What Are IDC Verified Morgan & Peace Dollars?
IDC Verified Morgan and Peace Dollars are collectible United States silver dollars selected for IDC Coin & Bullion's numismatic review and independent grading program.
Our numismatists believe these historic coins deserve careful identification and preservation. Participating coins are reviewed by IDC's numismatic team and submitted to Independent Coin Graders (ICG) for third-party authentication and grading.
Eligible coins feature the IDC Verified Diamond Label on their protective holders. The program helps collectors identify historically interesting coins while reducing unnecessary handling of the original pieces.
Why Preserve Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars?
Morgan and Peace Dollars are tangible artifacts of American monetary history. Their designs, mintmarks, production methods, and circulation patterns reflect major changes in the United States during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
A Morgan Dollar from the Carson City Mint connects collectors to the American West. A New Orleans Morgan Dollar reflects a former branch mint's contribution to U.S. coinage. A Peace Dollar represents the nation's desire for peace following World War I.
Not every historically significant coin survives in pristine condition. Circulated coins can still be meaningful collectibles, even when they show substantial wear.
The IDC Verified Process
1. Numismatic Selection and Review
IDC's professional numismatists examine selected Morgan and Peace Dollars for identifying characteristics, historical interest, condition, and potential collectible significance.
2. Independent Authentication and Grading
Selected coins are submitted to ICG, which independently evaluates eligible coins and assigns applicable grades or designations under its procedures.
3. IDC Review and Identification
IDC's numismatic team reviews participating coins as part of the IDC Verified program. Eligible holders feature the distinctive IDC Verified Diamond Label.
4. Preservation Through Encapsulation
Protective third-party holders help reduce routine handling and allow collectors to identify coins using their certification information.
ICG is the independent grading service. IDC Verified identifies participation in IDC's numismatic review program and does not guarantee rarity, market value, or future appreciation.
Morgan Silver Dollars: 1878–1921
The Morgan Silver Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and originally produced from 1878 through 1904, followed by a final circulation-era issue in 1921.
The obverse depicts Liberty, while the reverse features a heraldic eagle. The design is closely associated with the history of American silver mining, western expansion, and nineteenth-century monetary policy.
Morgan Dollar Mintmarks
Original Morgan Dollars were produced at five United States Mint facilities:
- Philadelphia: Coins generally have no mintmark.
- Carson City (CC): Associated with Nevada's silver-mining history.
- New Orleans (O): Produced Morgan Dollars from 1879 through 1904.
- San Francisco (S): Produced numerous collectible dates and condition rarities.
- Denver (D): Produced original Morgan Dollars only in 1921.
On original Morgan Dollars, the mintmark appears on the reverse, above the letters DO in DOLLAR.
Collectible Morgan Dollar Varieties
1878 Morgan Dollar: Seven and Eight Tail Feathers
The first year of Morgan Dollar production introduced several reverse designs. Collectors distinguish important 1878 varieties by the number of visible tail feathers and other design characteristics.
Common descriptions include 8 Tail Feathers (8TF), 7 Tail Feathers (7TF), Reverse of 1878, and Reverse of 1879.
These are design or variety classifications, not mintmarks. The exact attribution should match the certified holder and coin diagnostics.
1900-O/CC Morgan Dollar Overmintmark
The 1900-O/CC Morgan Dollar is a recognized overmintmark variety associated with New Orleans coinage. The O mintmark was punched over a CC mintmark in the die.
This variety is popular with collectors interested in minting history, die preparation, and unusual production characteristics.
Morgan Dollar VAM Varieties
Morgan Dollars are also collected by recognized die varieties called VAMs, named after researchers Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis.
VAM varieties may involve doubled design elements, overdates, mintmark differences, and other die characteristics. Some attract significant collector interest, while others are relatively common.
For coins advertised with a VAM attribution, review the specific variety number and any corresponding grading-service documentation.
Peace Silver Dollars: 1921–1935
The Peace Silver Dollar was designed by Anthony de Francisci and introduced in 1921 following World War I.
The obverse features Liberty wearing a radiant crown. The reverse depicts an eagle above the word PEACE, representing the hope for lasting peace.
Original Peace Dollars were issued from 1921 through 1928 and again from 1934 through 1935.
1921 High Relief Peace Dollar
The first Peace Dollars were struck in high relief in 1921. Their distinctive design makes them an important single-year type for collectors of historic American silver dollars.
Important Peace Dollar Dates
Collectors often study the 1921 High Relief issue, the 1928 Philadelphia key date, the 1934-S issue, and the final 1935 releases.
Not every date discussed here is necessarily available in IDC's current inventory.
