1921 High Relief Peace Dollar

This question makes me feel like a new collector. I been collecting almost fifty years and have more than my fair share of silver dollars. In recent years old dollars make up the bulk of my “silver stacking”. I am reasonably educated for a hobbyist but have never focused on Peace dollars. Last week a friend needed to liquidate much of his collection so I now own a Peace dollar set.

I have always known the 1921 was a high relief design and know the history so I was excited to study one. Well, I have studied and I don’t know if it is my fading vision or that the dollar I have is a circulated dollar. But for the life of me, I am not seeing a dramatic difference between 1921 and the rest of the series. What am I missing here?

 

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I am by no means an expert on '21 peace dollars but I do have one example and was told that it was a fairly flat strike by the dealer that sold it to me. There were a lot that didn't strike up well. I didn't pay a lot for the one I have. The relief is a bit higher along the neck line.

 

I don't know what to tell you, Randy. I see a clear and obvious difference in the relief (including in your photo), but perhaps it's just something that develops in time?

 

You are comparing a BU coin to an EF one...not a fair fight for the '21.

But even so...look at base of neck...

 

I am not sure how much of a difference there is between a 1921 and 1922. Having said that, looking at your photo, your 1921 looks to be a much stronger strike than the rest. Look at the shadow the bottom of the neck and the chin is putting off compared to the rest of them.

 

If you were to put your finger on the edge and slowly push it to the fields, then to the mid area of the bust you can feel the difference between the High Relief and Low Relief. The 1921 drops down more from the rim and rises up more to the bust, thus high relief.

Apparently later 1921s had a different reverse ray arrangement similar to the 1922s.

 

Why do we say "1921 High Relief Peace Dollar?" Are there any Regular Relief 1921's? I'm not being a smart-alleck, it's a sincere question.

 

It’s high relief. The base of the neck shows that. As a Peace collector, I’ve found that a well-struck coin is a treat to find.

 

Randy, I just noticed it in your photos. Notice how the cheek of Liberty on the '21 appears fuller and rounder than the others. I seem to remember that it's called apple cheek and is characteristic of the high relief 21s.

 

Your 1921 is an EF coin - so much of the high point detail has worn off. If you compare a BU 1921 to a BU 1922, you should notice a huge difference. That being said, the 1921 also usually comes poorly struck (one of the reasons they lowered the relief).

Take a look at the 1921 dollars in the Heritage archives, and the difference should become apparent quite quickly.

 

Ok... Ok..... I much appreciate the replies. Taking the dollar from the book makes the high relief quite obvious. Should have removed the coin from the catalog before I wasted forum space. Thanks for entertaining my confusion.

 

Not from what I understand. All were struck as a high relief. And if what I remember is correct, many of those were destroyed in favor of the low relief that began 1922.

 

Yes... I clearly see that now too. Once I took it from the book it became quite obvious.

 

Sales technique. Why do you say 1921 Silver Peace? Is there a 1921 non-silver Peace? Just to make it sound pretty. Some search "high relief Peace" without knowing 1921 was the only year. Would someone (especially a beginner?) buy a "1921 Peace Dollar" or a "1921 High Relief Silver Peace Dollar"? Helps sell faster.

 

I’ll bet that high relief design makes for a spectacular proof..... But at that price point I am sure if I have an opportunity to view one... It will be from a distance!

 

I was taking a picture when the door rang, then I had to go out. Yeah, it becomes quite obvious doesn't it.

You'll probably read about the high relief 1922 (which there are 10 of); and apparently some medium relief 1922s too.
==> https://www.cointalk.com/threads/understanding-the-1921-and-1922-peace-dollar.306988/

how are you liking the Peace Dollars ?

 

The 21 seems EF Details. How the 1928?

 

There are several threads on the 21 Peace, high relief. You can find them with search and practice using it. The first has a posting by burdette showing the relief weakness areas. And I included one other thread also, with different surfaces, etc. About 28 threads total

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/learning-about-the-1921-peace-dollars-strike-quality.287728/

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/understanding-the-1921-and-1922-peace-dollar.306988/


Jim

Here is the url for the list,
https://www.cointalk.com/search/371...title_only]=1&c[node]=4+30+65+18+31+47+7+11+9

 

I would call the 28 Fine-very Fine. Probably closer to Fine.

 

Oh I am enjoying the set, thanks for asking...... So I knew there were 22’s minted high relief. Did not know about a medium relief. My understanding was the 22 high relief’s were all destroyed. So then are the 10 known survivors viewed like the 1933 St Gaudens?