The 1921 Silver Dollar, including both the Morgan and Peace series, is a prized collectible in the world of numismatics. Collectors value these coins for their historical importance and rarity. Here’s why the 1921 Silver Dollar is considered exceptionally rare and valuable.
Reasons Why the 1921 Silver Dollar Is Rare
1. The End of the Morgan Dollar Era
The 1921 Silver Dollar marks a significant shift in U.S. coinage history. It was the final year of the Morgan Dollar and the first year of the Peace Dollar. The transition from the Morgan design to the Peace design makes the 1921 Morgan Dollar a key piece for collectors interested in this historic change.
2. Limited Production of High-Relief Peace Dollars
The Peace Dollar series started in 1921 with a high-relief design that was hard to strike. This resulted in a limited number of high-relief 1921 Peace Dollars before the design was changed in 1922. The rarity of these early high-relief Peace Dollars makes them highly sought after.
3. Mint Mark Variations and Their Rarity
In 1921, the Morgan Silver Dollar was minted in three locations: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). The San Francisco Mint produced the fewest Morgan Dollars, making the 1921-S Morgan Dollar particularly rare and valuable, especially in higher grades.
4. Effects of the Pittman Act
The Pittman Act of 1918 led to the melting of millions of silver dollars to support the Allied forces in World War I. This reduced the number of Morgan Dollars available today. The silver in the 1921 coins came from these melted coins, adding to their historical value.
5. High-Grade Specimens and Auction Records
High-grade examples of the 1921 Silver Dollar, especially those graded MS-65 or higher, are incredibly rare. Auction records show that these coins can fetch high prices. For example, a 1921 Morgan Dollar graded MS-68 sold for $660,000 in 2021. These high-grade coins are not only rare but also a significant investment.
1921 Silver Dollar Values by Mint and Grade
| Coin Type | Mint Mark | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-65 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1921 Morgan Dollar | No Mint | $40 | $58 | $150 | $13,500 |
| 1921 Morgan Dollar | D | $47 | $74 | $355 | $16,000 |
| 1921 Morgan Dollar | S | $47 | $80 | $750 | $25,000 |
| 1921 Peace Dollar | No Mint | $285 | $490 | $1,800 | $84,500 |
The 1921 Silver Dollar stands out in American history due to its unique position in U.S. coinage. Its historical significance, limited production, and high-grade rarity make it a valuable addition to any collection.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to numismatics, understanding what makes these coins rare can guide you in your collecting journey.
Why is the 1921 Silver Dollar so valuable?
The 1921 Silver Dollar is valuable due to its historical significance as the transition year between the Morgan and Peace Dollar series, its limited production, and its high-grade rarity.
What is the difference between the Morgan and Peace Dollars?
The Morgan Dollar was minted from 1878 to 1921, while the Peace Dollar began in 1921. The 1921 Silver Dollar is unique because it was the last year for the Morgan Dollar and the first year for the Peace Dollar.
How does the Pittman Act affect the 1921 Silver Dollar?
The Pittman Act led to the melting of millions of silver dollars to support the war effort in World War I. This reduced the number of Morgan Dollars available today, increasing the value of the 1921 Silver Dollar.
Which 1921 Silver Dollar is the rarest?
The 1921-S Morgan Dollar is the rarest due to its low mintage. High-grade examples of both the Morgan and Peace Dollars are also highly sought after.
What are the value ranges for different grades of the 1921 Silver Dollar?
Values vary significantly by grade and mint mark. For example, a 1921-S Morgan Dollar in MS-67 can be worth up to $25,000, while a 1921 Peace Dollar in MS-67 can fetch up to $84,500.
Hi, I have some old coin need you to see how much is worth. please contact me
Hello Jenny wong
Can you share your email id?
I have one ms63 1921 peace and several others that are not graded and 1922 peace dollar graded ms65 .Wonder what these would go for?
Hello William. Rosskelly
How many coins do you have?
No.comment
Thank you for the information.
It’s interesting to learn how world events have such an impact on the values of various coins.
Hello Tom Berge
It is important to know the effects of value of coins.
I have a 1921, 1923 silver, and a James Morgan gold dollar.
What would be the approximate value of each, and who would you recommend taking them too?
Coinhelpu.com ask for Daniel it’s a forum you can send him pics . Daniel runs a coin shop in Ohio called coin help u and a forum page with like 10 other admits that know their stuff big time.
Gd luck. Happy hunting.