how much does a morgan silver dollar weigh in grams

[VanOwen]

According to official United States Mint specifications, a Morgan silver dollar has a standard weight of 26.73 grams. This specific mass was mandated by the Coinage Act of 1873, which established the standards for the coin's production.

The weight is a direct result of the coin's metallic composition. A Morgan dollar is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. This alloy results in a total of 0.7734 troy ounces, or approximately 24.05 grams, of pure silver within each coin. The addition of copper was intended to increase the coin's durability and resistance to wear during circulation.

It is important to note that while 26.73 grams is the official mint standard for an uncirculated coin, the actual weight of an individual Morgan dollar can vary slightly. The primary reason for this variation is circulation wear. Over time, as a coin is handled and used in commerce, minuscule amounts of metal are worn away from its surface, which can lead to a slight reduction in its total mass. This is why numismatists and collectors, as indicated in coin collecting forums, often weigh individual Morgan dollars to assess their condition and authenticity. A coin that is significantly underweight may be heavily worn or, in some cases, a counterfeit.