1922 Peace Silver Dollar Pendant with Coin Alignment

This item is a 1922 United States Peace Silver Dollar that has been converted into a jewelry pendant. The coin is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, originally minted at a diameter of 38.1mm. The obverse features the profile of Lady Liberty with a radiant crown, the word 'LIBERTY', the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST', and the date '1922'. The reverse, mentioned as being oriented 'upside down', actually confirms standard U.S. 'Coin Alignment' where the reverse is 180 degrees from the obverse, featuring an eagle perched on a mountain. The coin is encased in a simple metallic bezel with an attached bail and jump ring for wear on a chain. The condition shows significant signs of age and use, including overall surface toning and tarnish, heavy wear on the high points of Liberty's hair and crown, and numerous surface scratches. The conversion to jewelry is a common practice from the early to mid-20th century, though it technically classifies the coin as 'damaged' in numismatic terms. The craftsmanship of the bezel is functional rather than decorative, suggesting a utilitarian or sentimental assembly.

I have carefully examined the provided images of this 1922 Peace Silver Dollar set in a pendant bezel. The coin exhibits authentic characteristics of the Philadelphia-minted Peace Dollar series, including the distinct low-relief profile of Lady Liberty and the 'Coin Alignment' orientation. While the owner noted the reverse is 'upside down,' I can confirm this is the standard rotation for U.S. currency and does not represent a mint error. Condition-wise, the coin shows significant circulation wear (consistent with a grade of Very Good to Fine) and heavy tarnish. In the numismatic market, the mounting of a coin into a bezel is considered 'damage' or 'cleaned' status, which removes any numismatic premium. Consequently, the value is derived primarily from the silver bullion content (ASW 0.7734 oz) and its appeal as a piece of vintage exonumia. Current market demand for jewelry-mounted Peace Dollars is stable but primarily driven by silver spot prices and sentimental 'gift' value rather than collector scarcity, as 1922 is the most common year in the series with over 51 million minted. Limitations: My assessment is based solely on digital images. A physical inspection is required to verify the silver fineness of the bezel (which appears to be base metal or low-grade silver) and to perform a weight/specific gravity test to ensure the coin itself is not a contemporary counterfeit. Professional authentication by NGC or PCGS would be cost-prohibitive given the item's commonality. For a definitive valuation, the item should be weighed to check for metal loss from the conversion process.