The US dollar has been the world's most popular currency for many years, especially since the late 19th century. A good number of our ancestors went to work in the United States even before the First World War and returned to their homeland with “dollars.” Some families even today keep the gold, silver, and paper dollars that their great-great-grandfather brought from “America.”.
One of the exceptionally significant and legendary coins from that time is the American silver dollar, regularly issued between 1878 and 1904, known in numismatic circles as the “Morgan Dollar.” It bears this name after the creator of its artistic design, the talented artist George T. Morgan, whose imaginative creativity and expertise are woven into every detail of this small numismatic masterpiece.
Coins of this type were first released into circulation in 1878 and were issued regularly until 1904. Subsequently, an issue from 1921 was also struck. They are made of .900 fine silver, which gives them a characteristic silver shine and beauty. With a weight of 26.73 grams and a diameter of 38.1 mm, these coins have an impressive appearance and that “massive” feel when you hold them in your hand.
The face of the coin is dominated by the depiction of an American eagle with outstretched wings. In one talon, the eagle holds an olive branch, a symbol of peace, while in the other it holds an arrow, a symbol of power and might. Below the eagle is a laurel wreath, and above is the inscription in Gothic letters „In God We Trust“. Along the rim of the coin are the semicircular inscriptions: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR”. The mint mark, if shown, is located below the ribbon connecting the two laurel branches in the wreath.
The reverse of the coin features the figure of a woman looking to the left, representing an allegory of Liberty. Her gaze is directed toward the future, and on her head she wears the characteristic “Phrygian cap,” a symbol of the struggle for freedom. The inscription “LIBERTY” is on the cap, which is adorned with flowers, leaves, and wheat stalks. Along the upper edge of the coin is the semicircular inscription: “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (Out of many, one), and along the lower edge are six-pointed stars; 7 on the left and 6 on the right. These 13 stars represent the 13 colonies that founded the United States of America. Below the head is the year of minting.
The Morgan Dollar was not only a desirable medium of exchange in its time, but it also remains a small work of art that has retained its appeal for nearly a century and a half. Its eternal beauty, symbolic representations, and exceptional craftsmanship make it highly valued among collectors and numismatic enthusiasts worldwide.
While some “Morgan Dollars” have come a long way, traveling from one end of the world to the other, their value lies not only in the material, but also in the stories they carry. Each coin carries with it a piece of the past, reminding us of the days when our ancestors dreamed of the “American Dream.”.
Author: Zlatko Viščević
Photos: Coins, Banknotes & Militaria Store [www.cbm-store.com]
