Who was the Morgan Dollar Named for?
George T. Morgan was a talented United States Mint engraver who etched his name into American numismatic history through his popular coin designs- Notably the Morgan dollar.
If you have collected coins for a long time or just spent some time browsing precious metals and numismatics websites, you are probably familiar with the Morgan dollar.
George T. Morgan’s Background
Morgan was born in Birmingham, England, in 1845, where he attended the Birmingham Art School. He later received a scholarship to the South Kensington Art School and began his die engraving career under the tutelage of J.S. and A.B. Wyon.
Wyon’s family had worked for the Tower Mint for generations. Their long-standing relationship with the mint kept their sons employed and precluded George T. Morgan’s advancement in the ranks of engravers.
Background of the Morgan Dollar
Amidst the backlash to the Coinage Act of 1873, the beginnings of the Allison-Bland Act were crafted in 1876. The Act stipulated that the U.S. Treasury was to purchase $2-4 million of silver from western mines monthly to be minted as silver coinage.
While half of the nation was glad to potentially have more silver coins coming down the pipeline, there was a problem: The current silver dollar, the Trade Dollar, was not popular with the American public.
Meanwhile, in 1876, Mint Director Henry Linderman asked C.W. Fremantle, Deputy Master of The Royal Mint, about finding a “first class die-sinker” to work as an Assistant Engraver. Fremantle recommended Morgan and mentioned that while he was known as a gifted engraver, there were no opportunities for advancing his career in England.
After reviewing Morgan’s work, Linderman extended an offer to Morgan, who agreed to work for the U.S. Mint on a 6-month trial basis, arriving in Philadelphia on October 9, 1876. Linderman had informed Morgan early on that he wanted a new head designed for the goddess Liberty on a silver dollar with a stronger eagle.
He first worked on pattern coins that were intended for the half dollar but were eventually used as a prototype for the Morgan silver dollar. For a long period, George Morgan had to work out of rented rooms since William Barber, Chief Engraver of the Mint, refused to make space for Morgan to work in at the Mint.
Morgan enrolled in The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts to prepare himself for creating a new Liberty head design. He also began studying eagles in anticipation of crafting a new reverse design.
Within the first year of beginning his tenure at the Mint, both Morgan and Barber were instructed by Director Henry Linderman to begin designs for a new silver dollar in 1877. Linderman was setting the stage for a rivalry between Morgan and Barber.
William Barber’s design of Liberty’s head was favored by contemporary numismatists, but to Barber’s chagrin, Linderman chose 30-year-old George T. Morgan’s design in 1878.
All said, just less than two weeks elapsed between passing the Allison-Bland Act (February 28), Morgan’s dollar approval, and the first minting of Proof Morgan Silver dollars (March 11)!
What Other Coins Did George T. Morgan Design?
While George Morgan did not design any coins that rivaled his silver dollar, he had an extensive career working for the U.S. Mint. In those years, Morgan designed many pattern coins, including an un-issued $100 Gold Union coin, an 1879 “Schoolgirl,” and an 1882 Shield Earrings coin.
Morgan also produced commemoratives for several U.S. Presidents and had designs featured on postage stamps.
After William Barber’s death, his son, Charles, took his place as the Chief Engraver of the Mint. After Charles Barber’s death, George T. Morgan was made Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint in 1917.
George T. Morgan died on January 4, 1925, at the age of 79.
What Makes the Morgan Dollar Special?
While the Morgan dollar received little attention in the northern and eastern states, it found favor in the west and in the south.
Today, the Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the most popular American coins for collectors that has ever been issued. It is in high demand and commands a significant premium in many grades of its key dates.
The Morgan silver dollar is so special that there is a sizable volume of work dedicated to identifying its die varieties or VAM numbers.
The Morgan Dollar’s Cultural Significance
George T. Morgan’s silver dollar is synonymous with the wild west. It was issued from 1878-1904 and 1921, a pivotal time in American and particularly in western history.
These years saw substantial booms in western silver mining, and the Morgan dollar was struck from this silver. Many Morgan dollars were struck at the Carson City Mint.
Over the years, the Morgan silver dollar has become one of the enduring symbols of the American west and rugged individualism of that age.
