Whitman Expo
1879-S One Dollar MS Values
Details
In 1879, the US Mint struck Morgan dollars with two distinct reverses, one with a flatter breast and flat feather atop the arrows (Reverse of 1878 or Second Reverse) and another with a rounder breast and a slanted feather atop the arrows (Reverse of 1879 or Third Reverse). The 1879-S Reverse of 1879 is an extremely common coin in all circulated grades and well into the Gem range, with even MS67s showing up with regular frequency. Amazingly, this piece is available in MS68 and even higher grades though is considerably rare at that level. PLs and DMPLs are reasonably common through MS66 and MS65, respectively, and then becomes much more challenging in grades above that range.
This coin is made of 90% silver; 10% copper and has a current melt value of $53.64
Obverse: Portrait of Liberty centered. On the left are found 7 stars with the words E*PLURIBUS*UNUM followed by 6 stars on the right. The date is positioned at the bottom.
Reverse: The heraldic eagle is centered holding a bunch of arrows and branch surrounded by and olive leaves. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * ONE DOLLAR frame the periphery. Mint mark, if any, appears above the letters DO of DOLLAR.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
9,110,000
Coinage Type:
Morgan silver dollar
Coinage Years:
1878-1921
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
Mint Mark:
S
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Weight:
26.73 gr
Weight:
0.8594 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.7734 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
38.1 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
George T. Morgan
Obverse Lettering:
E PLURIBUS UNUM, LIBERTY, 1879
Obverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST, ONE DOLLAR
Reverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
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