1921 Morgan Silver Dollar Value
Morgan silver dollars range in price from as low as $20 to as high as tens of thousands of dollars. It depends on their condition and the date they were minted, among other factors.
The 1921 Morgan Silver Dollar was produced in three mints: Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. The New Orleans Mint used an 'O' and the San Francisco Mint an 'S”. The main mint in Philadelphia did not use a mintmark. Proof examples of Morgan Dollars from all years, including 1921, are rare which makes them expensive. 1921 Morgan Silver Dollar Mintage Figures 1921: 44,690,000; $30+. Value of 1921-S Morgan Silver Dollar. Like the Philadelphia and Denver facilities, the San Francisco Mint was pressed into service to strike large quantities of new 1921-S Morgan Silver Dollar. Coinage started on May 9, 1921. Similar to the 1921-D, the 1921-S dollars have a tiny, micro-S mintmark.
You're probably thinking: That's quite a wide range! This is why you should consult a numismatic expert to appraise the value of your coin when you’re ready to sell.
Each Morgan dollar is struck from 90% silver. Its fine silver weight is 0.77344 troy oz. (Gold and silver are measured in troy ounces.)
Popular Morgan Dollars
If your Morgan dollar is a special variety, it will likely command a higher price. These varieties are commonly known as VAMs. Some of them have earned fascinating nicknames. Most VAMs can only be seen under magnification, but a handful are visible with the naked eye.
Numismatists have even traced the history of each VAM to the dies used to strike the coins.
The abbreviation comes from 'Van Allen Mallis.' These are the last names of the experts who first documented the varieties.
Here are a few of the most popular VAM Morgan silver dollars.
1888-O 'Scarface'
'Scarface' Morgan dollar. Image source: VAMWorld
A die break caused one of the most famous Morgan dollar VAMs called 'Scarface.' A fracture in the die used to strike these coins left a prominent raised line on Lady Liberty's cheek.
1888-O 'Hot Lips'
'Hot Lips' Morgan dollar VAM. Image source: VAMWorld
The 'Hot Lips' VAM is the result of a mint error known as a doubled die. This causes parts of the design to appear doubled or overlapped. In this case, the effect is most obvious on Lady Liberty's lips. The Hot Lips variety is not especially rare but it is highly collectible.
1878-S 'Funky Feather'
1878-S 'Funky Feather' Morgan dollar. Image source: VAMWorld
This variety is from the first year the Morgan dollar was issued. The wing feathers of the eagle on the reverse design are noticeably crude. A portion of the wing exhibits a grainy appearance and is characterized by small raised dots.
Other varieties of the 1878 coin feature different numbers of tail feathers on the eagle.
A noteworthy pedigree will also influence the price of a Morgan silver dollar. In other words, who owned the coin before? Was it part of a famous collection or hoard? Sometimes this is also called the coin's provenance.
The 'PL' designation also adds collectible appeal to any silver coin. This stands for proof-like, meaning the coin has mirrored surfaces. Once unknown, these are now a favorite among collectors.
Below are some general guidelines to help you determine the value of your Morgan dollar.
How To Identify the Branch Mints
Several different branches of the U.S. Mint struck Morgan dollars. This is important to know because certain mints produced less coins in a given year than others.
Each branch corresponds to a mintmark. This is a short abbreviation on the coin that tells you the location where it came from:
- P (Philadelphia Mint)
- D (Denver Mint)
- O (New Orleans Mint)
- S (San Francisco Mint)
- CC (Carson City Mint)
In the case of coins from the Philadelphia Mint, the mintmark is omitted. You won't find a 'P' anywhere on the coin.
So if there is no mintmark, you'll know your coin comes from Philadelphia. As a general rule, these coins had higher mintages. That makes them less expensive than their counterparts from other mints.
How To Find the Mintmark
You will find the mintmark on the reverse of your Morgan near the bottom of the design.
