Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 | Silver $26.90
- Therefore, Morgan had to recreate entirely new master dies for the 1921 issue. This is why the 1921 Morgan dollars look very different from the earlier issues. Almost 21.7 million Morgans were struck in San Francisco this year, the most silver dollars ever struck in a year in San Francisco.
- Morgan Dollar (1878-1921) Melt Value: $20.90 Last Updated: 2/6/2021 7:16 AM EST This page shows trends for Morgan Dollar melt values. A coin's numismatic value may be higher than its melt value. See pricing for U.S. Silver Coins in the NGC US Coin Price Guide. Coin Specifications.
- Type: Morgan Silver Dollar Year: 1921 Mint Mark: No mint mark Face Value: 1.00 USD Total Produced: 44,690,000 Silver Content: 90% Silver Weight.7735 oz. Silver Melt: $20.68.
Type: Morgan Silver Dollar Year: 1921 Mint Mark: No mint mark Face Value: 1.00 USD Total Produced: 44,690,000 Silver Content: 90% Silver Weight.7735 oz. Silver Melt: $20.68 Value: As a rough estimate of this coins value you can assume this coin in average condition will be valued at somewhere around $28, while one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $120 at auction. The Birth of America's beautiful Morgan Dollar – Minted from 1878-1904, and once again in 1921, the Morgan silver dollar is one of America's most popular collectible coins. To fully understand the history of these 90% silver beauties, we first have to go back to the era of our nation's great gold and silver rushes – particularly 1859 and the great Comstock Lode!
Popular and always in demand, minimum Morgan silver dollar values begin at $24.55 for a heavily worn example. Many date and mintmark combination are worth well above minimum value. A step by step approach identities key dates, mintmarks, and helps judge collector quality condition.
Steps Leading to Value:
- Step 1: Date and Mintmark Variety - Many dates are common, many are scarce to rare, mintmarks are also identified.
- Step 2: Grading Condition - Higher value follows higher condition. Images, video, and descriptions help narrow grade range.
- Step 3: Special Qualities - Collector quality is highly prized. Separate coins trading at silver value from higher demand examples.
Collected today by date and mintmark, collectors form sets including each year and mint. Each combination is valued separately because of availability, many are highly valued. Further judgement of condition and surface preservation is needed to narrow how much a Morgan silver dollar is worth. Step 1 follows the value chart.
Morgan Silver Dollar Values 1878 to 1921 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Condition of Coin | ||||
Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Mint State |
Morgan Silver Dollar Values | 2/8/2021 | |||
1878 8TF | $34.96 | $39.67 | $42.58 | $166 |
1878 7/8TF | $32.95 | $34.96 | $39.67 | $148 |
1878 7TF | $28.24 | $34.96 | $37.09 | $73.19 |
1878 CC | $67 | $98 | $118 | $272 |
1878 S | $28.24 | $29.58 | $37.09 | $66.53 |
1879 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $56.13 |
1879 CC | $95 | $148 | $878 | $3,482 |
1879 O | $28.24 | $29.58 | $34.96 | $89.84 |
1879 S | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $53.08 |
1880 | $25.44 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $56.13 |
1880 CC | $98 | $129 | $185 | $333 |
1880 O | $27.01 | $28.24 | $31.15 | $89.84 |
1880 S | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1881 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $53.08 |
1881 CC | $194 | $232 | $261 | $330 |
1881 O | $27.01 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $51.74 |
1881 S | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1882 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $53.08 |
1882 CC | $67 | $71 | $115 | $153 |
1882 O | $27.01 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $53.08 |
1882 S | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $53.08 |
1883 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1883 CC | $62 | $73 | $94 | $154 |
1883 O | $27.01 | $28.24 | $31.15 | $51.74 |
1883 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $39.67 | $732 |
1884 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1884 CC | $60 | $76 | $103 | $159 |
1884 O | $27.01 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $51.74 |
1884 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $51.10 | Rare |
1885 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1885 CC | $322 | $348 | $395 | $408 |
1885 O | $27.01 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $51.74 |
1885 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $51.10 | $179 |
