The standardized diameter of a traditional United States silver dollar is 38.1 millimeters. This measurement applies specifically to the most commonly recognized series of silver dollars, including the Morgan Dollar, which was minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, and the Peace Dollar, produced from 1921 to 1935. In a numismatic context, these coins are the definitive examples when referencing the classic U.S. silver dollar.
According to specifications, the thickness for these particular coins is consistently documented as 2.4 millimeters. This combination of a 38.1 mm diameter and a 2.4 mm thickness gives the coins their substantial and recognizable feel. It is important to distinguish these from other dollar coins issued by the United States Mint over the years.
For instance, the Eisenhower Dollar, minted from 1971 to 1978, also shares the 38.1 mm diameter but has a slightly greater thickness of 2.58 mm. While some Eisenhower dollars were produced for collectors with a 40% silver composition, the circulating versions were made of a copper-nickel clad. This contrasts significantly with later, smaller dollar coins, such as the Susan B. Anthony or Sacagawea dollars, which have a much smaller diameter of 26.5 mm and are not composed of silver for circulation. Therefore, the 38.1 mm dimension is the correct specification for what is historically and colloquially known as a silver dollar.
