El Peace Dollar was introduced in 1921 as the official replacement for Morgan Dollar, behind the Pittman Act of 1918, who ordered the melting of millions of Morgan Dollars to provide silver to Great Britain during World War I. Conceived to symbolize peace after the conflict, its design was chosen through a competition by the Fine Arts CommissionThe sculptor Anthony de Francisci He emerged the winner, inspired by his wife Teresa for the face of Liberty on the obverse, while the reverse shows an eagle next to the word “PEACE”.
The first coins (1921) were minted in high relief, but its production was simplified from 1922 onwards. Although its main minting ended in 1928, was briefly resumed in 1934-1935 due to silver purchase laws. An attempt to issue it in 1964 was cancelled, and almost all the pieces were melted down.
History of the Peace Dollar
Origin and historical context: The Peace Dollar was intended to replace the Morgan Dollar (minted since 1878), the mass minting of which was ordered by the Pittman Act of 1918 to support Great Britain during World War I. In 1921, following the conflict, the United Kingdom Mint United States. issued this new coin to symbolize peace. The winning design, created by sculptor Anthony de Francisci, was selected in a Commission of Fine Arts competition (not open to the public). His wife, Teresa de Francisci, served as the model for the figure of Liberty on the obverse.
Periods of minting
- First stage (1921-1928):
The 1921 coins were minted in high relief, but due to technical difficulties, the relief was reduced from 1922 to facilitate its production. - Second stage (1934-1935):
Minting was resumed to comply with the Silver Purchase Act of 1934, not the Pittman Act, which required the government to purchase domestic silver.
1964-D Production (minted in 1965): In 1965, the Denver Mint minted 316,076 Peace Dollars dated “1964-D”. However, Congress canceled their circulation by removing the silver from the coins in circulation, and almost all of them were melted down. Although there are rumors of surviving examples, none have been officially authenticated.
Technical Specifications and Dimensions
Diameter: 38,1 mm
Thickness: 2,4 mm
Weight in grams: 26,73 grams
Characteristics of the song: Fluted
Design and representation of the currency
Obverse: It shows the effigy of Liberty, with a face inspired by Teresa de France, looking to the left. She wears a radiant crown that alludes to the Statue of Liberty. The inscriptions are “LIBERTY” (above) and “IN GOD WE TRUST” (below), followed by the year of minting. The initials “AF” They appear discreetly engraved right at the base of the figure's neck. Lady Liberty, on the obverse of the coin, which are the initials of Anthony de Francisci, its designer and sculptor.
Back: The reverse features a majestic bald eagle American woman perched on a rock, holding an olive branch in her hands, symbolizing peace. The background shows rays of the sun emerging, with the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, “ONE DOLLAR”, and “PEACE” (below the eagle). The mint mark appears discreetly engraved just below the word “ONE”.
Symbolism of each design element: The Peace Dollar integrates elements loaded with meaning: the radiant crown (inspired by the Statue of Liberty) symbolizes the light of freedom and progress of the USA; the bald eagle with an olive branch represents peace and national strength, originally accompanied by a broken sword that was removed due to its association with defeat; and the rock under the eagle, next to the ascending sunbeams, allude to stability and the dawn of a new, peaceful era after the First World War. This design, created by Anthony de Francisci in 1921, reflects the yearning for hope and unity in a historical context marked by global reconstruction.
Composition of the Currency
The Peace Dollar, with a total weight of 26.73 grams, contains 90% silver (24.057 g of pure silver) and 10% copper, following the standard established in the Coinage Act of 1837This high percentage of silver was due to historical legal requirements, not the 1792 Act. Although minting was suspended in 1928, the same purity was maintained when it was resumed in 1934-1935 under the Silver Purchase Act.
Manufacturing Mints and Mint Marks
The Peace Dollar was minted at several mints in the United States, identifiable by their respective mint marks:
- Philadelphia (unmarked): Main producer, with mintages since 1921-1928 y 1934-1935. The coins of 1921 (high relief) and 1928 (low mintage).
- Denver (“D”): Coined in 1922-1928, 1934-1935 .
- San Francisco (“S”): It produced dollars in the same periods, with variable mintage.
Below is a table with relevant coinage information, including the year, mint mark, and number of coins minted:
| Year/Mint | coinage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | 1 006 473 | High relief |
| 1922 | 35 401 | High relief |
| 1922 | 51 737 000 | Normal relief |
| 1922 D | 15 063 000 | |
| 1922 | 17 475 000 | |
| 1923 | 30 800 000 | |
| 1923 D | 6 811 000 | |
| 1923 | 19 020 000 | |
| 1924 | 11 811 000 | |
| 1924 | 1 728 000 | |
| 1925 | 10 198 000 | |
| 1925 | 1 610 000 | |
| 1926 | 1 939 000 | |
| 1926 D | 2 348 700 | |
| 1926 | 6 980 000 | |
| 1927 | 848 000 | |
| 1927 D | 1 268 000 | |
| 1927 | 866 000 | |
| 1928 | 360 349 | |
| 1928 | 1 632 000 | Big "S" |
| 1928 s | Small "S" | |
| 1934 | 954 057 | |
| 1934 D | Double-die obverse | |
| 1934 D | 1 569 500 | Big "D" |
| 1934 D | Small "D" | |
| 1934 | 1 011 000 | |
| 1935 | 1 576 000 | |
| 1935 | 1 964 000 | two varieties |
| 1964 D | 316 076 | All coins were cast; there are numerous re-strikes. |
Information partially obtained from numist
How to identify mint marks
The mint mark is located on the reverse, just below the word “ONE” On the left side.
Current Numismatic Value
The value of the Peace Dollar depends on:
- State of conservation: Coins in higher grades (MS65 or higher) can achieve significantly high values.
- Year of issue: The 1921 (high relief) and 1934-D dollars are highly valued.
- Rarity and demand: Pieces with minting errors or unique characteristics have a higher value.
Examples of auction prices
- 1922 Peace Dollar, High Relief, Proof-67: reached $381,875.00 US dollars.
- Peace Dollar 1934 MS67: reached $108,000.00 US dollars.
The Peace Dollar is much more than a collector's coin; it represents an enduring symbol of hope and peace in the history of the United StatesIts design, history, and rarity make it a must-have for collectors. If you'd like to continue exploring the fascinating world of numismatics, we invite you to read more articles on our website.
Note: This website participates in the eBay Affiliate Program. Purchases made through ad links may generate a commission for us, which helps us maintain and improve our content. Thank you for your support!
