The last US silver dollar design released broadly into circulation in the United States was the Peace Silver Dollar. Designed in 1921 by Anthony de Francisci, the design is renowned for its imagery honoring the hard-earned peace following World War I. Issued a total of 10 times, the Peace Silver Dollar is a beautiful interpretation of American Liberty.
When the United States Mint resumed production of silver dollars in 1921, the mint opted to revive the Morgan Dollar design. At this time, George T. Morgan was serving as the 7th Chief Engraver of the US Mint and redeveloped the dies to use in striking the coins. However, the American public was eager to see a new design for the silver dollar, and the general consensus was that new design should somehow honor the peace earned through the United States’ involvement in World War I in Europe.
Anthony de Francisci’s design was chosen as a the result of an artistic competition to serve as the new obverse and reverse of the silver dollar. On December 28, 1921, the new Peace Silver Dollar went into production. On the obverse, Lady Liberty’s head is shown in left-profile relief with free-flowing hair and a towering crown of light on her head. The reverse of the coin features the American bald eagle perched on a rock ledge. The eagle is at peace, resting with its wings at its side as it faces the rising sun in the distance and clutches an olive branch in its talons.
The Peace Silver Dollar debuted in 1921, with just over 1 million coins issued. The coins were annually struck from 1921 to 1928, with the final production of the coins coming in 1934 and 1935. In total, there are 10 dates of Peace Silver Dollars available and the highest minted date was the 1922 Peace Silver Dollar. In total, 84.235 million coins were issued in 1922, with the Philadelphia Mint alone striking 51.737 million coins.
In 2021, the United States Mint reintroduced by the Peace Silver Dollar. While the original coins were 90% silver specimens with .7734 Troy oz of actual silver, the modern silver bullion Peace Dollar has .859 Troy oz of .999 pure silver. The coins continue to see production at the US Mint in BU and proof versions.
Whether it’s the original Peace Silver Dollar or the modern bullion version of the Peace Dollar, you’ll find certified versions of those coins. These certifications come primarily from the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), with original Peace Silver Dollars from the early 20th century often featuring Mint State 65 as the highest grade, while the modern coins are available in MS69 and MS70 grades.
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