1879 Morgan School Girl Dollar

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by JeffC, Mar 12, 2021.

  1. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    Question for the historians here. Why was the Morgan School Girl Dollar dated 1879? Was there an intention by the Mint to replace the design (as we know it today) just one year after the Morgan Dollar was first minted? Thanks.

    Morgan School Girl Dollar1.jpg Morgan School Girl Dollar2.jpg
    (This is not my coin.)
     
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  3. potty dollar 1878

    potty dollar 1878 Well-Known Member

    Intreasting coin design that eagle looks like its going to hurl.
     
  4. SensibleSal66

    SensibleSal66 U.S Casual Collector / Error Collector

  5. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Roger Burdette wrote a book on the Morgan Dollar girl.
     
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  6. tibor

    tibor Supporter! Supporter

    This coin, above all other U.S. mint designs, is the most beautiful
    created. I've held to in my hands in the past 35 years. I would give
    anything to own one. Just my opinion.
     
  7. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    Lol. It's meant to be a defiant look, I think.
     
  8. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    I didn't know. Thanks. Maybe the answer can be found within.
     
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  9. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    Wow!!! How? Were you working at the auction house when it was on the block?
     
  10. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    There are 13 pearls visible on her necklace.
     
  11. tibor

    tibor Supporter! Supporter

    I was at coin conventions at dealer tables. She is a thing of beauty!!
     
  12. KBBPLL

    KBBPLL Well-Known Member

    "Mint officials were reportedly unhappy with the issued Morgan dollar design, but once it achieved a workable average die life, it made little practical sense to risk its replacement. "

    "The aptly named Schoolgirl dollar pattern is credited to George T. Morgan, designer of the eponymous circulating silver dollars that were roundly condemned at the time of their issue. Casting around for more pleasing designs that were never adopted, Morgan developed this delightful portrait of a young, fresh-faced Liberty."

    No historian here, just a couple quotes I quickly dug up off the web.
     
  13. JeffC

    JeffC Go explore something and think a happy thought!

    Thanks. So they were considering a change. I need to improve my research skills. Lol.
     
  14. GeorgeM

    GeorgeM Well-Known Member

    The Morgans were referred to as "Bland Dollars" at the time of their inception (after the Bland Act). They were not well liked by collectors or the general public.

    The model for them was also outraged that her name had been leaked to the press. As an aspiring school teacher, it was considered very risque that she had posed for such a work. And, she had been promised anonymity...

    Both reasons that Morgan may have gone back to the drawing board in 1879. And the 8 tail-feather error (as remarked upon by various naturalists) was still a fresh goad on him.
     
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  15. calcol

    calcol Supporter! Supporter

    The coin is J-1608. Probably fewer than 15 exist. This particular coin is from the Lemus collection and was sold by Heritage in 2009 for $115,000. A picture of it in its NGC slab is below. A “cheap” lower grade example might be bought for $50,000 if you’re lucky.

    In many years of the 19th century, dozens of pattern designs were produced annually. To learn more about patterns, buy the standard reference: United States Pattern Coins, 10th ed. by J. Hewitt Judd. Published by Whitman and not very expensive.

    Factoid: This particular coin was actually owned by Hewitt Judd himself.

    Cal

    y.jpg
     
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