
A standard silver dollar has a specified weight of 26.73 grams. This weight is a result of its metallic composition, which is set at 90% silver and 10% copper. This particular alloy and weight were established for the production of United States silver dollars.
It is important to note that the actual weight of an individual coin can vary slightly from this standard. An uncirculated Morgan dollar, one that has not been used as currency, should weigh very close to the official 26.73 grams. However, coins that have been in circulation often weigh slightly less. This is due to the wear and tear from handling over many years, which gradually removes minuscule amounts of metal.
For this reason, collectors often weigh their Morgan dollars. The weight can be an indicator of the coin's condition and authenticity. A significant deviation from the standard weight, particularly if the coin is underweight without showing signs of heavy circulation, could be a red flag for a potential counterfeit.


