1897 $1 Morgan Dollar PCGS MS64

Key Features

1. Design:
   • Obverse: Features Lady Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with wheat and cotton, symbolizing agricultural abundance and freedom. Designed by George T. Morgan.
   • Reverse: Depicts a bald eagle with outstretched wings, holding an olive branch and arrows, symbolizing peace and strength.
   • Inscriptions: “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “ONE DOLLAR.”
2. Specifications:
   • Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper.
   • Weight: 26.73 grams (0.7734 troy ounces of silver).
   • Diameter: 38.1 mm.
   • Edge: Reeded.
3. Mint Marks:
   • Produced at:
     • Philadelphia (No mintmark) – 2,822,000 minted.

Grading and Condition

• PCGS MS64 (Mint State 64):
  • Indicates uncirculated quality, with no wear from circulation.
  • Luster: Strong, with full mint brilliance.
  • Marks: Minor contact marks or abrasions visible under magnification, but overall eye appeal remains excellent.
  • MS64 coins are considered high-grade collector coins, just below gem quality (MS65 or higher).

Historical Significance

• Late 19th-Century Coinage:
  • The Morgan Dollar was struck as part of the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, which required the U.S. Treasury to purchase silver and mint it into dollars.
  • The 1897 issue reflects the height of the Silver Dollar era, which symbolized U.S. economic strength during the late 1800s.
• Philadelphia Mint:
  • Coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint (no mintmark) tend to have better strikes and finer details due to the mint’s higher-quality equipment.

Conclusion

The 1897 $1 Morgan Dollar PCGS MS64 is a high-grade, collectible silver coin valued for its history, beauty, and silver content. Prices typically range from $150 to $300, depending on the mintmark and condition. It’s an excellent piece for collectors building Morgan Dollar sets or investors seeking semi-numismatic value.