OK, so I have read that when they resumed minted Morgan Dollars in 1921 for one year only, they did so with a modified design. I have often wondered what they changed in the design. I don't have a MS example of a 1921 Morgan to compare to earlier designs so I was hoping someone could point out the changes they made for me. I have often wondered. Thanks!!! Also, why were the changes made?
Here is a comparison photo. Other than the details looking more defined and the lettering more bold, I don't see much difference.
I highlighted a bunch of subtle differences that I saw from a quick glance. Looks to me like there are substantial detail differences. Of course, these may be endemic to all Morgans as I am not that familiar with them. Not trying to nitpick or anything! Compare the coins side-by-side and look at the areas that I circled, you will see what I mean. Of course, I have no idea if these are endemic to the 1921 or not.
The biggest difference I think you will notice by eye is the breast feathers (flat with little detail).
Sorry about that, I used a 1901-O which has a pretty soft strike and is not really indicative of the initial Morgan design. Here is a comparison with an 1881-S. The problem is that I don't have any untoned Morgans other than the 1921-S. I really don't see much difference other than the boldness of the lettering and improved detail of the devices.
By the way. In 1910 the original hubs used for the morgan dollars were destroyed. An 1878 morgan dollar was used along with some changes in making the 1921 hubs.
OK, I didn't know that...but that makes sense. Thanks! Also, thanks for the images guys. I can see the differences in those pics, that's exactly what I was looking for.
Here's a very obvious difference I noticed over the years that I haven't been able to find referenced anywhere. On all the '21 Morgans I've seen, regardless of mint, this applies. Only one berry, as opposed to two, where indicated. In fact, this appears to be the dead giveaway for a '21 Morgan reverse. Double-click the image to see it bigger. Check your '21 Morgans to verify it... EDIT: As an aside, it's my understanding that they've identified four Morgan reverses (starting with the 1878), and that they refer to this '21 reverse as Reverse D, returning to the style of the parallel top arrow feather and flat eagle's breast. Easier I think than looking at arrows and feathers to just look for that single berry to know it's a '21 Morgan reverse...
Eddie, it looks like they changed the whole second sprig of leaves, and the berry was lost when they raised up an additional leaf. Interesting. Thanks. Jim
Looks like the bird got a new beak also. I would have given the lady a new schnoz, personally. Maybe like the one from the peace dollar figure!
There were many reverse dies used, but they are primarily known by four designations (A, B, C, D). The "D" reverse was used for 1921. These get broken into the D1 with 17 berries and D2 with 16 berries. If you compare to the C reverse used n 1904, the arrow feathers are parallel instead of slanted, the reverse stars are larger, eagle's breast is flat, branch is bent in the eagle's right talon, reverse lettering is different (mostly the E and T). The obverse is also different from prior years. Eyelash is missing, nose not engraved as deeply, upper lip is different, lower lip not as raised, no crease above chin, cotton bolls are different, hairlines more pronounced. I don't have these things memorized. I'm quoting from the VAM book. There are other differences. For example, in 1921, the date was in the master die so the positioning is all the same.
"D1 with 17 berries and D2 with 16 berries" 1921 which coin is more valuable 17 berries or 16 berries? where are the 17 berries all located?
While we're at it... is it worth it to get '21 Morgans graded? Mine isn't MS, I don't think, but it's in pretty good shape... probably AU55 or AU58 with a nice golden toning.
There is a little notch on Lady Liberty's throat. It doesn't look like it there anymore on the 1921 coins.
If you look at the next group of berrirs down you will also see the inner berry overlaps the leaf on the 21 and it is separated from the leaf on the earlier one.
The first place I look on those is at the arrow feathers, and the second is at the eagle's breast. The 1921 has parallel arrow feathers much like the 1878 8TH and 1878 7TF, reverse of 1878. However, unlike those, it has a rounded breast on the eagle; the aforementioned 1878 varieties have a concave breast. Of course, if you're looking at a mintmarked coin, it's a giveaway -- the mintmark on the 1921 is much smaller than the mintmark from any other year. It's even more of a giveaway if it's a D-Mint.
