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1895 Morgan Silver Dollar Varieties

Morgan silver dollars were first minted in 1878 in response to a discovery of large amounts of silver in Nevada mines. These dollar coins were minted continuously until 1904, with a single resurgence year in 1921. More than 1 billion of them were minted for circulation, but the 1895 Morgan Silver dollar is considered so rare it is called the "King of Morgan dollars."

Identification
- The front of George T. Morgan's coin design depicts a profile view of Miss Liberty surrounded by the standard "E Pluribus Unum" text. The back shows an eagle with outstretched wings clutching an olive branch and a bundle of arrows in its talons. The designer's initials and the so-called "mint mark" -- where the coin was minted -- are found under the lady's neck on the front and under the ribbon below the eagle on the back. These coins were 38.1 mm, or about 1.5 inches, in diameter. They were 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper and weighed 26.73 g. The edges of these coins were reeded, that is, with little bumps.
Circulation Strikes
- In 1895, only 862,000 Morgan silver dollars were struck for circulation and they were minted in only three of the available five mints. The New Orleans, Louisiana minted coins bear an "O" mint mark. The ones made in Philadelphia bear no mint marks and the San Francisco coins have an "S" mint mark.
Proofs
- Only 880 Morgan silver dollar proofs were created in 1895. Experts have identified that some of the 80 proofs in existence were unintentionally introduced into circulation, giving them the worn appearance of a circulation strike. Proofs will have 179 reeds, while circulation strikes will have any other number of reeds. Proofs do not bear a mint mark.

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