Morgan dollar CC mint mark. Image source: CoinStudy
Silver dollar coins minted in Carson City, Nevada are prized by collectors. The mint sourced its silver from the legendary Comstock Lode. It was only briefly in operation, however.
Morgan Silver Dollar Price Chart
Here is a list of values for every Morgan dollar minted from 1878 through 1904, as well as 1921.
Keep in mind that these prices are only a general guide. Actual market prices will vary slightly when you sell your coins. Again, it will always depend on the exact condition of the coin. Uncirculated silver Morgan dollar coins garner the highest prices.
| Date & Mintmark | Mintage | G | AU | MS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1878 | 10,509,300 | $30 | $60 | $150 |
| 1878-S | 9,774,000 | $30 | $50 | $80 |
| 1878-CC | 2,212,000 | $100 | $180 | $300 |
| 1879 | 14,807,100 | $20 | $50 | $75 |
| 1879-S | 9,110,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1879-CC | 756,000 | $180 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| 1879-O | 2,887,000 | $30 | $50 | $100 |
| 1880 | 12,601,335 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1880-S | 8,900,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1880-CC | 495,000 | $180 | $325 | $500 |
| 1880-O | 5,305,000 | $25 | $50 | $100 |
| 1881 | 9,163,975 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1881-S | 12,760,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1881-CC | 296,000 | $320 | $450 | $520 |
| 1881-O | 5,708,000 | $30 | $45 | $60 |
| 1882 | 11,101,100 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1882-S | 9,250,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1882-CC | 1,133,000 | $80 | $180 | $250 |
| 1882-O | 6,090,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1883 | 12,291,039 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1883-S | 6,250,000 | $30 | $120 | $1,000 |
| 1883-CC | 1,204,000 | $60 | $150 | $275 |
| 1883-O | 8,725,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1884 | 14,070,875 | $20 | $40 | $55 |
| 1884-S | 3,200,000 | $25 | $250 | $9,000 |
| 1884-CC | 1,136,000 | $100 | $200 | $250 |
| 1884-O | 9,730,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1885 | 17,787,767 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1885-S | 1,497,000 | $35 | $110 | $350 |
| 1885-CC | 228,000 | $500 | $620 | $700 |
| 1885-O | 9,185,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1886 | 19,963,886 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1886-S | 750,000 | $50 | $150 | $375 |
| 1886-O | 10,710,000 | $30 | $45 | $60 |
| 1887 | 20,290,710 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1887-S | 1,771,000 | $25 | $55 | $160 |
| 1887-O | 11,550,000 | $20 | $50 | $100 |
| 1888 | 19,183,833 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1888-S | 657,000 | $120 | $200 | $350 |
| 1888-O | 12,150,000 | $20 | $40 | $75 |
| 1889 | 21,726,811 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1889-S | 700,000 | $40 | $110 | $290 |
| 1889-CC | 350,000 | $600 | $7,000 | $22,000 |
| 1889-O | 11,875,000 | $25 | $60 | $300 |
| 1890 | 16,802,590 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1890-S | 8,230,373 | $20 | $40 | $100 |
| 1890-CC | 2,309,041 | $75 | $200 | $600 |
| 1890-O | 10,701,000 | $20 | $45 | $100 |
| 1891 | 8,694,206 | $25 | $50 | $100 |
| 1891-S | 5,296,000 | $25 | $50 | $140 |
| 1891-CC | 1,618,000 | $75 | $250 | $650 |
| 1891-O | 7,954,529 | $20 | $60 | $275 |
| 1892 | 1,037,245 | $30 | $100 | $400 |
| 1892-S | 1,200,000 | $50 | $1,400 | $55,000 |
| 1892-CC | 1,352,000 | $200 | $750 | $1,750 |
| 1892-O | 2,744,000 | $25 | $80 | $300 |
| 1893 | 378,792 | $200 | $400 | $1,400 |
| 1893-S | 100,000 | $2,500 | $20,000 | $225,000 |
