The 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar: Birth of an American Classic

Few coins capture the spirit of America’s late-19th-century craftsmanship and ambition quite like the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar. It was the very first year of the Morgan series — a coin that would go on to become one of the most beloved designs in U.S. Mint history. From its distinctive artistry to its fascinating early variations, the 1878 issue tells a story of creativity, change, and national pride.

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The Law Behind the Coin

The Morgan Dollar was born out of the Bland-Allison Act, passed by Congress in 1878. This legislation required the U.S. Treasury to buy millions of ounces of silver each month and strike it into coins. The law was intended to support silver mining in the western states and bring silver back into circulation after several years without a silver dollar.

To design this new coin, the Mint turned to George T. Morgan, a talented engraver from England who had joined the Philadelphia Mint just a few years earlier. His fresh artistic approach gave America a new vision of Liberty and a proud new national emblem.

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George T. Morgan’s Design

Obverse: Liberty with a New Face

Morgan’s Liberty was unlike previous allegorical portraits. Instead of the Greek-inspired faces of earlier coins, he modeled her after an American woman, Anna Willess Williams of Philadelphia. Her features represented both beauty and strength — ideals Morgan felt captured the American spirit.

She wears a Phrygian cap (a symbol of freedom) adorned with cotton and wheat, representing the agricultural unity of North and South after the Civil War. The word “LIBERTY” runs across her headband, framed by thirteen stars for the original colonies.

Reverse: The Eagle of Strength and Peace

The reverse displays an eagle with outstretched wings, clutching arrows and an olive branch — strength and peace in perfect balance. A wreath surrounds the bird, with the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR” encircling the design. The motto “In God We Trust” appears above the eagle’s head.

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Specifications

• Designer: George T. Morgan

• Composition: 90 % silver, 10 % copper

• Weight: 26.73 grams

• Diameter: 38.1 mm

• Edge: Reeded

These specifications set the standard for silver dollars for decades to come.

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Mints and Mint Marks

The 1878 Morgans were struck at three mints:

• Philadelphia – no mint mark

• San Francisco – S

• Carson City – CC

The small mint mark can be found beneath the wreath on the reverse, just above the word “DOLLAR.”

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The Tail Feather Mystery

One of the most fascinating aspects of the 1878 Morgan Dollar lies in its tail feathers. Early coins were struck with eight tail feathers on the eagle — based on a mistaken belief about how many feathers an eagle has! Once the error was noticed, the Mint corrected it to seven feathers, resulting in multiple varieties:

• 8 Tail Feathers – the first version

• 7 Tail Feathers – the corrected design

• 7 over 8 Tail Feathers – a transitional die where both designs overlap

These varieties give the 1878 issue a special charm among collectors and history buffs alike.

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A Glimpse of the Gilded Age

The Morgan Dollar represents more than silver and artistry — it captures the Gilded Age, a time of growth, innovation, and optimism in America. Railroads spanned the country, cities rose skyward, and the western frontier buzzed with miners pulling silver from the ground that would soon become these very coins.

Yet many of the 1878 dollars never reached daily circulation. Instead, they were stored in Treasury vaults or issued in limited batches, later released in pristine condition decades later. This unique history is why so many 1878 Morgans still survive in excellent shape today.

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Why Collectors Love the 1878 Issue

• First-Year Release: Marks the debut of an American classic.

• Variety and Character: The 8-feather and 7-feather reverses offer fascinating study opportunities.

• Striking Design: Morgan’s Liberty remains one of the most admired images in U.S. coinage.

• Historical Depth: Each coin carries the story of a nation defining itself through art, industry, and ideals.

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Appreciating the 1878 Morgan Today

When you hold an 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar, you hold the first chapter of a legend. Every detail — from the curve of Liberty’s cap to the feathers of the eagle — speaks of the craftsmanship and pride of its era.

Whether displayed in a collection, studied for its varieties, or simply admired for its design, the 1878 Morgan remains a shining symbol of American creativity and resilience.

Currency and Coin offers hand-selected Morgan Silver Dollars and other historic U.S. coins — each authenticated and presented with care. Explore our collection to discover the artistry and history behind America’s most iconic coins. Click here to explore.