1881-S Morgan $1 NGC MS65
In 1873, proponents of moving US coinage and currency to a gold standard crafted legislation that worked towards that aim. They were successful in eliminating the silver dollar coin, the largest silver coin in American coinage history.
But by 1878, the shortage of silver dollar coins was being felt and new opponents tried to change that situation. In 1878, the Bland-Allison Coinage Act re-established the silver dollar coin as the largest silver coin struck by the United States Mint. This Coinage Act (of 1878) was supported by farmers, merchants, and by mining interests in the American West. But this new law went much further than most people had expected. This law required the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase $2 million dollars’ worth of newly mined silver each month from the same western mining interests that supported the Act. That much silver would ensure a plentiful supply for decades.
The new silver dollar coins were first struck in 1878, in Philadelphia and at a few of the branch mints. In fact, they were minted annually through 1904. Because of World War I, the Mint was required to melt more than 250 million silver dollar coins, to be able to silver the raw metal to Great Britain, who needed to bolster its currency in India. So, Morgan Silver Dollars were struck once again in 1921.
George T. Morgan, the Assistant Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, created designs for both the obverse and the reverse. His obverse design depicted an older-looking Miss Liberty, facing to the left. She wore a slave cap on her head, and a crown comprised of cotton and wheat. She also wore a headband upon which the word “LIBERTY,” had been inscribed. On the upper periphery was inscribed the required motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The date that the coin was minted was placed on the lower periphery. In between that motto and the date were thirteen six-pointed stars – 7 on the left side, six on the right.
The reverse depicted an American Bald Eagle, facing left, which had been the traditional reverse side element, since 1794. The eagle’s wings were outstretched and raised upward. Placed between the wings, was the other traditional motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The eagle is centered within an olive wreath. It held three arrows in one talon, and an olive branch in her other talon. On the upper periphery is “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and the denomination “ONE DOLLAR,” was displayed on the lower periphery.
This coin was dated 1881, and it was struck by the San Francisco Mint, so there is an “S” mintmark underneath the eagle. The San Francisco Mint struck 12,760,000 silver dollar coins that year.
This coin is graded as MS65 by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), one of the three most popular and desirable grading services in existence. Coins graded as MS65 or higher are considered as ‘investment quality.”
Simply click the “Add to Cart” button now or call 1-800-880-4653 to speak to one of our highly trained numismatists, who will be happy to assist you.
But by 1878, the shortage of silver dollar coins was being felt and new opponents tried to change that situation. In 1878, the Bland-Allison Coinage Act re-established the silver dollar coin as the largest silver coin struck by the United States Mint. This Coinage Act (of 1878) was supported by farmers, merchants, and by mining interests in the American West. But this new law went much further than most people had expected. This law required the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase $2 million dollars’ worth of newly mined silver each month from the same western mining interests that supported the Act. That much silver would ensure a plentiful supply for decades.
The new silver dollar coins were first struck in 1878, in Philadelphia and at a few of the branch mints. In fact, they were minted annually through 1904. Because of World War I, the Mint was required to melt more than 250 million silver dollar coins, to be able to silver the raw metal to Great Britain, who needed to bolster its currency in India. So, Morgan Silver Dollars were struck once again in 1921.
George T. Morgan, the Assistant Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, created designs for both the obverse and the reverse. His obverse design depicted an older-looking Miss Liberty, facing to the left. She wore a slave cap on her head, and a crown comprised of cotton and wheat. She also wore a headband upon which the word “LIBERTY,” had been inscribed. On the upper periphery was inscribed the required motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” The date that the coin was minted was placed on the lower periphery. In between that motto and the date were thirteen six-pointed stars – 7 on the left side, six on the right.
The reverse depicted an American Bald Eagle, facing left, which had been the traditional reverse side element, since 1794. The eagle’s wings were outstretched and raised upward. Placed between the wings, was the other traditional motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The eagle is centered within an olive wreath. It held three arrows in one talon, and an olive branch in her other talon. On the upper periphery is “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and the denomination “ONE DOLLAR,” was displayed on the lower periphery.
This coin was dated 1881, and it was struck by the San Francisco Mint, so there is an “S” mintmark underneath the eagle. The San Francisco Mint struck 12,760,000 silver dollar coins that year.
This coin is graded as MS65 by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), one of the three most popular and desirable grading services in existence. Coins graded as MS65 or higher are considered as ‘investment quality.”
Simply click the “Add to Cart” button now or call 1-800-880-4653 to speak to one of our highly trained numismatists, who will be happy to assist you.
| Specifications | |
| Year | 1881-S |
| Denomination | One Dollar |
| Grade | MS65 |
| Country | United States of America |
| Grading Service | NGC |
| Weight | .77344 |
| Fineness | .900 Fine Silver |
| Diameter | 38.1 mm |
| Manufacturer | The United States Mint |
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