| 1893-CC | 677,000 | $250 | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| 1893-O | 300,000 | $215 | $800 | $4,000 |
| 1894 | 110,972 | $800 | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| 1894-S | 1,260,000 | $65 | $470 | $1,000 |
| 1894-O | 1,723,000 | $50 | $180 | $1,800 |
| 1895 (proof only) | 880 | n/a | $40,000 | $52,500 |
| 1895-S | 400,000 | $300 | $1,600 | $4,000 |
| 1895-O | 450,000 | $225 | $1,200 | $15,000 |
| 1896 | 9,976,762 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1896-S | 5,000,000 | $40 | $800 | $3,000 |
| 1896-O | 4,900,000 | $30 | $120 | $1,500 |
| 1897 | 2,822,731 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1897-S | 5,825,000 | $20 | $45 | $100 |
| 1897-O | 4,004,000 | $20 | $100 | $1,250 |
| 1898 | 5,884,735 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1898-S | 4,102,000 | $30 | $100 | $390 |
| 1898-O | 4,440,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1899 | 330,846 | $125 | $200 | $290 |
| 1899-S | 2,562,000 | $35 | $150 | $500 |
| 1899-O | 12,290,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1900 | 8,880,938 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1900-S | 3,540,000 | $30 | $90 | $275 |
| 1900-O | 12,590,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1901 | 6,962,813 | $40 | $300 | $3,000 |
| 1901-S | 2,284,000 | $35 | $200 | $500 |
| 1901-O | 13,320,000 | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| 1902 | 7,944,777 | $20 | $45 | $65 |
| 1902-S | 1,530,000 | $100 | $230 | $400 |
| 1902-O | 8,636,000 | $20 | $35 | $50 |
| 1903 | 4,652,755 | $35 | $50 | $65 |
| 1903-S | 1,241,000 | $80 | $1,600 | $4,500 |
| 1903-O | 4,450,000 | $275 | $325 | $400 |
| 1904 | 2,788,650 | $30 | $65 | $140 |
| 1904-S | 2,304,000 | $40 | $50 | $2,000 |
| 1904-O | 3,720,000 | $30 | $40 | $55 |
| 1921 | 44,690,000 | $20 | $30 | $40 |
| 1921-S | 21,695,000 | $20 | $40 | $50 |
| 1921-D | 20,345,000 | $20 | $40 | $50 |
Price guide excludes all proofs and special varieties. Non-proof varieties are accounted for in annual mintage totals.
Prices derived from NGC Coin Explorer, PCGS price guide, and USA CoinBook.
The price chart above is provided for general information purposes. It should not be used or construed as investment advice.
Historical Significance of the Silver Morgan Dollar
Two pieces of legislation in the United States bookend the history of the Morgan dollar. These are the Bland-Allison Act and the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.
The Bland-Allison Act gave birth to the Morgan silver dollar. It marked the first $1 coin issued in the U.S. in five years (aside from the 'Trade dollar').
There was very little demand for dollar coins, however. In 1890, the Sherman Silver Purchase Act attempted to address this problem. The law required the U.S. government to buy $4 million of silver every month from miners in the American West.
The coin is named for its designer, George T. Morgan. His design of Lady Liberty was modeled after Anna Willess Williams. She was a teacher and writer in Philadelphia at the time.
1891 portrait of Anna Willess Williams. Image source: Chalkboard Champions
The 1921 Morgan dollar was the last coin in the series. That year also saw the introduction of the Peace dollar. The theme of 'peace' was a celebration of the end of the First World War.
Mintage: 20,345,000
Finest Known: MS68 (NGC) MS67+ (PCGS)
Auction Record: $44,063 (MS67)
The 1921-D Morgan dollar holds the distinction of being the only Morgan dollar from the Denver Mint. The Morgan dollar had ceased production in 1904, two years before the Denver Mint began operations. More powerful coin presses that could handle the striking of the large silver dollar were installed at the Denver Mint specifically for assisting in meeting the Congressional mandate of the Pittman Act.
