The Morgan Silver Dollar is the most popular American Silver Bullion Coin amongst coin collectors, heavily traded in hobby shops and on the internet. Because of it's accessability Morgan Dollars are often the choice of new collectors and silver bullion investors. Designed by George T. Morgan and first minted in 1878, the coin remained in production until 1904 and was brought back again for one more run in 1921.
The coin's weight is 26.73 grams, with a silver content of .900. The coin displays the following mintmarks:
No Mintmark: Philadelphia Mint (1878-1921), O: New Orleans Mint (1879-1904), D: Denver Mint (1921), CC: Carson City Mint (1878-1885, 1889-1893) and S: San Francisco (1878-1921).
Key Date issues include the 1884-S, 1886-O, 1889-CC, 1892-S, 1893-S and 1895-O. With 97 different mint and date combinations it may be best for new collectors to focus on slowly building a base of coins in the best possible condition at a price within their budget. Over a number of years one should be able to add specimens from all years and mints with the exception of perhaps a few issues (for example the 1889-CC and 1895-Proof).