What Makes a 1921 Silver Dollar Rare? A Quick Answer

The 1921 Silver Dollar has long been the collector's favorite among other iterations and series of the US coins. Even though it might appear to be "just another early 20th-century coin", in fact, its special production circumstances, limited supply, and importance as the last year of the Morgan Silver Dollar series make it a valuable item anyway.

So, how do I know if my 1921 Silver Dollar is rare? How much is a 1921 Morgan Silver Dollar worth, and why do so many people try to obtain this numismatic instance? In this material, we have compiled the most relevant answers to these questions and prepared a bonus for our readers: the best app to check coin value for free. Enjoy!

The Last of the Morgan Series

In numismatic history, the 1921 Silver Dollar is particularly noteworthy, for it was the last year of the renowned Morgan Dollar series ever minted (not exactly the last one, yet officially it is considered to be). The Morgan Dollar, designed by George T. Morgan to depict a profile of Lady Liberty, was one of the most well-known American coins and was struck from 1878 to 1904. 

However, due to a combination of decreased demand and silver deficits, production finally stopped in 1904. The alternative versions were much more lucrative than that of the Morgan design. As a result of the Pittman Act, which was passed in 1918 and required that the Mint replace all the silver dollars previously melted during World War I, the US government brought back the Morgan Dollar, and the historic value of the 1921 silver dollar has never been higher ever since. 

The 1921 Morgan Dollar was the last of its type, yet it was briefly available again. Later that year, the Mint switched to the Peace Dollar, which was a turning point for the whole numismatic sphere in the country. 

Related article: 2022 Sally Ride Quarter Worth.

Unique Features

So as to define the 1921 silver dollar value today, one should be aware of what a coin looks like and which distinctive characteristics it has. Due to changes in minting procedures, the 1921 edition was struck with minor differences, yet it still had the iconic Morgan design, too. 

The introduction of a new, higher-relief die, which gave some coins a sharper, more detailed appearance than previous issues, is one of the most obvious advancements in the sphere. The rapid production and the requirement to meet the Pittman Act's high silver dollar requirements necessitated this modification on its part.

1921 Silver Dollar Mint Mark Locations

1921 Morgan Silver Dollar mint mark locations play a significant role in terms of HOW and WHY the coins were produced. Firstly, over 44 million of these coins were struck in Philadelphia, i.e., the main mint, which produced the major part of those. Compared to coins from the other two mints, these are comparatively easy to locate because they refer to the 1921 silver dollar no mint mark options.

Coins from the Denver Mint, which issued 20,345,000 1921 Silver Dollars, have the "D" mintmark. They are more sought-after by collectors, for they are rarer and more valuable than those from Philadelphia, despite being more prevalent than the San Francisco issue.

Last but not least, the San Francisco Mint. With only 5.4 million struck in 1921, the San Francisco Mint produced the fewest Silver Dollars that year. These coins are the most sought-after and frequently most costly of the 1921 Morgan Dollars due to their limited production and "S" mintmark as well. All in all, the 1921 silver dollar mint mark location matters.

By the way, where is the mint mark on a 1921 silver dollar? Basically, it is located on the reverse side, just below the eagle’s tail feathers. But what about the 1921 Morgan silver dollar value?

1921 Morgan Silver Dollar Errors

Like any other coin, the Morgan Dollar coin cannot be immune to errors and imperfections, which is quite rare yet unique to the full extent. This is exactly why the 1921 Morgan dollar errors can be worth more than the traditional just like the 1967 Quarter, conventional style. Well,  some common types of errors found on 1921 Morgans include the following: 

1. Die Cracks: The coin's surface may have elevated lines or fractured areas as a result of tiny cracks in the die that struck it. These fissures frequently show up throughout the pattern or along the edges.

2. Full or Weak Mintmarks: Sometimes, particles that might have occurred during the process of die minting may cause the coin's mintmark, if these are present, to seem weak or partially filled.

3. Off-Center Strikes: This usually happens when the coin is not positioned correctly on the die during the minting process, which results in a partial off-center strike or missing portion of the design.

4. Overpolished Dies: Excessive polishing of the dies may also cause a loss of detail, particularly in high-relief regions like the eagle's feathers or Lady Liberty's face. Because of this, certain coins may seem old or polished even when they were just minted.

Finally, How Much is a 1921 Silver Dollar Worth? 

How much is a 1921 Silver Dollar worth today? In particular, this depends on several factors, but the main tendencies stay relatively the same. Here is a brief table of how valuable each coin can be and what is unique about every instance. 

Nevertheless, the market may fluctuate, and it is important to check the currency prices before the season of sales starts. How much is a 1921 silver dollar worth? Fortunately, we know this aspect by now. 

What We Have Promised: A Tool for Easy Coin Identification

Identifying the 1921 Morgan Dollar errors, values, etc. can be daunting and a bit confusing. Nevertheless, there exist tools that may help one make this process easier and more pleasant. One such tool is Coin ID Scanner. These scanners swiftly examine a coin's design, mintmark, year, and other distinctive characteristics with the use of advanced image recognition technologies behind. 

Now, collectors can save time and effort when using such a mobile app to scan the coin and instantly obtain information about its origin, value, and potential faults. One of the main benefits of Coin ID Scanner is its capacity to rapidly access a large database of coins, providing instant access to comprehensive details about millions of coins from different parts of the world. This makes it simpler for collectors to spot coins with unique wear patterns, uncommon mintmarks, or even rare faults that could raise a coin's value for good. 

Management is also important, and Coin ID Scanner knows about this problem. Users may track their coins, manage their inventory, and even determine their potential value based on current market trends with the help of capabilities included in the app. As a result, collectors can keep a more updated track of their collection, monitor changes in coin prices, and find coins they may want to add or sell. 

Morgan dollars are unique, yet the year 1921 was even more strange and feature-bearing. Keep exploring the world of numismatics and catch a reasonable price to create a collection of your dreams!

Sources:

1. https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/united-states/dollars/morgan-dollars-1878-1921/17296/1921-morgan-1-ms/

2. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1921-1-morgan/7296