Denver used the same shallow profile dies that had been cut for the other two U.S. Mints, but had better luck at coaxing out an acceptable strike than the San Francisco Mint.
The Value of A 1921-D Morgan Dollar
The 1921-D Morgan dollar is a common date, as the massive mintage would suggest. It is readily available in most grades. Millions were likely melted in WWII to meet the wartime silver shortage, but it's safe to assume that far fewer 1921 Morgan dollars were melted in Denver than were melted than at San Francisco and Philadelphia. San Francisco and Philadelphia were West Coast and East Coast wartime production hubs. It only made sense to melt down locally-sourced Morgan silver dollars than take up valuable rail capacity shipping silver from Denver.
1921-D Morgan Dollar Price Guide
| Very Fine | Extremely Fine | About Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $32 | $40 |
| Mint State 61 | Mint State 63 | Mint State 65 | Auction Record (MS67) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $60 | $250 | $44,063 |
The information on this page does not constitute an offer to buy or sell the coin(s) referred to. Statistics are for Mint State coins only. Proof and prooflike examples of this issue may have greater or lesser 'finest known' and different record auction prices.
Grading Morgan Dollars
The value of a Morgan dollar depends on its rarity and condition. Like anything else, the better the coin's condition, the more it is worth. Prices show a substantial jump as their condition reaches mid-level uncirculated grades.
Determining the condition of a coin is called 'grading.' The coin grading scale, for reasons too lengthy to cover here, goes from 1 to 70. A Mint State 70 coin (MS70) is completely flawless, even when examined under 5x magnification. This level of detail was impossible with the coining technology of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
THE HIGH POINTS WHERE SIGNS OF WEAR FIRST APPEAR ON MORGAN DOLLARS
There are a few high points on the Morgan dollar that will be worn down first. Other than rarity, the amount of wear in these high places is what drives most of the value of the coin.
- Top of cheek
- Brow
- Hairline
- Hair over ear
- Curls over date
- Top of cap
- Eagle's breast
- Eagle's legs
- Eagle's head
- Right wingtip
Note that some mintages of Morgan dollars may have been weakly struck at the Mint. Morgan dollars minted at the San Francisco and New Orleans Mints are more likely to have weak strikes than those produced at Philadelphia. A weakly struck Morgan dollar may be missing some fine detail, but this does not mean that the coin is worn. Be aware if the coin you are looking at is from a date known for weak strikes.
PRIME FOCAL AREAS ON MORGAN DOLLARS
There are certain places on a Morgan dollar where damage is far more noticeable. Damage in these 'focal areas' will affect the grade a Morgan dollar achieves, more than damage in other places.
- Face and neck of Liberty
- The field in front of Liberty's face
- Body and wings of the eagle
- Fields to sides of wings and above eagle's head
Very Fine
1921 Morgan Silver Dollar Value Ms63
A VF25 Very Fine Morgan dollar will have light to moderate wear. Wear will be greater on the high points of the coin. Bag marks or circulation damage may be present in prime focal areas, keeping this coin from a higher grade. High points will show some flattening and loss of detail, but all major and many minor details are still present. Most or all mint luster will be gone.
OBVERSE
Liberty's hair will show flatness along the hairline above the forehead, over the ear, and down next to the date. Liberty's cheek might show moderate abrasion. The top of Liberty's cap will show wear. The cotton bolls in Liberty's crown will have some minor detail worn away. The cotton leaves will also exhibit flatness.
REVERSE
The top of the eagle's breast and legs will be worn smooth. The head and neck will be worn, but not to the same extent. The talons will be flat. The leaves of the wreath will be distinct, but with many showing wear. All wing feathers will be present, but some will be missing detail. The right wingtip will be worn.