1886 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1886 O | $27.01 | $28.24 | $39.67 | $691 |
1886 S | $37.09 | $51.10 | $76 | $227 |
1887 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1887 O | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $73.19 |
1887 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $34.96 | $96 |
1888 | $25.44 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $53.08 |
1888 O | $27.01 | $28.24 | $29.58 | $56.13 |
1888 S | $45 | $57 | $87 | $202 |
1889 | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $51.74 |
1889 CC | $346 | $494 | $1,925 | Rare |
1889 O | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $168 |
1889 S | $34.96 | $51.10 | $53 | $159 |
1890 | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $53.08 |
1890 CC | $61 | $76 | $99 | $351 |
1890 O | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $79.27 |
1890 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $66.53 |
1891 | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $66.53 |
1891 CC | $66 | $90 | $136 | $415 |
1891 O | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $144 |
1891 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $73.19 |
1892 | $31.15 | $32.95 | $42.58 | $216 |
1892 CC | $98 | $129 | $293 | $1,117 |
1892 O | $25.44 | $31.15 | $37.09 | $203 |
1892 S | $29.58 | $37.09 | $150 | Rare |
1893 | $114 | $127 | $259 | $762 |
1893 CC | $154 | $262 | $821 | $3,238 |
1893 O | $121 | $168 | $353 | $2,687 |
1893 S | $1,612 | $2,610 | $5,220 | Rare |
1894 | $372 | $460 | $584 | $2,053 |
1894 O | $34.96 | $42.58 | $68 | $1,236 |
1894 S | $39.67 | $51.10 | $154 | $595 |
1895 O | $127 | $157 | $372 | Rare |
1895 S | $139 | $282 | $662 | $3,027 |
1896 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1896 O | $31.15 | $32.95 | $39.67 | $1,034 |
1896 S | $31.15 | $32.95 | $190 | $1,831 |
1897 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1897 O | $25.44 | $29.58 | $39.67 | $692 |
1897 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $66.53 |
1898 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1898 O | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1898 S | $28.24 | $32.95 | $42.58 | $214 |
1899 | $40 | $81 | $82 | $159 |
1899 O | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1899 S | $31.15 | $32.95 | $51.10 | $297 |
1900 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1900 O | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1900 S | $28.24 | $32.95 | $42.58 | $183 |
1901 | $28.24 | $34.96 | $62 | $2,660 |
1901 O | $27.01 | $28.24 | $29.58 | $51.74 |
1901 S | $29.58 | $32.95 | $51.10 | $376 |
1902 | $27.01 | $31.15 | $37.09 | $56.13 |
1902 O | $27.01 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $53.08 |
1902 S | $51.10 | $70 | $125 | $228 |
1903 | $32.95 | $37.09 | $39.67 | $73.19 |
1903 O | $241 | $277 | $292 | $310 |
1903 S | $51.10 | $82 | $211 | $4,178 |
1904 | $28.24 | $31.15 | $37.09 | $89.84 |
1904 O | $27.01 | $31.15 | $34.96 | $53.08 |
1904 S | $31.15 | $37.09 | $241 | $2,671 |
1921 | $24.55 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $45.19 |
1921 D | $24.55 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $49.49 |
1921 S | $24.55 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $49.49 |
The above are wholesale Morgan Silver Dollar Values. Computed from dealer's price lists with various mark-up factors figured in. They reflect closely the value you would expect to receive when selling.
Variations in value do occur subject to subtle grading points, collector demands and dealer needs.
Although these are wholesale Morgan silver dollar values, realize your coins are very popular and in strong demand.
Step 1: | Date and Mintmark Variety are Identified
One of the features of the Morgan dollar is the fine detail throughout the design. Liberty is adorned with a Liberty cap and band with 'Liberty' inscribed. Above the band are wheat heads with easily recognizable grains and leaves. Cotton bolls and cotton leaves within the design, are also well detailed. A standing eagle on the reverse with wings upright is a strong symbol of national pride and National bird. A preference for peace is represented by an olive branch and ability to defend is noted by the eagle holding three arrows.
Mints and Mintmarks of the Morgan Silver Dollar Series
Morgan silver dollars enjoy a large following of collectors. Sets of the coins typically include each date and mintmark variety. Five mints were involved in production of the series over the years 1878 to 1921. Each mint variety is valued by demand on supplies and condition of the coin. Mintmarks were used by the branch mints to indicate their production, and are key to Morgan silver dollar values.
