TRIVIA: The W(s) of Peace Dollars

The W(s) of Peace Dollars:

Why Were Peace Dollars Made?

The original inspiration for the Peace Dollar was a paper published in the November 1918 issue of The Numismatist, the magazine of the American Numismatic Association. In it, editor Frank G. Duffield called for a commemorative coin to mark the impending end of World War I. Here's a paragraph from the publication:

"An event of international interest, and one worthy to be commemorated by a United States coin issue, is scheduled to take place in the near future. The date has not yet been determined, but it will be when the twentieth century vandals have been beaten to their knees and been compelled to accept the terms of the Allies... It should be issued in such quantities that it will never become rare, and it should circulate at face value."

The theme for the proposed coin was elaborated upon at the Chicago ANA convention of August 1920. A paper written by Farran Zerbe called for a coin that would showcase the ideals of democracy, liberty, prosperity, and honor. The proposal called for either a half dollar or dollar, in order to provide as much space as possible for the design.

Since the Pitman Act required the minting of new silver Dollars, the Mint resumed the striking of Morgan Silver Dollars (last produced in 1904) on May 9, 1921. On that same day legislation introduced in Congress called for the issuance of a commemorate Silver Dollar to celebrate Post World War I peace.

Who Designed the Peace Dollar?

The job of designing the new coin would normally have fallen to George T. Morgan, the mint's chief engraver and designer of the Morgan Dollar. But in compliance with an executive order by then President Warren G. Harding an open design competition for the new dollar was held by the Commission of Fine Arts.

Nine artists participated, including three former coin designers Adolph A. Weinman (Mercury Dime), Herman A. MacNeil (Standing Liberty Quarter), and Victor D. Brenner (Lincoln Head Cent). The winner of the competition was an Italian immigrant and sculptor, Anthony de Francisci, whose most recent work had been the design of the Maine Centennial half dollar in 1920.

1920 Maine Centennmial Half Dollar Commemorative Obverse:

http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1346.html

1920 Maine Centenniual Half Dollar Commemorative Reverse:

http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-1347.html

When Did Mintage Begin?

Production of the Peace Dollar commenced on December 21, 1921, and it was placed into circulation on January 3, 1922. That same day, President Harding was presented with the first Peace Dollar. Roughly one million examples were struck before it was realized that the relief on the coin was so high that it was difficult to strike, and the dies used were breaking at a high rate. Also, the coins were nearly impossible to stack. The relief was lowered considerably starting with the 1922 issue. 1922 was a unique year as more than 84 million Peace Dollars were struck, the highest mintage of the series.

1921 Peace Dollar Obverse:

http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-4782.html

1921 Peace Dollar Reverse:

http://www.coinpage.com/coin-image-4783.html

1928 was to be the last year of Peace Dollar production because the terms of the Pittman Act would be fulfilled once thgey were struck.

Why Were 1934 and 1935 Peace Dollars Minted?

The Peace Dollar returned briefly in 1934 and 1935, as the government needed additional backing for Silver Certificates.

1934A $5 Silver Certificate:

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Silvercertificate.jpg

If you ever wondered about the W(s) of Peace Dollars, I hope this article helped...

Clinker

 

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Great stuff as always. Still need a 1921, just have a 1925. But they're plentiful.

Its also one of my favorite designs.

 

Hi Mat:

Thanks for the read and comment. My son just completed a set.

Clinker

 

Great to know about my peace dollars =) now i know why i got 2 1922 and my only ones ha. Either way good info hoping to get my morgan and peace dollar collection when i get a job.

 

Hi Derekg:

Thanks for reading and your first comment on one of my posts. I collect world silver coins dated 1935 (my birthyear) so two of my first coins were the '35 P and S Peace Dollars.. I liked them so much, I obtained all the others except the '21 and '28. Then I added about 50 Morgan Dollars to my numismatic holdings.

I pray you get a well paying job soon so you can attain your collecting quest

Clinker

 

Thank for sharing! that!!!

:thumb: Clinker
Great info!!!

 

Hi jello:

A big THANKS for reading my article and for your accolade! Hope to see more in the future...

Clinker

 

Very useful stuff, I'm very fond of this kind of stuff.

 

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Thanks again for the article Clinker.
I bet your son's set is very nice too. Is it his first set to complete?

 

Hi marypabla:

So kind of you to comment on this article. Hope you do so on some of my future trivia articles even if future comments are negative, suggestions or factual omissions...

Clinker

 

My son, who just turned 50, has a complete set of Silver Eagles and a superb set of War Nickels

Clinker

 

The model for the Peace Dollar was Teresa Cafarelli
De Francisci, the wife of the coin's designer, Anthony De Francisci.

She was born in Naples, Italy and moved to the US in 1902.
She died in New York in 1990 at the age of 92.

From Coin Values:

 

very nice article! thanks for sharing!!!

 

Articles like this one are the reason I joined CT. Thanks for this and all your other great informative articles. Looking forward to many more.

 

I have a question, why was a 'V' used in the spelling of "TRUST"?

 

1902-1923's were the Art deco times and the end WWI.A lot of designer often used V for U on US coinage it meant V for Victory.as WWI was thought to be the end of all wars.
But no one knew WWII was a few years ahead!
that my understanding why V was used for U.
someone may have a better explanation.

 

Hi coervi:

In Art Decor (Grecian Alphabet pundits), of which de Francisci was originally schooled in as a medalist, the "V" is actually a "U".

Clinker

 

Thanks, jello for your input

Clinker

 

Thanks willieboyd2...

Clinker