First minted in 1921, the Peace Silver Dollar was the masterpiece of one of America’s most beloved sculptors, Anthony de Francisci. The design was not only in accordance with the Pittman Act of 1918, but it served a bigger role, namely to commemorate peace and the end of the World War I hostilities. The dyes were unavailable at the time, and the designer had to work on the coin without them, so the US Mint decided to revive the Morgan Dollar. The decision had lead to millions of 1921 Morgan Dollars being released in circulation during the first half of the year.

Features of the first Peace Silver Dollars

When the Peace Silver Dollar was finally placed in circulation, the struck was in high relief motif, an element that made the details of the intricate design less noticeable. If you’re interested in collecting this coins, then keep in mind that all versions released in 1921 are lightly struck at the center on both sides, meaning the hair and above, and respectively the feathers on the eagle’s wings. In addition, because the dyes weren’t ready yet, many coinage featured a grainy appearance in the fields.

Fortunately, the US Mint spotted the issue on time and corrected it next year; this is why for the 1922 version of the Peace Silver Dollars the relief is slightly lower. Therefore, in case you’re shopping around for an uncirculated Peace Silver Dollar, make sure it is a well struck specimen that does not feature worn dyes.

Types of Peace Silver Dollars collections

Depending on your budget and experience, there are several 3 ways you can collect Peace Silver Dollars:

• Beginner

Considering that the coinage doesn’t feature major rarities, you might be curious regarding what a Peace Silver Dollar collection looks like. The simplest type of collection, one that can be easily completed even by a beginner, could include the Peace Silver Dollars with low relief minted between 1922 and 1935. Take note that the coins issued during the aforementioned period will go for higher than $65 for an uncirculated specimen. The ‘crown jewel’ of your collection would be an uncirculated 1921 Peace Silver Dollar that doesn’t incorporate mint issues, a coin for which you’re likely to pay around $400.

• Intermediate

Intermediate numismatists should consider enriching their collection by include coins graded extra fine or EF-40. Even if you’re going to build your collection around circulated coinage, it is estimated that the value of the EF-40 set is in the neighborhood of $1,000.

• Advanced

In case the budget is not really an issue for you, then you should try to assemble a collection of uncirculated coins. In general, this is something an advanced collector will go for, as they are more likely to be willing to dish out around $3,000 for the key date, which is the 1934 San Francisco minted coin. The other must-have item in this collection is the 1934 Denver minted double dye obverse variety. If you’re interested in collecting the entire uncirculated set, then you should be ready to pay up to $7,000.