Extremely Fine
The XF45 Extremely Fine Morgan dollar will exhibit light wear overall, focused on the usual high points. Nearly all minor details are present and well defined. It might display up to half of the original mint luster. Again, marks or circulation damage may prevent this coin from earning a higher grade.
1921 Morgan Silver Dollar Value Clean
OBVERSE
Liberty's hairline is full, with some flatness on the high points above the eye and ear. The hair retains fine strands, giving the face a more detailed appearance. Mild wear has taken the luster from Liberty's cheek, but it retains its full shape. The cotton bolls are beginning to exhibit minor details. Flatness is evident on the top of the bolls and the edges of the cotton leaves. The high point of the cap is flat.
REVERSE
Feathers are beginning to show on the eagle's breast. The head and neck are more detailed, but retain some flatness. The legs show major details on the sides, but the tops are worn. The talons are slightly flat. Most wing feathers are well-defined. The right wing shows wear across 25% of the wing. The edge of the left wing will show some wear.
About Uncirculated
An AU55 About Uncirculated Morgan dollar will present very light friction or wear, but only on the high points. Mint luster should be complete, or nearly so. Scratches and marks should be small and unobtrusive. An AU55 Morgan dollar should present positive eye appeal, even when compared to low-grade Mint State coins.
OBVERSE
Slight rubbing or friction may be seen at the regular high points. Liberty's hair will display high detail. The cotton and wheat in the hairband will have full detail. The cheek may show impaired or missing luster.
REVERSE
The reverse should present full detail, aside from faint rubbing on the high points of the eagle (the head, breast, top of the legs, and talons.)
Mint State Morgan Dollars
Mint State (Uncirculated) coins are those that remained in sealed canvas Mint bags before being acquired by a coin collector. As a rule, these coins will have complete mint luster, and no 'post-Mint' damage. However, when talking about Mint State coins, 'uncirculated' does not mean 'undamaged.'
That last detail is important, because while Mint State Morgan dollars were never paid out (people preferred paper silver certificates), they could still see substantial damage from being slung around in the giant canvas bags the same way bags of quarters, nickels, dimes, and cents were. The damage coins receive from banging into one another is called 'bag marks.'
No matter how beat up a Morgan dollar looks, if there is no circulation wear and it retains mint luster, it will grade as Mint State. This is why Mint State coins are graded from MS60 (worst) to MS70 (perfect). Because Morgan dollars were handled like any other circulation coin, there will never be a perfect MS70 Morgan dollar
Mint State 61
A MS61 Mint State Morgan dollar will have substantial mint damage. Much of this damage will be in prime focal areas (see 'What Are The Prime Focal Areas On Morgan Dollars', above.) Many large and small bag marks, and even gouges make this coin unattractive. It is readily apparent when a coin is going to grade as low as MS61. Coin collectors will not waste money having such a coin professionally graded, unless it is a rare mintage.
Mint State 63
Mint State MS63 (and MS64) Morgan dollars are more attractive than lower grades, with good strikes and mint luster. They will still have enough marks or scuffs to be distracting. Some of these will be in prime focal areas. None will be heavy or particularly detracting. MS63 and MS64 are the most popular grades of Morgan dollars. They're nicer than the MS60-MS62 coins, and not nearly as expensive as MS65 ones.
Mint State 65
A Mint State 65 Morgan dollar is also known as 'Gem Uncirculated,' with good reason. It will have a sharp strike, and full, attractive luster. It will show scattered, light marks, with none in the prime focal areas. The eagle's breast or Liberty's cheek may display light friction from the time the coin spent in a bulk canvas bag in Treasury vaults The far higher attractiveness of a MS65 Morgan dollar explains the large difference in price when compared to a MS63 of the same date.
Mint State 66
MS66 Morgan dollars are rare, even when compared to a MS65. They will have a clean, sharp strike. The MS66 Morgan dollar boasts a pleasing, full original luster. It has very few, very light marks or imperfections that barely detract from the coin's very attractive appearance.