1886 Morgan Silver Dollar

by Deb
(Utah)

Question: I have several morgan dollars ranging from 1900 to 1922. I have looked for the mint mark, under the eagle and above the 'D', but cannot see a mint mark there. Where do I look now?

My Answer: If you don't see a mint mark on a Morgan Silver Dollar, it just means that it was minted at the United States Mint in Philadelphia.
Since the Philadelphia Mint was the first mint established in the United States, and the only one for a long time, no mint marks were necessary
since everyone knew that all United States coins were coming from the Philadelphia Mint.
Later, when other mints were established, they each used a different mint mark to distinguish which mint made each coin. Coins from Philadelphia, however, still did not bear mint marks. The first 'P' mint mark did not appear on United States coins until 1942.
To read more about mint marks on United States coins, and to learn when a 'P' mint mark was actually used on coins from the Philadelphia Mint, go to The Historical Use of Mint Marks and scroll down the page a little ways.
I should also mention that this not only applies to Morgan Silver Dollars, but to all United States coins. If there is not a mint mark on the coin, you can assume that it was minted at the Philadelphia Mint.
Keep in mind, however, that there were a few years when mint marks were not used on any United States coins.
In an attempt to keep collectors from knowing which coins were made at the branch mints in smaller numbers (limited strikes), the Coinage Act of 1965 approved the dropping of mint marks from all coins.
It was believed this would put a stop to coin shortages caused by collectors hoarding limited strikes, so United States coins dated 1965 through 1967 do not have mint marks and it is impossible to tell which mint they came from.
If you have any further questions about mint marks on United States coins, click the link below and add it to the comments section of the page and I will try my best to answer quickly.