Updated Feb 17, 2025

1921 Silver Dollar Value: History, Value Chart, Features, and More

With a familiarized buzz of Lincoln’s Wheat penny among the numismatists, parties also started giving limelight to the 1921 silver dollar. These dollar coins were circulating collectively with wheat pennies, like the 1919 wheat penny and the 1943 steel penny, and somewhere currently values similar to the 1945 wheat penny.

Indeed, owning one can be your quest for a high amount of money. So why wait anymore? Let’s directly hop onto the value evaluation and read some other prominent aspects related to the 1921 silver dollar value. 

What is the 1921 Silver Dollar? 

1921 Silver Dollar

Designed by George T. Morgan, the 1921 silver dollar is a big, beautiful, and one of the unique coins minted in the history of the US mintage. This dollar coin was first officially produced in 1921 and is valued the highest among the silver dollar coins. 

The 1921 Morgan silver dollar values depend on several factors, with conditioning being the topmost parameter for valuation. Although a circulated 1921 silver dollar coin can only be worth $1–15, a pristine condition (the MS64 or above) coin can go up to thousands of dollars. 

Historical Significance of the 1921 Silver Dollar 

The reign of silver dollar coins started with the enactment of the Coinage Act 1873. It was the time when the Morgan dollar was first introduced in the country. Due to the silver in the composition of the dollar coin, the economy faced money-hoarding issues during 1893, 1894, and 1895. This led to a shortage of silver in the reserves and raised the rate of inflation in the economy. 

After the outbreak of World War II, the US melted its silver dollar coins to help the British from the claims and demands of Germany. This resulted in the approval of the Pittman Act of 1918, which approved the melting of more than 270,000,000 silver dollars. 

1921 Silver Dollar Value Chart

The 1921 United States silver dollar value depends on various factors, which include condition. There are numerous grades to evaluate the coin valuation, each defining the different stages of conditions. 

Thoroughly go through the table and know how much your 1921 silver dollar S is worth. 

DateG-VGF-VFEFAUMS (60 -67)
1921 No Mint Mark Silver Dollar Value$31 – $33$33 – $35$37$42$220 – $10,545
1921 S Silver Dollar Value$32 – $35$35 – $37$38$44$400 – $19,200
1921 D Silver Dollar Value$31 – $33$33 – $35$37$42$300 – $15,320
1921 CC Silver Dollar Value$31 – $33$34 – $36$38$43$370 – $17,460
1921 O Silver Dollar Value$31 – $33$34 – $36$38$43$385 – $18,200

These are just the assumptions; the actual value may differ. Your coin could either hold a lower or higher value than the figures mentioned in the aforementioned table. 

How much is a Silver Coin Dollar Worth?

From 1794 to 1935, the silver dollar coins were in continuous minting and circulation, as the cost of used silver was lower than a dollar. But as time passes, the amount of silver used in the coins becomes higher than a dollar, leading to the discontinuation of these coins. 

To evaluate the 1921 silver dollar value, you need to multiply the amount of pure silver used with the latest per ounce of silver.

As of February 5, 2025, the per-ounce value of silver is $32, and there are 0.7735 ounces of pure silver available in a silver dollar coin. This concludes that currently, the silver coin dollar is worth around $24.7.

Notable Features of the 1921 Silver Dollar 

Owning a 1921 Morgan silver dollar first comes with witnessing the physical features. Moreover, these also contribute to learning the identifiers of a real coin. 

Left Facing Portrait of Lady Liberty 

Left Facing Portrait of Lady Liberty on silver dollar

The obverse of the 1921 silver dollar S coins comprises an engraving of Lady Liberty with flowy hair and a headband with “LIBERTY” mentioned at the front. Along with this, the rim of the coins is engraved with the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM”  with the year of minting. 

Engraved American Eagle at the Reverse

Engraved American Eagle at the Reverse on silver dollar

On the reverse, the silver dollar coin is engraved with the American bald eagle, the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” and rim engravings with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” & “ONE DOLLAR.” 

