Numismatic

1897-S Morgan Dollar MS-64 NGC

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Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this 1897 silver dollar represents a fascinating era in American history. The coin was minted during the Gilded Age, a time of intense national debate surrounding the gold standard versus the silver standard. Its production was authorized under the Bland-Allison Act, a piece of legislation designed to assist Western silver mining operations by requiring the government to purchase and coin vast quantities of the precious metal. This specific piece is certified in Mint State 64 (MS-64), showcasing the intricate details of its classic design. The front of the coin features a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty, who wears a Phrygian cap adorned with a headband inscribed with the word 'LIBERTY' and a wreath composed of cotton and wheat. On the reverse, a bald eagle holds arrows and an olive branch, accompanied by the traditional motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST'. Crafted from 26.73 grams of 90 percent fine silver, this 38.1 mm dollar contains 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver. Out of a total mintage of 5,825,000 pieces struck in San Francisco that year, this coin survives as a brilliant testament to nineteenth-century American coinage.