1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Appraisal

1879 Morgan Silver Dollar

The item is an 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar, an American coin known for its distinctive design. The obverse side, which is visible, features a left-facing profile of Lady Liberty, depicting her with a Phrygian cap adorned with the word "LIBERTY" and a wreath of cotton and wheat in her hair. Above her head, the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" is inscribed, tracing the upper rim of the coin. Below Liberty's portrait, the year of mintage, "1879," is clearly visible. The rim of the coin is encircled by thirteen stars, representing the original thirteen colonies. The coin appears to be contained within a clear, rigid plastic holder, typical for coin collectors to protect the item from environmental damage and handling. This holder covers a significant portion of the lower right quadrant of the coin, slightly obscuring part of the rim and stars. The coin itself shows signs of wear consistent with its age and circulation, evidenced by the slightly softened details in Liberty's hair and facial features, though the major elements remain distinct. The surface exhibits a discernible patina, a natural result of silver aging, suggesting it has not been heavily cleaned or polished, which is often preferred by collectors. The exact composition of Morgan dollars is 90% silver and 10% copper. The craftsmanship is typical of U.S. Mint productions from the late 19th century, known for their robust design and consistent striking quality. No specific mint mark is visible in this image to determine its place of origin (e.g., Philadelphia, San Francisco, New Orleans, Carson City).