Peace Dollar (1921-1935)

Peace Dollar (1921-1935): A Brief History

The 90% silver Peace dollar, designed by Anthony de Francisci, replaced the Morgan dollar in 1921. In 1928, when the silver minting requirements of the Pittman Act were met, production of the Peace dollar halted. Peace dollars were minted again for a short period between 1934 and 1935. In 1964, 316,000 Peace dollars were struck in Denver but were never released for circulation and were instead melted down. The 90% silver Peace
dollar, designed by Anthony de Francisci, replaced the Morgan dollar in 1921. In 1928, when the silver minting requirements of the Pittman Act were met,
production of the Peace dollar halted. Peace dollars were minted again for a short period between 1934 and 1935. In 1964, 316,000 Peace dollars were struck in Denver but were never released for circulation and were instead melted down.
Peace dollars were the last 90% silver dollars struck. Silver dollars weren’t minted again until the introduction of 40% silver Eisenhower dollars in 1971.

The design of Peace dollars symbolized the peace that came after World War I. The obverse features Liberty wearing a diadem like the one worn by the Statue of Liberty. The model for Liberty was Anthony de Francisci’s wife, Theresa. The reverse design originally featured a broken sword. Due to
the public’s disapproval, thinking the sword meant defeat, the design was changed to remove the sword before production. Initially struck in high relief, the coin was found impractical, and the design modified in 1922.

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