until the coin's end in 1904. Only around 100,000 of these coins were struck, placing them among the more rare and collectible silver dollars. While other Morgans are worth about $125, in 2009, Goldberg Coins placed the value of the 1893 San Francisco Morgan at around $5,500.
Peace Dollar
- The Peace Silver Dollar was inspired by the feeling that was sweeping the nation at the close of the first World War. Anthony DeFrancisci designed the coin, which features Lady Liberty with a more ostentatious, triumphant crown, and an eagle at rest on the back, its wings folded in to signify the bird in a peaceful stance. This dollar was minted from 1921 until 1935. The coins were minted in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Denver. The coins minted in Philly in 1928 number the fewest, and have therefore become a sought-after collector's item more so than any of the other Peace coins. In 2010, Goldberg Coins rated the Philly '28 coin at around $450, compared to $125 for another Peace dollar.
Eisenhower and American Eagle
- After the Peace dollar was discontinued in 1935, the U.S. Mint would not release another silver dollar until the Eisenhower in 1971, and the American Eagle in 1986. Neither of these coins are considered true silver dollars, since they contain so little actual silver. In 1965, Congress passed The Coinage Act, which stated that any coins minted in the future were to contain little to no actual silver. The Eisenhower, therefore, which was minted from 1971 to 1978, is composed of 40 percent silver. The American Eagle Silver Dollar was first released in 1986, and although it is silver in appearance, the coin is actually made from bullion. These coins have a lesser value than Morgan or Peace dollars; their rates vary depending on their year.

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