Pre-1933 U.S. silver coins are the classic ninety-percent-silver issues struck for everyday circulation: Morgan and Peace dollars, plus early Walking Liberty halves, Standing Liberty quarters and Mercury dimes. A Peace dollar contains 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver in a 26.73-gram, .900-fine planchet.
These coins are collected for design, history and silver content. Mint-state examples such as BU Peace dollars from the mid-1920s offer original mint luster at modest premiums over melt, while key dates and high grades command strong numismatic premiums. A Morgan dollar contains the same 0.7734 troy ounces of silver, and the series includes some of the most sought-after dates in American numismatics.
The Morgan dollar is the pre-1933 silver dollar most collectors name first: designed by George T. Morgan and struck from 1878 to 1904, with one final year in 1921. The series includes some of the most pursued dates in American numismatics — the 1889-CC, 1893-S and 1895 sit at the top of the market — which is why condition drives so much of its value. A current listing is the 2023 Morgan and Peace Dollar two-coin set, graded MS-70 by NGC on first day of issue. Because Morgan premiums turn on grade, see our coin grading guide for how the Sheldon scale separates circulated examples from mint state.
Current inventory includes the 1922–1925 Peace Dollar in BU, a random-date example from the series' most available years. As with pre-1933 gold, these are collector coins rather than IRA-eligible bullion. For dates, designs and grading details, see the guides below, or call 888-369-2950 with questions.
Helpful guides: The 1921 Silver Dollar Handoff · King of Morgan Dollars · 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
U.S. silver coins struck for circulation before 1933, such as Morgan and Peace dollars, Barber and Walking Liberty halves, Standing Liberty quarters and Mercury dimes. These coins were struck in .900-fine silver; a Morgan or Peace dollar weighs 26.73 grams and contains 0.7734 troy ounces of silver. Peace dollars were not struck from 1929 to 1933, so pre-1933 Peace dollars date from 1921–1928. Weights and mintages are cataloged in A Guide Book of United States Coins (the Red Book); mintage records are published by the United States Mint.
Brilliant Uncirculated: original mint luster with no wear. It is a commercial grade for uncirculated coins that are not numerically certified.
A .900-fine silver dollar minted 1921–1935 and designed by Anthony de Francisci. It weighs 26.73 grams and contains 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver.
Morgans (1878–1904 and 1921) are older with more key dates; Peace dollars (1921–1935) are generally more available in BU at modest premiums over melt.
Generally not as collector items; IRS eligibility is limited to coins meeting the Section 408(m) fineness standards (.999 fine for silver). Confirm with your custodian.