Modern Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars
The United States Mint revived the Morgan and Peace Dollar designs in 2021 as modern numismatic issues.
Modern releases differ from original circulation-era coins in silver fineness, production methods, finishes, and other specifications.
Morgan Dollar vs. Peace Dollar
| Feature | Morgan Dollar | Peace Dollar |
|---|---|---|
| Designer | George T. Morgan | Anthony de Francisci |
| Original issue years | 1878–1904, 1921 | 1921–1928, 1934–1935 |
| Silver fineness | 90% | 90% |
| Silver content | 0.77344 troy oz | 0.77344 troy oz |
| Original mint locations | Philadelphia, Carson City, New Orleans, San Francisco, Denver | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco |
| Common collecting focus | Dates, mintmarks, VAMs, reverse types | Dates, mintmarks, High Relief issues |
Understanding ICG Grades
ICG uses established coin grading terminology, including numerical grades on the 70-point Sheldon scale where applicable.
| Grade | General Meaning |
|---|---|
| G-4 to VG-10 | Heavily circulated coins with identifiable major details. |
| F-12 to VF-35 | Circulated coins with moderate to considerable wear. |
| XF-40 to XF-45 | Lightly circulated coins retaining substantial detail. |
| AU-50 to AU-58 | Coins showing slight circulation wear. |
| MS-60 to MS-64 | Uncirculated coins with varying surface marks and eye appeal. |
| MS-65 to MS-67 | Higher-grade Mint State coins with stronger preservation. |
| MS-68 to MS-70 | Exceptionally preserved coins; more relevant to certain modern issues. |
Some certified coins carry descriptive designations such as AU Quality, EF Quality, or BU Quality. These descriptions should not be represented as exact numerical grades unless a numerical grade was assigned.
What Determines the Value of a Certified Silver Dollar?
Collector value can depend on several factors:
- Date and mintmark: Some combinations are considerably scarcer than others.
- Certified condition: Preservation and eye appeal influence collector demand.
- Variety: Recognized reverse types, overmintmarks, and VAM attributions.
- Originality: Surface condition, cleaning, and other alterations.
- Historical significance: Connections to important minting periods.
- Silver content: The underlying value of the precious metal.
- Market demand: Collector interest and available supply.
Not every old silver dollar is rare, and certification does not guarantee investment performance.
How to Start an IDC Verified Silver Dollar Collection
- Choose a series. Begin with Morgan Dollars, Peace Dollars, or examples of both.
- Set a collecting goal. Consider a date set, mintmark set, type set, or variety collection.
- Study the grade. Learn how circulation wear and surface preservation affect coins.
- Review certification details. Check the holder, grading-service attribution, and certification number.
- Explore the history. Learn about the issuing mint and the era in which the coin was produced.
- Protect the collection. Store encapsulated coins in a stable environment.
Buy IDC Verified Morgan & Peace Dollars Online
IDC Coin & Bullion, a division of International Diamond Center, offers IDC Verified Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars through its online store.
Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, IDC serves numismatic collectors throughout the United States.
Explore related categories:
- IDC Verified Program
- All IDC Verified Silver
- Certified Morgan Silver Dollars
- Certified Peace Silver Dollars
- IDC Verified Silver Coins and Rounds
- Collector Coins
- Sell Coins to IDC
Frequently Asked Questions
What are IDC Verified Morgan and Peace Dollars?
They are selected collectible silver dollars included in IDC's numismatic review and independent grading program through ICG.
Who grades IDC Verified Morgan Dollars?
Independent Coin Graders (ICG) independently authenticates and grades participating coins.
What does the IDC Verified Diamond Label mean?
The Diamond Label identifies coins included in IDC's numismatic review and third-party grading program.
How much silver is in an original Morgan Dollar?
An original circulation-era Morgan Dollar contains approximately 0.77344 troy ounce of silver.
How much silver is in an original Peace Dollar?
An original circulation-era Peace Dollar contains approximately 0.77344 troy ounce of silver.
What is an 1878 Morgan Dollar 7 Tail Feathers variety?
It is a recognized reverse design classification involving the number of visible tail feathers on the eagle.
What is a Morgan Dollar VAM?
A VAM is a cataloged die variety identified through characteristics such as doubling, overdates, or mintmark differences.
Are all IDC Verified silver dollars rare?
No. The collection includes coins selected for historical or numismatic interest, not exclusively rarity.
Are modern Morgan and Peace Dollars the same as the original coins?
No. Modern releases revive the designs but have different specifications and production characteristics.
Where can I buy IDC Verified Morgan Dollars?
IDC Verified Morgan and Peace Dollars are available through IDC Coin & Bullion's online store, subject to current inventory.
