#12: The Morgan Silver Dollar

First minted in 1878 after the Coinage Act of 1873, the Morgan dollar marked the debut of the United States’ standard silver dollar. It quickly gained popularity, leading to massive production runs that filled vaults and coin collections.

Yet, despite its historical charm and age, most Morgan dollars today are valued primarily for their silver content. As Daniel Kalter of Lincoln Square Pawnbrokers notes, unless you’re holding a rare year or mint mark in pristine condition, the actual worth lies more in the metal than the memory.