Peace Dollar Value:Silver Content, Key Dates and Year Guides

Quick answer

Compare the designs

1921 · original high-relief design

1925 · later lower-relief example

Types, history & value

Anthony de Francisci’s dollar marked the peace following World War I. In late 1921 it replaced the Morgan dollar, which had returned that same year. The radiate crown and perched eagle create a different visual language from the Morgan bust and spread-wing eagle.

The regular 1921 Peace issue has high relief. Later regular circulation issues use lower relief, with specialized exceptions requiring their own catalog entries. Production stopped after 1928 and resumed in 1934–1935; the date span is not continuous annual production. Modern collector releases revive the design but do not share the original alloy.

Amounts are U.S. dollars. These PCGS retail-guide examples were checked October 21, 2026 for the stated issue and designation. A raw coin needs its own condition assessment; guide figures are not guaranteed sale proceeds and can lag metal prices.

A

1921: identify the first-year high relief

Confirm the Peace portrait. A 1921 date alone is insufficient because Morgan dollars were also issued that year. The radiate crown identifies the Peace design.

Read high points carefully. Strike softness and circulation rub can both reduce visible detail. Luster and surface examination are needed before assigning a grade.

Choose the 1921 comparison. An ordinary later-date guide does not represent the original high-relief issue.

B

1925: read the reverse before choosing a mint

No letter is normal here. The illustrated coin is Philadelphia. An S identifies a different 1925 issue, with its own grade-specific market.

Use the date-and-mint pair. A regular 1925-D issue does not exist. An apparent D requires examination rather than a made-up price row.

Separate surfaces from design. Toning or weak feathers cannot identify a mint. Use the actual letter and the complete coin.

Identification & collecting

Find the mint mark and avoid nonexistent combinations

On original coins, inspect the reverse below ONE near the eagle’s tail. No mark means Philadelphia; D and S appear on dates when those mints participated. Not every year exists from all three. In particular, the normal 1925 issues are Philadelphia and San Francisco, with no regular 1925-D.

The classical V in TRVST is normal lettering. A radiate crown, a V-shaped U or soft hair detail is not automatically an error. Confirm the whole design and date before looking up varieties.

Use a year guide when the question becomes specific

For 1928 Philadelphia or 1934-S, authentication and grade deserve particular care before using a premium. Low original production and survival in high grade are different questions. A common date can be difficult in exceptional preservation, while a scarce issue with cleaning or damage needs a discounted comparison.

Separate a guide, a historical sale and metal

The certificate reference for 1925 MS66 lists a $550 guide and a recorded Stack’s Bowers transaction of $312 on April 12, 2023, lot 92092. Those are two different kinds of evidence, at different times. The historical reported sale total is neither a current offer nor the seller’s net proceeds.

Inspect luster and rub, especially near Liberty’s ear and the eagle’s high points. A weak strike can leave soft detail without circulation wear; cleaning can leave sharp details but damaged surfaces. Read the surface guide before interpreting brightness as Mint State quality.

A modern Peace Proof, reverse Proof or uncirculated collector coin requires its own product and finish comparison. An old-style portrait does not make a modern coin a 1920s issue. Record the actual date before using the original-dollar silver formula.

Summary

FAQ

References