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2021 Morgan, Peace Designs Revealed

Obverse and reverse designs for the 2021 Morgan dollar. 

Obverse and reverse designs for the 2021 Morgan dollar. 

Obverse and reverse designs for the 2021 Peace dollar. 

Obverse and reverse designs for the 2021 Peace dollar. 

Designs for the 2021 100th Anniversary Morgan and Peace silver dollars were unveiled when the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) met via teleconference Jan. 19.

The objective of the meeting was to review and discuss the obverse and reverse candidate designs for the 2021 Morgan and Peace silver dollars authorized by Public Law 116-286, the 1921 Silver Dollar Coin Anniversary Act. The Act requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $1 silver coins in recognition of the 100th anniversary of completion of coinage of the Morgan dollar and the 100th anniversary of commencement of coinage of the Peace dollar.

Peace and Morgan dollars are among the most popular coins ever issued by the United States Mint.

The coins honoring the Morgan and Peace dollars are to have obverse and reverse designs that are renditions of the designs historically used. The Mint has returned to original assets to develop accurate renditions of the original Morgan and Peace Dollars to be issued in 2021.

A restoration process, high-resolution scanning, and mapping to relief targets and planchets were all employed in the designs’ recreation. The coins will be struck on the same planchet as is used for current commemorative silver dollars. This will result in the same weight, thickness and diameter specifications as the original Morgan and Peace dollars.

The technical team’s goal was to piece together the best aspects of the original assets still in the Mint’s possession to create renditions that will honor the intent of the original artist as much as possible.

The Morgan dollar was designed by George T. Morgan. The obverse features a profile of Lady Liberty, and the reverse features a heraldic eagle. The Peace Dollar was designed by Anthony de Francisci and features the Goddess of Liberty on the obverse and a bald eagle clutching an olive branch on the reverse.

The Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mint facilities will produce the anniversary Morgan dollar. “D” and “S” mintmarks will appear on the Denver- and San Francisco-minted coins, respectively, and Morgans produced at Philadelphia will not carry a mintmark in a nod to the original coin issues.

The Philadelphia Mint will also produce “O” and “CC” privy marks to pay homage to the original coins’ production at the former New Orleans and Carson City Mints.

The new Peace dollars will be produced at the Philaelphia facility, without a mintmark, in honor of the coin’s first striking there.

Release dates have not yet been announced.

The overall sentiment of the CCAC was reflected in a statement made by member Mike Moran during the meeting: “This is one of the most important programs the U.S. Mint has undertaken.”

The committee unanimously accepted and recommended the designs.

The CCAC advises the Secretary of the Treasury on any theme or design proposals relating to circulating coinage, bullion coinage, commemorative coins, Congressional gold medals, and national and other medals produced by the Secretary. Its next meeting is slated for March 23-24.