Numismatic

1881-S Morgan Dollar MS-64 PL PCGS

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Struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1881, this Morgan silver dollar is a remarkable survivor from an era when these heavy silver pieces served as active United States currency. This particular coin has been graded Mint State 64 with a prooflike designation, meaning its fields possess a highly reflective, mirror-like quality that contrasts beautifully with the frosted details of the design. The obverse displays a left-facing portrait of Liberty, who wears a Phrygian cap adorned with a band inscribed with the word "Liberty". Surrounding her profile are thirteen stars, the national motto "E Pluribus Unum", and the 1881 date of mintage. This classic representation of freedom remains one of the most recognizable images in American coinage. On the reverse, a bald eagle is depicted with its wings spread, clutching an olive branch of peace and a bundle of arrows symbolizing strength. The eagle is encircled by the inscriptions "United States of America", "One Dollar", and the motto "In God We Trust". Just below the wreath, the "S" mint mark indicates its origin from the San Francisco facility. Containing 0.7734 troy ounces of 90 percent pure silver, this coin represents a design that circulated throughout the nation for nearly eighty years.