$1 · Silver · 1921–1928 and 1934–1935
Peace Silver Dollar
A silver dollar created after World War I, pairing a radiant Liberty with an eagle at rest above the word PEACE.
- Designer
- Anthony de Francisci
- Classic dates
- 1921–1928 and 1934–1935
- Mint facilities
- Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco
01 · Overview
Why the Peace Silver Dollar matters
Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon approved the Peace dollar in December 1921 to replace the Morgan dollar and mark peace between the United States and Germany. The Commission of Fine Arts selected Anthony de Francisci's models.
The first circulation issue used high relief. Relief was reduced for 1922 production after the Mint encountered striking difficulties. Regular production continued through 1928 and returned briefly in 1934 and 1935.
02 · Design
Reading the design
Obverse
Liberty faces left wearing a radiant crown. LIBERTY arcs above, with IN GOD WE TRUST split across the lower field and the date below the portrait.
Reverse
An eagle rests on a mount holding an olive branch, facing the rays of a new day. The word PEACE appears at the base, making the coin's purpose explicit within the design.
03 · Specifications
Nominal issue specifications
- Denomination
- $1
- Composition
- 90% silver, 10% copper
- Nominal weight
- 26.73 g
- Actual silver weight
- 0.77344 troy oz
- Diameter
- 38.1 mm
- Edge
- Reeded
Nominal specifications describe regular classic issues. Patterns, proofs, special strikes, production tolerances, and later commemorative or modern versions may differ.
04 · Chronology
The series in stages
01
1921 High Relief
More than one million high-relief coins were produced in the final days of 1921. Strong central detail can be difficult to achieve, so strike must be considered separately from circulation wear.
02
Lower Relief · 1922–1928
The revised relief supported larger-scale production. Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco issues differ in strike character and availability by date.
03
Final issues · 1934–1935
Production returned after a five-year pause and ended in 1935. No 1964-D Peace dollars were released; claims involving that date require exceptional skepticism and legal context.
05 · Examination
What photographs should help you examine
Central strike
Liberty's central hair and the eagle's feather detail can be softly struck, especially on high-relief and selected branch-mint issues. Evaluate luster and friction alongside detail sharpness.
Facial marks and field quality
Liberty's cheek and neck are major focal areas. Marks, rub, or cleaning in these areas can affect the coin's visual quality even when peripheral detail is strong.
High relief attribution
A 1921 circulation strike is the regular high-relief issue. Other high-relief or special-strike claims require precise attribution rather than inference from unusually bold detail.
06 · Before buying
Questions the listing should answer
01
Date and mint are only the beginning
A mintage figure records production, not the number surviving in a particular grade. Distribution, melting, storage, bag handling, and later collector demand all affect availability. Compare the complete issue and condition before drawing conclusions from mintage alone.
02
Surface quality can separate coins in the same grade
Two coins with the same assigned grade can differ in luster, strike, marks, toning, and overall visual balance. Large silver-dollar fields make abrasions and friction particularly visible, so photographs matter.
03
Verify attribution before paying for it
Mint mark, recognized variety, special finish, and holder designation should agree with the coin and its certification record. Do not assume that an undocumented nickname or seller description establishes a variety.
07 · Sources
Primary references
This guide is educational and intentionally type-level. Issue-specific attribution, mintage, certification, and condition should be verified for the individual coin.