| The Peace Dollar is the United States silver dollar | | | | The Pittman Act of 1918 helped solve the |
| that was made from 1921 to 1928, and then | | | | problem. Previously uncirculated Morgan silver |
| again in 1934 and 1935. It was originally made to | | | | dollars were now allowed to be melted down for |
| celebrate the end of World War I, but it was also | | | | use in making the new Peace Dollar. George T. |
| put into circulation for public use. | | | | Morgan, designer of the Morgan silver dollars, lost |
| This silver dollar was designed by an | | | | out on the chance to design the new |
| Italian-American sculptor named Anthony de | | | | commemorative ones to Anthony de Francisi. |
| Francisi. Theresa de Francisi, wife of Anthony, | | | | The Peace Dollar started production on December |
| was the model for his Lady Liberty design used | | | | 21, 1921, and went into circulation on January 3, |
| on the obverse of the coin. The original design for | | | | 1922. That was also the day that President |
| the reverse was that of a bald eagle standing on, | | | | Harding was given the first one. However, by |
| or holding, a broken sword. However, this was | | | | 1928, there still wasn't enough of a demand for |
| viewed as a symbol of defeat, so the sword was | | | | silver dollars, so production was halted once again. |
| replaced with an olive branch, which is known as a | | | | It returned for a short time in 1934 and 1935 |
| peace symbol. It was named the Peace Dollar | | | | because there was a need for Silver certificate |
| because the word "peace" is on the reverse side | | | | backing. |
| of the coin. | | | | The casino industry in Nevada almost made the |
| Originally, the idea for a silver dollar to | | | | silver dollar return in 1964. Congress approved the |
| commemorate the ending of World War I was | | | | making of 45 million silver dollars that year. |
| the brainchild of Frank G. Duffield, editor of an | | | | However, in 1965, with a shortage of silver, the |
| American magazine called The Numismatist. He | | | | renewed Peace Dollar project was dropped and all |
| published a paper asking for this, and it was | | | | those minted were sent back into the melting pot. |
| meant to be presented at the 1918 convention of | | | | For the collector, these special coins are highly |
| The American Numismatic Association. However, | | | | desirable. It takes only 24 date and mint marks to |
| the world wide Spanish flu epidemic of that year | | | | complete a set and is very reasonable to |
| put a halt to the convention. | | | | assemble in About Uncirculated or Brilliant |
| At the 1920 ANA convention, it resurfaced again | | | | Uncirculated condition. |
| through a paper written by Farran Zerbe. He | | | | There were some proofs made in 1921 and 1922 |
| asked for a coin designed to show democracys | | | | that are very rare. These can be worth several |
| ideals. It was suggested that this coin be either a | | | | tens of thousands of dollars. Some Peace Dollars |
| half dollar or a dollar so there would be enough | | | | made in 1921, 1925, 1928, and 1934 are |
| room for the design. | | | | considered to be quite rare, especially in the higher |
| The biggest problem is that there had been no | | | | mint states, and are highly sought after by |
| dollar coin made for public circulation since 1904. | | | | serious collectors. |