2021 Morgan and Peace Dollars are Here!
The Morgan Dollar was designed by Mint Chief Engraver George T. Morgan (1845-1925) and was minted from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921. This iconic silver dollar represented the country’s westward expansion and industrial development in the late 19th century.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the last year of the ‘Morgan Dollar’ the United States Mint is proud to present the 2021 Morgan Dollar, created through the use of modern technology and historical U.S. Mint assets. It has a beautiful uncirculated finish.
The stunning Peace Dollar, designed by Anthony de Francisci, was struck from 1921 to 1935. 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the first release of the coin.
Five Historic Mints, Six Stunning Coins
Carson City Mint
Morgan Dollars were produced at the Carson City branch mint facility from 1878 to 1893. Because it is no longer in operation coins will be struck at the Philadelphia mint facility, with a CC “privy mark” in place of the traditional mint mark.
Built at the peak of the silver boom conveniently near a local silver mine, 50 issues of silver coins and 57 issues of gold coins minted here between 1870 and 1893 bore the "CC" mint mark. The mint was established in Carson City to facilitate minting of silver coins from silver in the Comstock Lode, much as the San Francisco Mint was established to facilitate minting gold coins from the gold of the California gold rush. From 1895 to 1933, the building served as the U.S. Assay Office for gold and silver. The federal government sold the building to the state of Nevada in 1939. Coins struck here, especially Morgan dollars, are generally rare and command a high premium among collectors.
Edmund C. Moy signature specimen
New Orleans Mint
Morgan Dollars were produced at the New Orleans branch mint facility from 1879 to 1904. Because it is no longer in operation coins will be struck at the Philadelphia mint facility, with an O “privy mark” in place of the traditional mint mark.
The New Orleans Mint operated in New Orleans, Louisiana, as a branch mint of the United States Mint from 1838 to 1861 and from 1879 to 1909. During its years of operation, it produced over 427 million gold and silver coins of nearly every American denomination, with a total face value of over US$ 307 million.[3] It was closed during most of the American Civil War and Reconstruction.
After it was decommissioned as a mint, the building has served a variety of purposes, including as an assay office, a United States Coast Guard storage facility, and a fallout shelter.
Edmund C. Moy signature specimen
Denver Mint
Morgan Dollars were produced at the Denver branch mint facility only during the final year of their production, in 1921. The new coin features the traditional D mint mark.
The Denver Mint struck its first coins on February 1, 1906. It is still operating and producing coins for circulation, as well as mint sets and commemorative coins. Coins produced at the Denver Mint bear a D mint mark (not to be confused with the mark of the Dahlonega Mint). The Denver Mint is the single largest producer of coins in the world.
The facility was established in response to the Colorado Gold Rush that began in 1858, but many years would pass before coin production began. Until then it was active as an assay office where gold was melted, tested for purity, and cast into stamped bars.
Edmund C. Moy signature specimen
San Francisco Mint
Morgan Dollars were produced at the San Francisco branch mint facility in every year of their issue. These coins all bear the S mintmark, as does the new 2021 issue.
The San Francisco Mint began operation in 1854 to serve the massive output of the California Gold Rush. The Mint would twice outgrow its location, with new facilities opened in 1874 and 1937. At the time a fire struck in 1906 it was said that the building held fully one third of the nation’s entire gold reserves.
Today the Mint no longer produces circulating coinage, but strikes clad and silver proof coins and sets, as well as commemorative coins as authorized by Congress.
Edmund C. Moy signature specimen
Philadelphia Mint
Morgan Dollars were produced at the main Philadelphia mint facility in every year of their issue. As the main and primary Mint of the United States, a mint mark is typically not included on coins it produces. This is the case for the 2021 Morgan dollar.
Peace Dollars were struck from 1921 to 1935, with a great majority coming from the main Philadelphia mint. Fittingly, the 2021 issue Peace Dollar will be struck in Philadelphia with no mint mark.
The Philadelphia Mint was created from the need to establish a national identity and the needs of commerce in the United States. This led the Founding Fathers of the United States to make an establishment of a continental national mint. After the Coinage Act of 1792 was entered into law on April 2 of that year, working facilities were in place by fall. The first building would be the first public building erected by the new United States government.
Edmund C. Moy signature specimen