how many troy ounces of silver in a morgan dollar

[DiAlaina]

When you hold a classic Morgan Dollar, you're holding a significant piece of American history, and a substantial amount of silver. For anyone looking to invest in precious metals or collect iconic coinage, understanding its intrinsic value is key. A Morgan Silver Dollar contains exactly 0.77344 troy ounces of pure silver. This specific figure is what's known as the coin's Actual Silver Weight (ASW), and it's the number that truly matters to stackers and investors.

It's important to distinguish the silver content from the coin's total weight. A standard Morgan Dollar has a total mass of 26.73 grams, or about 0.859 troy ounces. The reason for this difference is the coin's composition. As mandated by the Coinage Act of 1873, these dollars were struck from a 90% silver and 10% copper alloy. The copper was added to increase the coin's hardness and durability, allowing it to withstand the rigors of daily circulation.

Therefore, while the coin itself weighs more, its value from a precious metals perspective is tied directly to that 0.77344 troy ounce silver content. This makes the Morgan Dollar a fantastic and historically rich way to own a tangible, valuable asset, blending the appeal of pure silver with the fascinating story of American expansion.