Numismatic

1896-S Morgan Dollar VF

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The 1896 Morgan silver dollar, minted in San Francisco, represents a classic era of American coinage. Struck with a purity of 90 percent silver, each coin contains 0.7734 troy ounces of precious metal. This particular issue had a total mintage of 5,000,000 pieces, making it a compelling subject for study, especially when preserved in a Very Fine grade where the design details remain distinct and readable. On the obverse side, the profile of Liberty faces left, adorned with a Phrygian cap that displays the word LIBERTY along her hair band. This side is framed by the traditional motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, the 1896 year of issue, and thirteen stars representing the original colonies. The reverse presents a powerful bald eagle clutching both an olive branch and arrows in its talons, symbolizing peace and readiness. Surrounding the central eagle are the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the face value, ONE DOLLAR. The national motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, is positioned directly above the eagle, completing a design that captures the spirit of late nineteenth-century America.