At noon on May 24, 2021, the United States Mint released two .999 fine uncirculated silver dollar coins, the first two honoring the centennial of the Morgan dollar’s reintroduction. The coins each have a privy mark–“O” and “CC”, respectively–placed beneath the wreath on the reverse in place of the New Orleans and Carson City mint marks that appeared on the dollars struck at those facilities in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Both dollars have a Product Limit of 175,000 coins, with household ordering limits of 25 coins.
The coins are the latest in a series of commemorative releases by the mint that began with the 2009 American Innovation dollar coin. That year, the mint released four different versions of the Innovation dollar, each with a unique privy mark (an eagle’s head, a “U” for union, a cogwheel representing industry, or a torch representing enlightenment). The coins were followed by a series of “I” privy mark dollars in 2010 (for innovation), 2011 (for investment), 2012 (for independence), and 2013 (for ingenuity).The “O” privy mark on the 2021 Morgan dollar pays tribute to the historic New Orleans Mint, while the “CC” privy mark on the 2021 Morgan dollar honors the Carson City Mint. These two mints produced some of the most iconic and popular coins in American history, and their reintroduction into circulation is a cause for celebration among numismatists and collectors alike.
The obverse of each coin features a profile representing Liberty, modeled by Anna Willess Williams. The reverse depicts depicts an eagle with wings outstretched and a wreath made up of laurel branches and oak leaves, with the privy or mint mark placed beneath it. The coins are struck in brilliant uncirculated condition, providing collectors with a beautiful addition to their collections.
The Morgan dollar, first struck in 1878, was America’s most widely circulated silver coin for over two decades. The Carson City Mint, which began operations in 1870, produced some of the earliest Morgans and is especially renowned among collectors for its high-quality coins. The New Orleans Mint also played a significant role in the production of Morgans, striking nearly half of all coins minted between 1878 and 1904.
The Peace dollar was first struck in 1921 to commemorate the end of World War I. Its design is based on that of the Morgan dollar, with a few modifications: Liberty’s hair is styled differently, and the reverse features an eagle clutching an olive branch instead of a wreath. The Peace dollar was only minted for a few years before the onset of the Great Depression led to its discontinuation.
Unique Privy Marks
In addition to the standard 2021 Morgan Silver Dollars, the Mint will also release coins with unique privy marks.
The "D" privy mark featuring coins made by the Denver Mint facility.
The "S" privy mark featuring coins made by the San Francisco Mint facility.
The Philadelphia Mint produced three versions:
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The "CC" privy mark will be featured on coins struck at the Philadelphia branch of the Mint to honor the beloved but no longer operating Carson City Mint.
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The "O" privy mark will also be featured on Philadelphia-struck Morgans to honor the fabled New Orleans Mint. Both privy marked Morgans will be struck at the Philadelphia branch of the United States Mint.
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One without a mint mark is included to recognize the historic Philadelphia Mint mark.
Specifications
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Composition: 99.9% Silver
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Silver Weight: 0.858 troy oz.
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Finish: Uncirculated
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Diameter: 1.500 inches (38.10 mm)
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Edge: Reeded
The release of these two coins is sure to be popular among collectors and numismatists alike. Order yours today and add a piece of history to your collection!
Take a look at the featured coin collection!