'CC' Mintmark: Carson City Mint Struck the Coin
Carson City Morgan dollars are both very popular with collectors and are the scarce mintmark variety. Minted in only 13 years of the series, the mint's total production was 13.8 million coins, lowest of all mints. Each Carson City dollar is a premium coin in all grades. Lowest coinage years 1881, 1885, and 1889 are very scarce. High condition examples are closely judged and graded.
Carson City mint used a 'CC' mintmark to identify its production. On the reverse under the bow tying the olive wreath a 'CC' mintmark is a Carson City silver dollar.
'S' Mintmark: San Francisco Mint Struck the Coin
San Francisco is the only mint that struck coins for circulation every year of the Morgan Dollar series. A complete date run of San Francisco variety dollars is a popular sub-collection. To complete the collection an 1893-S dollar is needed, the key high value coin to the series. 100,000 were minted, lowest mintage of any variety, all are highly sought.
San Francisco mint placed a small 'S' mintmark on coins. On the reverse, under the bow a 'S' mark confirms the San Francisco mint struck the coin.
'O' Mintmark: New Orleans Mint Struck the Coin
New Orleans mint was also a great contributor to the Morgan dollar series. Striking coins in all but two years, its coinage total was second of the mints. Striking millions of silver dollars most years, just over 186 million coins were produced. Two dates standout as very scarce and valuable, 1893 a low of 300,000 coins minted and 1895 another unusually low 450,000 coined. Both are avidly sought and demand on the limited numbers show in premium values on the chart.
An 'O' mintmark was used by the New Orleans mint on its coinage. This mintmark is found on the reverse, below the ribbon tying the wreath.
'D' Mintmark: Denver Mint Struck the Coin
The Denver mint was called upon to strike silver dollars in one year of the series, 1921. Carson City and New Orleans mints were both closed and Denver contributed over 20 million 1921 silver dollars. These coins represent a unique one-year only variety with a strong demand. With the large supply, values are affordable, placing the coin on want lists of most collectors.
Denver mint used a 'D' mintmark to indicate its production. On the reverse under the ribbon tying the wreath, look for the 'D' mintmark of the Denver mint.
No Mintmark: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin
Philadelphia struck just over 305 million Morgan silver dollars of the total 657 million struck from all mints combined. These huge numbers are reflected in affordable values on the chart for most dates. Most years Philadelphia struck multi-million silver dollars, many years, tens of millions of coins. 1893, 1894, and 1899 are the scare issues matching low mintage years. Philadelphia issues are judge carefully to recognize high grade examples that break away from bullion value to collector premium values.
Philadelphia continued the trend of no mintmark on its coinage with the Morgan silver dollar series. In the space below the ribbons tying the bow, and just above the 'DO' of 'Dollar', no mintmark confirms the Philadelphia mint struck the coin.
Step 2: | Judging Condition | Identify Grade | Determine Value
These old dollars are inspected closely and evaluated for wear and overall condition. The process is known as 'Grading' a coin. The condition of a coin and the resulting grade have a large impact on Morgan silver dollar values.
Morgan Silver Dollar Values are Conditional
Compare your coins to the grading images below. Inspect both obverse and reverse to judge an overall condition. For the obverse; focus on the hair above the forehead, wear presents there first. On the reverse feather details wear quickly and are a key factor to grade.
A single light source such as a table/desk lamp is ideal to help cast a light brining out subtle details. Along with a magnifying glass to get in close and recognize finer details separating grades.
Mint State Grade: Morgan Silver Dollar
Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: Absence of wear to the surface defines the Mint State grade. Minting of coins imparts a luster to the surface and is what gives a Morgan dollar its shine. Rotating and tilting under a light causes the luster to move across the surface. Any breaks in luster - due to wear - causes a dullness to the surface.
1921 S Morgan Silver Dollar Value
Judge Liberty's cheek, a mint state coin is lustrous across all areas.
Just above her forehead, fine strands of hair are high in relief. These waves of hair remain fully covered in the fine texture imparted during the minting process. All parts of the hair remain without dulling to the high points.
Cotton leaves, blossoms, and wheat grains form a wreath above the hair and all fine edges of the design are without any signs of smoothing due to wear.
Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: Delicate areas are inspected to identify absence of wear. Many small high relief points are part of the design of the eagle and leaves in the wreath, all are inspected.
Feathers on the Eagle's neck are centrally located, prone to first wear. Look close to confirm original mint luster and texture remains.
Tips of both wings on a mint state coin are rounded in profile with no flat spots, especially towards the ends.
Leaves in the wreath have fine edges and small contoured designs, forming high and low areas. All parts of the leaves are without any dulling and smooth spots.
Extremely Fine Grade: Morgan Silver Dollar
Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Wear has begun to smooth and flatten the very tops of design details. Most luster is gone.
Hair above Liberty's forehead is showing a few flat areas. Along the tops of the waves are areas where the fine lines have merged. Waves remain with a high profile.
Just in front of the ear, hair is raised and separated form cheek.
Cotton leaves are smooth along the edges but are well defined from the cap.
Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Light wear is causing small disconnected flat areas over the feathers and leaves.
Neck feathers are will defined. Flatness is on tops of feathers and little evidence of merging is noted.
Wing feathers are slightly flattened on upper edges only. Each feather is bold and separated form the next. View along the top edge of wings, feather detail show.
All leaves of the wreath are bold with central line detail. No merging of individual leaves, wear is confined to just upper edges.
Fine Grade: Morgan Silver Dollar
Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Flat areas are beginning to dominate the surface of a Morgan dollar in Fine grade.
Above Liberty's forehead many of the waves of hair are flat with only a few fine inner lines remaining. Hair directly above eye is well raised and separate of forehead.
Her ear is still bold in detail, however just above is a large flat area. Flatness continues towards the temple with hair blending with the cheek and temple.
Outlines of the two cotton blossoms and all leaves remain. Very faint but visible are the two lower cotton leaves.
Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: A bold eagle remains on the reverse with most of the feather detail still clear.
Neck feathers are now smooth in the center from head to chest. Legs of the eagle are also smooth with only slight details to sides of legs.
Wing feathers are complete over most of both wings. Some blending of feather lines is seen on the left wing, confined towards the top.
Leaves of the wreath are well detailed, merging of edges is minimal. Lower leaves within the groups are very bold.
Good Grade: Morgan Silver Dollar
Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Once a silver dollar is worn to a mostly flat surface lacking detail to Liberty, a Good grade is assigned to its condition.
Some detail remains in the hair above the date. Liberty's portrait is well outline and somewhat bold from the field of the coin.
Lettering of the legend is complete and readable. Additionally, all stars are visible, raised above the field and separate of the rim.
Two cotton blossoms just below the letters of 'Liberty' are recognizable.
Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: All major designs on the reverse are recognizable. An eagle is complete, lettering is readable and the wreath remains boldly outlined.
Tips to the eagle's wing are outlined and free of the rim. The right wing is often just touching the rim.
Feather details remain visible on the lower parts of wings. Tail feathers are clearly defined.
Many of the leaves of the wreath are flattened into groups but the wreath is complete in outline, no merging with the field.
Tops of lettering is free of the rim along most of the Legend. One or two slight connections of the letters to the rim are the result of striking weakness in the area. Note: Wide spread fading of the legend into the rim indicates a lower condition coin.
How to Video: Grading Morgan Silver Dollars
An accurate grade of silver dollars is needed to place an accurate value on the coin. How to grade Morgan silver dollars follows a process judging the surface of the coin, comparing it to the video, images and descriptions.
Step 3: | Special Qualities Enhancing Value
Coins falling in the $24.55 to $27.01 range on the above value chart are bullion quality silver dollars. These are priced and traded based on silver content of the coin. When minted Morgan dollars contain .773 ounces of silver. Quality of preservation is what separates most silver dollars from bullion to collector appeal and premium value.
A few key elements are easily recognized to help judge a premium collector Morgan dollar. Date and mintmark quickly determine base value. Next, aesthetics often decide value. Aesthetics and eye appeal are the evaluation of surface qualities and overall 'look' of the coin.
Both of the imaged coins are Extremely Fine grade, the technical amount of wear to the surface. Differences in the appearance and eye appeal are now judged. Many collectors favor the soft grey-tan toning over the dark, mottled colors of the second dollar. Aesthetics now determine marketability of the dark coin, often lessening its appeal.
