US 1921 MORGAN DOLLAR SAN FRANSICO Mint
080-00460
the **1921-S Morgan Silver Dollar**, certified by NGC as **MS63**, holds a unique and storied position in the annals of American coinage. As the final year of the Morgan series, 1921 marked a dramatic comeback for the design after a 17-year hiatus. Because the original hubs had been destroyed years prior, the Mint had to create new master dies, resulting in the distinct "low relief" appearance characteristic of this year. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, the "S" mint mark on this specimen carries the legacy of the West Coast’s industrial contribution to the nation’s currency.
### Design and Visual Characteristics
The obverse features George T. Morgan’s iconic profile of Anna Willess Williams as Lady Liberty, adorned with a cap, wheat, and cotton—symbols of American agricultural prowess. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, surrounded by a wreath. At an **MS63** grade, this coin exhibits a pleasing "Choice Mint State" quality. The luster on 1921-S strikes is often described as "satiny" or "subdued" compared to the proof-like finishes of earlier years, giving the coin a sophisticated, frosted texture.
### Condition and Strike
For a 1921-S strike, finding a well-preserved MS63 example is a win for collectors. These coins were produced in massive quantities to replace silver melted under the Pittman Act of 1918, often resulting in "bag marks" from heavy contact during transport. An NGC MS63 grade ensures that while minor contact marks may exist, they do not overwhelm the central devices. The strike is typically consistent, showcasing the slightly shallower details that define the 1921 varieties.
### Historical Legacy
This coin represents the end of an era. As the Morgan Dollar was phased out in late 1921 to make way for the Peace Dollar, the 1921-S stands as a bridge between the 19th-century frontier spirit and the burgeoning modernity of the 1920s. For the collector, this piece is an essential "year-type" coin that captures the final breath of one of the world’s most beloved silver coin designs.
### Design and Visual Characteristics
The obverse features George T. Morgan’s iconic profile of Anna Willess Williams as Lady Liberty, adorned with a cap, wheat, and cotton—symbols of American agricultural prowess. The reverse displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, surrounded by a wreath. At an **MS63** grade, this coin exhibits a pleasing "Choice Mint State" quality. The luster on 1921-S strikes is often described as "satiny" or "subdued" compared to the proof-like finishes of earlier years, giving the coin a sophisticated, frosted texture.
### Condition and Strike
For a 1921-S strike, finding a well-preserved MS63 example is a win for collectors. These coins were produced in massive quantities to replace silver melted under the Pittman Act of 1918, often resulting in "bag marks" from heavy contact during transport. An NGC MS63 grade ensures that while minor contact marks may exist, they do not overwhelm the central devices. The strike is typically consistent, showcasing the slightly shallower details that define the 1921 varieties.
### Historical Legacy
This coin represents the end of an era. As the Morgan Dollar was phased out in late 1921 to make way for the Peace Dollar, the 1921-S stands as a bridge between the 19th-century frontier spirit and the burgeoning modernity of the 1920s. For the collector, this piece is an essential "year-type" coin that captures the final breath of one of the world’s most beloved silver coin designs.
| Additional Information | |
|---|---|
| COUNTRY | USA |
| DENOMINATION | $1 |
| EdgeItemKey | 001-080-00460 |
| GRADE | MS63 |
| Inventory Type | Stock |
| MINT MARK | SAN FRANSICO |
| stone info | [] |
| Vendor Style Code | 1921-S MORGAN |
| YEAR | 1921 |
