Numismatic

1881-S Morgan Dollar MS-66 NGC

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The 1881-S Morgan Dollar stands as a remarkable survivor from an era when silver cartwheels were a staple of daily commerce in America. For nearly eighty years, these heavy silver coins circulated throughout the nation, serving as a tangible backbone for everyday transactions. This specific piece, struck at the San Francisco Mint, contains 0.77344 troy ounces of silver with a purity of 0.900, representing the classic metallic standard of late nineteenth-century United States coinage. The obverse of the coin presents a left-facing portrait of Liberty, who wears a traditional Phrygian cap. Tucked into her hair band is the word "Liberty". Encircling this central image are thirteen stars, the date 1881, and the Latin motto "E Pluribus Unum". On the reverse, a bald eagle is depicted holding both an olive branch and arrows, symbolizing a desire for peace balanced with a readiness for defense. The reverse inscriptions include "United States of America", "One Dollar", and the motto "In God We Trust". Positioned below the eagle is the "S" mint mark, confirming its origin from the San Francisco facility. Graded Mint State 66 (MS-66), this coin showcases the exceptional preservation of its original design details.