The Morgan dollar is a United States dollar coin that was minted from 1878 to 1904, with a final issuance in 1921. The coin is named after its designer, George T. Morgan, who was an Assistant Engraver at the United States Mint at the time of its creation and would later become the seventh Chief Engraver. It stands as one of the most famous and widely collected coins in American numismatic history, symbolizing the nation's westward expansion and industrial development in the late 19th century.
The coin's design features a profile portrait of Lady Liberty on the obverse, for which Anna Willess Williams served as the model. The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with its wings outstretched. The Morgan dollar was produced at several mints, and a mint mark indicating its origin, such as Carson City or San Francisco, can be found on the reverse. In terms of its physical specifications, the coin has a diameter of 38.1 millimeters, weighs 26.73 grams, and is composed of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
The authorization for the Morgan dollar came from the Bland–Allison Act of 1878. This legislation mandated that the U.S. Treasury purchase a specified amount of silver each month and subsequently strike it into silver dollar coins for circulation. This was a response to political and economic pressures related to the role of silver in the nation's currency system.
The enduring legacy of this historic coin was celebrated in 2021 when the U.S. Mint released new Morgan Dollars to mark the 100th anniversary of its last year of minting. These modern commemorative issues feature the original obverse and reverse designs, honoring the centennial of the transition from the Morgan dollar to the Peace dollar series.
