1889 Morgan Silver Dollar (Note: This is a silver coin, not a gold item)
Coin · Not Applicable (Silver Coin)
Purity: Not Applicable (90% Silver, 10% Copper composition)
Type
Coin
Purity
Not Applicable (90% Silver, 10% Copper composition)
Gold Type
Not Applicable (Silver Coin)
Weight
26.73 grams (0.859 troy ounces total weight, containing 0.7734 oz of pure silver)
Description
An iconic 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar securely housed in a protective plastic capsule resting on paperwork. The obverse displays the classic left-facing profile of Liberty designed by George T. Morgan, encircled by thirteen stars, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the date 1889. The surface exhibits a typical silvery sheen with subtle peripheral toning, representing one of the most widely collected vintage American silver coins.
Key Features
Features the classic George T. Morgan Liberty head design, standard 90 percent silver composition, and high-relief detailing typical of late 19th-century US minting technology
Color & Finish
Silver-white with a metallic luster and minor characteristic toning or patina around the margins
Hallmarks & Stamps
No traditional hallmarks; features the designer's initial M on the truncation of the neck and reverse ribbon, with standard United States coin inscriptions
Dimensions Estimate
Diameter of 38.1 mm and thickness of approximately 2.4 mm, standard for US Morgan dollars
Gemstones & Inlays
None
Clasp & Closure
Protected in a transparent plastic coin capsule with a secure snap closure
Chain & Links
Not Applicable
Craftsmanship Details
Struck using high-pressure mechanical coin presses resulting in sharp details on Liberty's hair, cap, and the eagle on the reverse
Authentication Indicators
Correct diameter, reeded edge details, traditional weight specifications, and crisp relief lettering characteristic of genuine late-19th-century United States silver dollars
Origin & Maker
United States Mint (Philadelphia, Carson City, New Orleans, or San Francisco depending on mint mark)
Era & Period
Late 19th Century (Victorian/Gilded Age, struck in 1889)
Age Estimate
Dated 1889, approximately late 19th-century production
Cultural Significance
A quintessential symbol of the American Old West frontier economy, widely used in daily commerce and later treasured by numismatists as a staple of American monetary heritage
Condition Notes
Appears to be in circulated to about uncirculated condition with minor surface contact marks consistent with age, safely preserved inside an aftermarket plastic capsule
Value Estimate
Value is primarily based on silver melt value plus a numismatic premium depending on the specific mint mark and exact condition grade, generally ranging from $30 to over $100 for common circulated dates
Care & Maintenance
Keep stored inside protective archival capsules or holders; avoid touching the coin's surfaces with bare hands to prevent skin oils from causing unwanted toning or corrosion; never clean the coin, as harsh cleaning destroys numismatic value
Similar Items
Peace Silver Dollar, Walking Liberty Half Dollar, US Gold Eagle coins from the same era
Interesting Facts
The Morgan Dollar was named after its designer, George T. Morgan, and was minted from 1878 to 1904, and again briefly in 1921. Millions were melted down under the Pittman Act of 1918, making surviving specimens historically significant