About the Coin

The 1893-S Morgan dollar is listed in the book 100 Greatest U.S. Coins by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth. It is the key date among business strikes in the Morgan dollar series and as such, tends to be one of the more counterfeited coins out there.

This is a coin you definitely want to buy after it has been certified as authentic. During the great release of silver dollars by the U.S. Treasury in the early 1960s, no bags or large groups of the 1893-S appeared.

In early 2009, the 1893-S was the object in a heated debate after a collector named Dave wrote an editorial piece for Numismatic News telling about how he found an 1893-S among a group of common Morgan dollars that he had bought from his local dealer. Dave had paid just $8 for the coin and he later sold it for $3,150. The debate raged over whether Dave should have gone back to the dealer and compensated the dealer for his mistake or whether Dave did right by keeping the profits. The debate occured through letters to the editor of Numismatic News and in comments on a retelling of the story at coins.about.com.

The 1893-S Morgan dollar in The Arlington Collection has gorgeous gun-metal gray original toning. After you've viewed some of my silver coins, you will notice that I love gun-metal gray toned coins. You will see similar toning on my 1795 Flowing Hair half dollar, 1797 Draped Bust dollar, and 1889-CC Morgan dollar. I would much rather have this beautiful coin than a dipped, blast-white mint state example.

Designer: George T. Morgan
Weight: 26.73 grams
Diameter: approx. 38.1mm, reeded edge
Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper