Peace $1 Certified MS65 (Dates/Types Vary)

History

The Peace Dollar was launched as a celebration of America's victory in World War I and to address a severe shortage of silver dollars within the nation. During the conflict, Germany propagated false assertions that Britain lacked adequate silver reserves to support its currency. This misinformation, coupled with extensive hoarding, escalated silver prices and compromised Britain's war capabilities. To assist its ally, the U.S. sold substantial amounts of silver to Britain, resulting in the melting down of over 250 million coins, many of which were Morgan Dollars. To replenish this significant loss, the U.S. Treasury commissioned the production of new coins from silver obtained from American mines. Initially resuming with the Morgan Dollar in 1921, the Philadelphia Mint quickly shifted to the Peace Dollar — a coin envisioned by the American Numismatic Association and ratified by Congress.

Design

The Peace Dollar's design was chosen through a competitive process, with Anthony de Francisci, a relatively unknown artist at the time, outshining established figures like Adolph Weinman. De Francisci drew inspiration from his wife, Teresa, who had been captivated by the Statue of Liberty upon her arrival in New York from Italy. The obverse of the Peace Dollar showcases a youthful, radiant Liberty with windswept hair, symbolizing a new era of enlightenment, and includes inscriptions "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and the year of mint. Despite some initial criticism from enthusiasts who felt Liberty's image resembled a contemporary "flapper," reflecting popular culture more than classical ideals, this depiction has grown in favor over time.
The reverse features a bald eagle perched atop a mountain, clutching an olive branch, underscored by sun rays. It is engraved with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "ONE DOLLAR," and "PEACE." Minted only during the brief periods of 1921-1928 and 1934-1935, the Peace Dollar's production timeline is among the shortest in U.S. coin history. It remains the last silver dollar produced before minting of silver currency stopped in 1965. Weighing 26.73 grams and composed of .900 silver and .100 copper, giving a net silver content of .77344 troy ounces, the Peace Dollar has a diameter of 38.1mm and a reeded edge. This MS65 coin is a valuable piece of American history and a wonderful find for a silver dollar enthusiast.