Silver Peace Dollar *Random Date* - BU

Silver Peace Dollar (Random Date) BU

The Peace Dollar was introduced in 1921 as the successor to the popular Morgan Dollar Series. The new design was created to commemorate the restoration of peace following the conclusion of World War I. The coins's designer was Anthony de Francisci, an Italian-American sculptor.

A left-facing profile of Liberty with a radiate crown graces the obverse. Interestingly, the designer's wife, Teresa de Francisci, posed as the model for this depiction of Liberty. The resulting design was truly stunning. The radiate crown was intended to reflect on that of the Statue of Liberty. The inscriptions include "LIBERTY" encircling the top rim. Behind the Liberty profile, "In God We Trust" is displayed horizontally across the lower area. The release date encircles the bottom rim.

The reverse features a regal bald eagle perched upon a solid rock, which bears the inscription, "PEACE." The eagle is tightly clutching an olive branch in its talons. The clear rays of the rising sun fill the background. Inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" encircling the top rim, with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" immediately below. The face value of one dollar is horizontally displayed across the coin's lower area.

Although the Morgan series tends to attract the most attention of collectors, Peace Dollars offer interesting challenges for the resourceful collector.

Marked as BU (Brilliant Uncirculated), the coin is considered to be bullion quality when it is categorized as having no wear at all. These coins will be pulled from random dates.

Highlights

• Silver Peace Dollar (Random Date) BU.
• This item consists of random dates BU graded coins.
• Contains .774 oz of .9 pure silver.
• Obverse: Displays a left-facing profile of Liberty wearing a radiate crown.
• Reverse: Features a bald eagle perched upon a solid rock bearing the inscription, "Peace" clutching an olive branch in its talons.

History

The first Peace Dollars were struck at the Philadelphia Mint in the final week of 1921 and released into circulation early the following year. The 1921 Peace Dollar was struck in high relief, which made for a stunning presentation of the design. However, this proved impractical within production and commerce, so the relief was lowered in the following year.

Production levels were generally high for the initial years of the series, as the United States Mint struck new silver dollars to replace those melted under the Pittman Act. The mintage levels dropped to the lowest level for the series with the 1928 Peace Dollar, when the last of the required coins had been produced. No silver dollars were struck for the following six years. The denomination made a brief come back in 1934 and 1935, which would be the final two years that silver dollars were struck for circulation.

Along with a few notable low mintage issues, the series is punctuated by numerous coins which are exceedingly difficult to find in gem condition. Several issues struck at the San Francisco Mint suffer from weak strikes, heavy abrasions, and bag marks, which typically limit the condition. Finding high grade, attractive specimens for these issues is a genuine challenge and usually a costly undertaking.

A complete collection of Peace Dollars will include 24 different issues spanning from 1921 to 1935. They will also include coins produced at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. Collectors with patience and an eye for quality stand to be rewarded in their pursuit of this important series.