Historically, Morgan silver dollar coins (minted from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921) have the following specifications:
- Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition ensured durability for circulation while maintaining a significant silver content.
- Weight: 26.73 grams (412.5 grains).
- Pure Silver Content: 0.77344 troy ounces or approximately 24.057 grams.
However, the modern Morgan silver dollars , reintroduced in 2021, have a different composition:
- Composition: 99.9% fine silver.
- Weight: 0.859 troy ounces.
In summary
- Original Morgan Dollars (1878-1904, 1921): 90% silver, 0.77344 troy ounces of pure silver.
- Modern Morgan Dollars (2021-present): 99.9% silver, 0.859 troy ounces of pure silver.
Are Morgan dollars considered junk silver?
In most cases, Morgan Silver Dollars with a grade of AU50 or below are only worth their intrinsic silver content. Buying affordable Morgan Silver Dollars can be a great way to invest in silver bullion, but they don’t have value as collectibles. Most Morgan Silver Dollars with low grades are considered “junk” silver.
Are Morgan silver dollars 100% silver?
Modern Morgan dollars
House Bill 6192 (2021 Silver Dollar Coin Anniversary Act) allows production of Morgan and Silver dollars at 26.73g and no less than 90% silver (24.057 g = 0.7735 ozt).