Composition and Weight 

Composition and Weight of 1921 silver dollar

The Morgan silver coins are composed of 90% silver with 10% copper. You can identify a real one from its actual weight and size. A real 1921 silver dollar coin would weigh 26.73 grams with an actual radius of 19.05 mm. 

Mints

Mint mark of 1921 silver dollar

All the 1921 silver dollar coins that you can see ultimately came from the three mints of Philadelphia, San Francisco, New Orleans, Carson City, and Denver. The mint of the coin can be identified from the mint mark on the obverse, like “CC” for Carson City, “S” for San Francisco, “O” for New Orleans, and “D” for Denver. 

How to Know if Your 1921 Silver Dollar is Real? 

With thousands of real ones circulating among the economy and interested parties, the inclusion of counterfeits has also been observed by experts. This has resulted in fraud and scam deals in the market. Therefore, we have piled up all the indicators that help in identifying a real 1921 Morgan silver dollar coin. 

  • Thickness and Diameter: The physical features like the diameter and thickness of the 1921 silver dollar coin can also be used to differentiate between a real and fake coin. A real coin has a 38.1 mm diameter with 2.4–3.1 mm thickness. Remember that coins that don’t exactly match these measurements could also be real. Slight variations in the specifications are covered under the margin of minting errors. 
  • Weight: Weighing the 1921 silver dollar is one of the best approaches to verifying if you have a real coin or a fake one. A real 1921 Morgan silver dollar coin weighs 23.73 grams on the scale, whereas any fake ones can vary on the scale. 
  • Sound: The silver dollar coins have a 90% silver composition, which makes them sound like a high-pitched ring sound when hit with something. On the other hand, fake coins made with copper alloys have a hollow voice. 
  • Font Size: It is another identifier that differentiates between real and counterfeits. A real 1921 silver dollar has engraved words in serif style, whereas counterfeits come in different fonts with a shallow struck design. 
  • Metal Composition: A real silver dollar coin comes with a 90% silver and 10% copper composition. Hence, it will not get attracted to magnets. If your silver coin is attracted to the magnet, it means that it has iron or some alloy of iron that is attracted to the magnet. 
  • Mint Mark: Ensure that your 1921 silver dollar penny is engraved with either CC, S, O, or D, or has no mark. This is mainly because the 1921 Morgan Silver Dollar value coins are only minted in Carson City, San Francisco, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Denver. Any different mint mark means the coin is most likely a counterfeit. 

Bottom Line 

The 1921 silver dollar coin value is one of the most perplexing issues, as it is one of such coins that is minted in more than 3 different mints. And over to that, it has some of the highest numbers of counterfeits in the market. Hence, this guide will help you find the right 1921 Morgan silver dollar value along with the identifiers to differentiate between fake and real coins. 

Remember that the value of these coins can vary depending on combinations of factors. So, consult an expert collector or an experienced numismatic for accurate value evaluation before purchasing it.

Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the mint mark on a 1921 silver dollar?

The mint mark of the 1921 silver dollar coins is struck on the obverse, right below the engraving of the American bald eagle between the olive branches and the word “ONE DOLLAR.”

What makes a 1921 peace dollar rare with no mint mark?

The 1921 Peace Dollar is a rare coin because it was authorized by President Warren G. Harding without specific congressional authorization.

Which is the rarest 1921 silver dollar?

The S-mark 1921 United States silver dollar value is the highest among such coins, as it has the lowest mintage figures, with only 100,000 coins having been produced. 

What is the 1921 silver dollar value in the market?

The 1921 silver dollar was composed of 90% silver. Hence, when melted, it can be worth around $24.7. 

What should I do to evaluate the value of my 1921 silver dollar coin?

Consulting a well-known numismatist or expert is the best way to rightly evaluate the value of your 1921 silver dollar coin. For instance, PCGS and NGC are some of the best parties for inspection. 

How much is a 1921 silver dollar worth?

The 1921 silver dollar’s worth depends on several factors, like conditions, error, and mint mark. 

Author - Suprabha Bhosale
Suprabha Bhosale

Finance Writer

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