Silver Dollars for Sale at JM Bullion

Though it is still the most circulated denomination in the United States, the dollar has taken on a drastically different look than the original dollar coins offered by the United States Mint in 1794. Today, the $1 is a green bill popularly known as the “greenback,” but one of the most popular formats for the dollar in US history was the silver dollar. You can still find silver dollars available to purchase today as a collectible item or as an affordable option to expand your investment portfolio in silver precious metals. Learn more about silver dollars for sale at JM Bullion!

History of the Silver Dollar

The first US dollar coin with a $1 (USD) face value was the 1804 silver dollar. It featured a right-profile bust of Liberty on the obverse. Silver dollars, and the $1 denomination, were sparsely minted between 1804 and 1836, with the Gobrecht dollar minted at times during this 32-year period.

The first major issuance of silver dollars started in 1836 and continued through 1873. At that point in history, the US was flooded with silver from mines in the southeastern US, and in Nevada in particular. In response to the influx of silver and the US Mint’s free coining of silver at this point in time, silver dollars were suspended for five years. Following the end of free silver coining, silver dollars returned in 1878 and remained in production regularly through 1904. During the 20^th century, silver dollar coining became more erratic. The Morgan Dollar design was briefly reissued in 1921 and later replaced that same year by Peace Dollars. The Peace Silver Dollar was struck until 1928, suspended, reintroduced in 1934 and 1935, and then halted for good.

Although these silver dollars are no longer issued, they are not impossible to find. In fact, plenty of examples of these coins remain as both graded collectible items and former circulation coins available as affordable investment options due to the purity of the silver contained within.

Popular Examples of the Silver Dollar in US History

There are three major US silver dollar coins you can find when searching for affordable silver for sale. The Seated Liberty Dollar is the longest running of the three, but also the oldest and as a result most difficult to find. The Morgan Silver Dollar and Peace Silver Dollar coins are still commonly discovered in personal collections and available as former circulation pieces. Here’s a breakdown of all three major designs:

• Seated Liberty: The Seated Liberty Silver Dollar coin was introduced in 1836 and struck regularly through 1873. Chief Engraver of the United States Mint Christian Gobrecht designed the image of Liberty seated on a rock on the obverse with the US heraldic shield at her side and 13 stars around the upper half of the design field. The reverse went through two designs. From 1840 to 1865 it featured the US heraldic eagle with only the nation of issue and face value engraved. From 1866 onward, the reverse had the national motto “In God We Trust” engraved on a banner above the eagle’s head.
• Morgan Silver Dollar: The Seated Liberty design was suspended in 1873 following the influx of silver into the US as a result of the discovery of the Comstock Lode in Nevada, which drove down the value of silver. In 1878, the Morgan Silver Dollar design was introduced. In its day, the Morgan Dollar was extremely popular and depicted a left-profile portrait of Liberty on the obverse. The coin was designed by George T. Morgan. It was struck from 1878 to 1904. Silver dollar coining was suspended from 1904 to 1921, with the Morgan Dollar reintroduced briefly in 1921.
• Peace Silver Dollar: The Peace Silver Dollar was the final silver dollar struck by the US Mint and was introduced in late 1921 to replace the Morgan design. The Peace Silver Dollar had a modern vision of Liberty on the obverse in left-profile relief and was reflective of the formal signing of peace treaties between the Allied nations of World War I and the Axis powers of Germany and Austria. The Peace Dollar was circulated through 1928, halted, reintroduced for two years (1934-1935), and then canceled.
• Eisenhower Silver Dollar: Issued 36 years after the end of the Peace Dollar, the Eisenhower Silver Dollar was the first silver US dollar issued since 1935 and the last one produced with any silver content of note for general release. The coins had 40% silver in a silver-clad version of the coin released. Available from 1971 to 1978, the Eisenhower Silver Dollar features a left-profile bust of President Dwight D. Eisenhower from Frank Gasparro, 10th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. The reverse features an eagle landing on the moon, a twist on the Apollo 11 mission patch from 1969.

Why Invest in Silver Dollars?

The United States Mint no longer strikes true silver dollars. While various coins with a silver appearance have been struck over the year, only the coins mentioned above are true silver dollars. Each one contained a true silver content of .900 silver. Known as 90% silver coins, these products are popular as an entry-level investment option for those looking to buy silver at affordable prices. Previously circulated silver dollars have signs of wear and tear from handling, but still hold investment value due to the .900 silver content. Additionally, rare pieces from these series that earn certification from the NGC or PCGS are ideal additions to any personal coin collection as a living piece of US coining history.

Buying Silver Dollars from JM Bullion

You can find these US silver dollars and others available in the JM Bullion catalog. If you have any questions, we encourage you to reach out to JM Bullion at 800-276-6508. You can also connect with us online through our live chat and email address features.