Numismatic

1878-S Morgan Dollar MS-64 PCGS

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In 1878, the United States Mint introduced a new silver dollar design that would become an icon of American coinage. Minted in San Francisco, this early issue emerged during a period of massive silver discoveries, such as the Comstock Lode, and the passage of the Bland-Allison Act. Many of these early San Francisco strikes were stored away in government vaults for decades, allowing select specimens to survive in exceptional condition. This specific coin is certified in Mint State 64 (MS-64), showcasing the intricate details of George T. Morgan's design. The obverse features a left-facing profile of Lady Liberty. She wears a Phrygian cap adorned with a headband displaying the word 'LIBERTY' alongside a wreath woven with cotton and wheat. Thirteen stars encircle the portrait, with the date 1878 anchored at the bottom. On the reverse, a bald eagle holds arrows and an olive branch within a partial wreath. The inscriptions 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'ONE DOLLAR' frame the eagle, while the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' is positioned directly above its head. The 'S' mint mark below the wreath denotes its origin at the San Francisco Mint. Struck from 26.73 grams of 0.900 fine silver, this coin contains 0.7734 troy ounces of precious metal and measures 38.1 mm in diameter with a thickness of 3.1 mm.