Also, easily to recognize are eye distracting marks. If a mark, scratch, or rim bruise is noticeable, it immediately lowers eye appeal.
Placing yourself in the eye of a collector, both examples are the same date, mintmark, and grade. Looking closely at the chest of the eagle, on the second coin a noticeable deep mark is clearly visible. Marks of this type are the deciding factor in eye appeal to collectors. Recognizing coins with outstanding aesthetics separates bullion from collector quality.
References
US Mint. 1948 US Mint Annual Report. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/339
US Mint. Catalogue of Coins of the United States. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591
US Mint. Symbols on Our Coins https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/us-circulating-coins
Coin Values | CoinStudy Articles
Date by Date
In Depth Morgan Silver Dollar Value
1878 to 1921
1878 | 1885 | 1892 | 1899 |
1879 | 1886 | 1893 | 1900 |
1880 | 1887 | 1894 | 1901 |
1881 | 1888 | 1895 | 1902 |
1882 | 1889 | 1896 | 1903 |
1883 | 1890 | 1897 | 1904 |
1884 | 1891 | 1898 | 1921 |
Professional evaluation of many dates within the Morgan dollar series is important because of potential high value. If your coin is listed with a large value jump from one grade to the next, having the coin graded by a service leads to certainty of value.
Professional Coin Grading Services and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation are the top two services and both authenticate and grade your coin. Each place the coin in a special holder improving marketability. Coin Grading Services gives an insight to these services.
A step by step method combined with the coin value online guide identifies how to value a coin collection. Discover how much your box of old coins is worth.
Coin values spanning 140 years. Discover the many rare dates, mintmarks and varieties. Next, 'Grading' Images to evaluate the condition of your coins and find the true value of your silver dollars. From early dollars in 1794 to the Liberty Seated variety 1840-1873. Next the ever popular Morgan Dollar to the Peace Dollars ending in 1935.
Many of your old US silver coin values are tied closely to the price of silver. Pre 1965 silver dimes, quarters, half dollars and silver dollars are all heavy with 90% silver and worth many times their face value. With today's high value of silver; $26.90 per ounce as of 2/8/2021 your old silver dollars are becoming surprisingly valuable.
1921 Morgan Silver Dollar Value
Selling coins for the highest price is achieved with planning. Research and organize well, value your coins accurately, and then finding and selling to the right buyer equals excellent results.
★Coin Values Discovery finds Morgan Silver Dollar Values and..
All old US coin values. It is an excellent index with images and text links to all coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts, grading images and a step by step procedure uncovers how much your box of old coins is worth.
Print the Coin Values Worksheet to list your Morgan silver dollars and record their values. Should you decide to sell.. use the worksheet as an invoice and packing slip when sending coins through the mail to dealers. It indicates you have done your coin values homework.
Mintage: 44,690,000 Best cricket score app for betting.
Finest Known: MS67 (NGC) MS67 (PCGS)
Auction Record: $19,975 (MS67)
The 1921 Morgan dollar produced at the Philadelphia Mint was the largest single mintage at any Mint in the long history of this coin. Philadelphia struck more than twice the Morgan dollars in 1921 than the San Francisco and Denver Mints.
1921 Morgan Silver Dollar Value Ms 63
Accordingly, this is an imminently available mintage. The very shallow dies used for the 1921 Morgans translates into a coin with above average volumes and below average eye appeal, even when fully struck.
The Value of A 1921 Morgan Dollar
Being the single largest production of Morgan dollars in history, 'rarity' is not a word that can be used to describe the 1921 Morgan. Contemporary reports note that the Philadelphia Mint was striking more than a quarter million Morgan dollars a day at the height of production. Under conditions like that, there was little attention paid to replacing worn out dies.
1921 Morgan Dollar Price Guide
Very Fine 25 | Extremely Fine 45 | About Uncirculated 55 |
---|---|---|
$25 | $25 | $30 |
Mint State 61 | Mint State 63 | Mint State 65 | Auction Record (MS67) |
---|---|---|---|
$35 | $50 | $125 | $19,975 |
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
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.
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.
1921 Morgan Silver Dollar Value Denver
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.
1921 Morgan Silver Dollar Value Ms63
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.