Description
Why add this extremely fine 1878-S Morgan Silver Dollar to your collection?
The U.S. Mint introduced the Morgan Silver Dollar series in 1878, featuring a design by assistant engraver George T. Morgan, which was originally intended for a half dollar denomination coin. Prompted by the mid-19th century discovery of vast amounts of silver in the western region of the United States, and the passage of the 1878 Bland-Allison Act which mandated that that silver be used to produce dollar coins, the Mint adapted Morgan’s design to suit a one dollar coin instead.
- This first year of issue Morgan Silver Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1878.
- The coin is crafted from 0.7734 Troy oz. of .900 fine silver.
- The silver dollar features a 38.10 mm diameter.
- Final mintage is reported to be 9,774,000 coins.
Beautifully Symbolic Morgan Dollar Design
Obverse: A left facing portrait of Lady Liberty as a young woman is centered on the obverse, accompanied by thirteen six-pointed stars. Ms. Liberty wears a Phrygian cap, which has been associated with the pursuit of liberty since the civilizations of ancient Rome. The cap is adorned with sprigs of wheat, cotton and oak, which are meant to convey the progress of agricultural development in the nation in the late 19th century. Inscribed “LIBERTY,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “1878.”
Reverse: The reverse depicts an eagle grasping an olive branch of peace, and a cluster of arrows to represent military preparedness. A laurel wreath, which is a symbol for strength and victory, curves beneath the national bird. Inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “ONE DOLLAR,” “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the “S” Mint mark.
Extremely Fine Silver Dollar
This 1878-S Morgan Silver Dollar is presented in Extremely Fine (XF) condition. Expect the uncertified coin to exhibit the strike and surface characteristics of a coin receiving a grade of approximately 40-45 on the Sheldon Scale: complete details of design and overall sharpness, with slight flattening on the highest design elements and trace amounts of original Mint luster.
