What Years Were Silver Dollars Made?

United States silver dollars represent American history and economic development. These substantial coins, made of precious metal, have long fascinated collectors and the public. They reflect periods of national growth, coinage innovation, and monetary policy shifts. Exploring these silver dollars connects us to different eras of the nation’s past and the U.S. Mint’s evolving artistry.

Major Types of US Silver Dollars and Their Mintage Years

The history of US silver dollars begins with the Flowing Hair dollar, minted from 1794 to 1795. It featured Liberty with flowing hair and an eagle with a wreath. These early dollars were composed of approximately 90% silver. It was quickly succeeded by the Draped Bust dollar, produced from 1795 to 1804, depicting Liberty with a draped bust and an eagle.

Following a significant gap, the Seated Liberty dollar was struck from 1840 to 1873. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, this coin showcased Liberty seated on a rock. It contained 90% silver and 10% copper. The Coinage Act of 1873 temporarily ended its mintage for circulation.

The Trade dollar, minted from 1873 to 1885, was primarily intended for commerce in East Asia. Designed by William Barber, it featured a seated Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. Although business strikes ceased in 1878, proof coins continued to be minted until at least 1883.

The Morgan dollar, named after its designer George T. Morgan, was minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. Its iconic design features a profile of Lady Liberty and an eagle with outstretched wings.

The Peace dollar, designed by Anthony de Francisci, was minted for circulation from 1921 to 1928 and resumed production from 1934 to 1935. Its obverse displays Liberty with a radiate crown, while the reverse shows an eagle at rest with an olive branch, symbolizing peace. It was the last circulating U.S. dollar coin made of 90% silver. Modern collectible versions were reissued starting in 2021.

While most Eisenhower dollars, produced from 1971 to 1978, were copper-nickel clad, special collector editions were struck with 40% silver content. The American Silver Eagle, first issued in 1986, is a modern bullion coin. It contains one troy ounce of .999 fine silver and continues to be minted annually.

Key Dates and Notable Varieties

Within the various series of U.S. silver dollars, certain years and specific varieties stand out due to their limited mintage, unique characteristics, or historical significance.

For the Seated Liberty dollar, the 1870-CC (Carson City) is particularly rare due to its low production numbers. The 1873-S is another scarce issue, as it was struck in limited quantities just before the Coinage Act of 1873 effectively halted the series. The 1858 Seated Liberty dollar is notable because only proof versions were produced for that year.

The Trade dollar series includes its own rarities, such as the 1878-CC. This is considered the rarest business strike with a low mintage of 97,000, many of which were subsequently melted. The 1884 and 1885 Trade dollars are extremely rare proof coins that were not officially recorded at the time of their striking, adding to their intrigue.

Among Morgan dollars, the 1893-S is widely recognized as the lowest mintage regular-issue coin in the series. Only 100,000 were struck at the San Francisco Mint, and a small number are believed to have survived. The 1889-CC (Carson City) is another significant rarity, known for its low mintage of 350,000 coins. The 1895 (Proof) is often referred to as the “King of Morgan Dollars” because no business strikes were officially issued that year, with only 880 proof coins produced.

In the Peace dollar series, the 1921 issue is distinct as it was the only year struck in high relief. This design feature proved difficult for mass production. The 1928-P (Philadelphia) is considered a key date due to its exceptionally low mintage of 360,649 coins, making it one of the scarcest regular-issue Peace dollars. The 1934-S is also valued for its relative scarcity, particularly in higher collectible grades.

Locating the Date and Mint Mark on Your Coin

When examining a silver dollar, the date of mintage is typically found on the obverse, usually positioned below the image of Liberty or a central figure. Mint marks are small letters that identify the branch mint where the coin was produced. Common mint marks include “S” for San Francisco, “D” for Denver, “O” for New Orleans, and “CC” for Carson City. Coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint generally do not carry a mint mark.

For Morgan Dollars, the mint mark is located on the reverse side of the coin, positioned below the eagle and just above the letters “D” and “O” in the word “DOLLAR.” On Peace Dollars, the mint mark can be found on the reverse, typically above the tip of the eagle’s wings, or sometimes described as below the word “ONE” and to the left of the eagle’s tail feathers.

Seated Liberty Dollars usually have their mint mark on the reverse, below the eagle, often situated between its feet and the olive branch. For Trade Dollars, the mint mark is also on the reverse, near the bottom, directly above the words “TRADE DOLLAR.” Eisenhower Dollars have their mint mark on the obverse, placed below Eisenhower’s bust and above the date.