1926 Silver Dollar Value: How Much is it Worth Today?
The value of the 1926 silver dollar has risen over time, making it one of the most sought-after coins among collectors.
In this comprehensive guide to its value, we hope to provide you with the tools you will need if you are considering purchasing one or if you have inherited this coin and are curious about its worth.
To understand the value of a coin, you should consider its history, its type of design, and all of its components. From what a mint mark is and where it comes from to the market value of these coins.
While coins that have been in circulation are accessible to anyone with a few dollars, well-preserved specimens in gem condition can be worth significant sums of money.
Read on to find out all the details about this fascinating coin.
1926 Peace Silver Dollar Value Chart |
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| Quality | 1926 No Mint Mark Peace Silver Dollar Value | 1926 San Francisco (S) Peace Silver Dollar Value | 1926 Denver (D) Peace Silver Dollar Value |
| Good | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Very Good | $29 | $29 | $29 |
| Fine | $33 | $33 | $33 |
| Extremely Fine | $40 | $40 | $40 |
| Uncirculated | $43 | $43 | $43 |
| MS 60 | $47 | $47 | $47 |
| MS 63 | $64 | $71 | $98 |
| MS 65 | $623 | $1203 | $1113 |
From 1921 to 1928, silver dollars were minted, again in 1934 and 1935. The coin was also commemoratively minted in 2021.
Anthony de Francicsi, the artist commissioned to design the coin, won a contest in which he was not the favorite. He was, in fact, the least experienced contestant, and his victory over Brenner, who already had several designs to his name, came as quite a surprise.
It was later revealed that the artist based the character of Lady Liberty on his wife, Teresa de Francisci. This is a happy coincidence because the wife stated that when she first arrived in America, she was always impressed by the image of the Statue of freedom. She even tells that she always wanted to represent her in school performances.
Who would have guessed that only a few years later, she would be the model for Lady Liberty’s immortalization in the peace dollars, the last coin minted in pure silver?
Even though the coin received rave reviews from the start, it had to be redesigned on the reverse before it went into circulation.
The reverse of the coin depicted an eagle severing a sword as a symbol of the war’s end, but the Treasury and Congress requested that the reverse be redesigned with a symbol that does not stand up to other interpretations. As a result, they ultimately decided that the eagle with an olive leaf in its claws represented peace in a better way.
This coin was reissued for two years, in 1934 and 1935, and again in 2021, to commemorate the coin’s 100th anniversary. Many people believe that because it was not produced in large quantities, it is a very valuable coin, and it is, but it is not as rare as many believe, and it only acquires true value in extremely high degrees of preservation.
1926 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) Peace Silver Dollar Value
Collectors regard the 1926 Peace Silver Dollar as one of the most important and valuable coins of all time. Peace silver dollars are unique because they did not go through a lengthy minting process. However, those from 1926 are one-of-a-kind and extremely expensive.
Coins in good condition can be found for $20 to $40, but coins that have never been in circulation and have a high degree of conservation can cost thousands of dollars.
This is because there aren’t many specimens that have withstood the test of time and retained all of their details.
Furthermore, the 1926 coins have a very unusual detail that no other coin of the same type from different years has ever had.
The word GOD is highlighted in high relief in the phrase IN GOD WE TRUST. Some believe that this was done on purpose because theories of evolution and scientific data contradicted ideas and concepts that were already pre-established by religion at the time.
However, it was most likely a design or execution error. The fact that previous or subsequent years’ peace dollars never featured the word GOD in high relief is proof of this.
This minor detail distinguishes the 1926 coin and is one of the primary reasons why it has become so well-known, sought after, and desired by coin collectors worldwide.
In 1926, the Philadelphia mint produced 1,939,000 coins. Surprisingly, it is one of the lowest productions for the Philadelphia mint, even though it is the mint responsible for minting the most coins in annual production.
Philadelphia produced the fewest coins for the 1926 coin.
However, you should not be misled by this information. The Philadelphia specimens appear to have withstood the test of time well, and it is estimated that several hundred thousand coins are still in circulation.
However, gem-quality coins can be very expensive, and you’ll need at least a thousand dollars to get your hands on one.
Obverse
The peace dollar was created to commemorate the years of peace that followed World War I. That is why the coin’s central image is Lady Liberty with a spiked diadem, which is very similar to the image of the Statue of Liberty.
The artist who won the coin design competition was named Anthony de Francisci, and it is said that he was inspired to draw Lady Liberty’s face by the face of his wife.
Later, the artist revealed that he opened the window in the room where he was drawing the model to allow the wind to blow naturally. Through this technique, Lady Liberty’s hair and locks are so finely detailed.
In addition to Lady Liberty’s profile face, we can see the words LIBERTY on the upper edge of the coin and IN GOD WE TRUST, which is separated by the bust of Lady Liberty. TRUST is on the right side, just behind Lady Liberty’s back, and IN GOD WE are on the left.
The coin’s year of issue is located on the bottom edge, and the artist’s initials are located between the end of Lady Liberty’s neck and the date of issue.
Coins minted in Philadelphia do not have a mint mark, so looking for any letter to identify them is not necessary.
Reverse
The American eagle, one of the most iconic characters on all United States coins, is the main character on the coin’s reverse.
As the original design featured an eagle breaking a sword with its talons as a symbol of the end of the war, the reverse design had some complications.
However, many people perceived it as an unfavorable portrayal. Many critics claimed that the image could be interpreted as a symbol of defeat, so they changed it to an American eagle looking out at the horizon with an olive branch between its legs.
The top edge of the coin bears the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the reverse. The phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM appears just below. It’s a Latin phrase that means: one of many. It is a phrase that has always accompanied United States coins.
The words ONE DOLLAR are at the eagle’s feet, and the word PEACE is just below the mountain mound where the eagle rests.
You don’t need to look for a mint mark on coins minted in Philadelphia.
Value
Coins in good condition can be worth anywhere between $20 and $80. Gem-quality coins will never be less than $100, and their value will rise in direct proportion to the degree of conservation.
The MS 65 coin can sell for around $6,000, while the MS 67 coin sold for $120,000 in 2021, setting the record.
1926 San Francisco (S) Peace Silver Dollar Value
In 1926, the San Francisco mint produced 6,980,000 coins. Coins from San Francisco are very common today, with prices ranging from 30 to 65 dollars under normal conditions.
To identify a San Francisco coin, look for the letter “S” just below the word ONE on the reverse side of the coin.
Value
Mint state coins are also widely available, with MS 63 or MS 65 state coins costing less than $100 each.
However, MS67 and higher- coins are scarce and sell for thousands of dollars. MS 66 coins can be purchased for around $18,000, while MS 67 coins can be purchased for around $40,000.
In 2019, the most expensive coin from the San Francisco Mint sold for $41,125.
Most 1926 mint state S-mint silver dollars are available in MS-63 to MS-65, with MS-66 being extremely rare and only known to exist in a few hundred. The value of a 1926 S-mint dollar in mint uncirculated condition ranges from $17,500 for MS-66 coins to $40,000 for MS-67 coins. The most valuable 1926-S silver dollar was valued at $41,125 in 2019, according to PCGS price guides.
1926 Denver (D) Peace Silver Dollar Value
In 1926, the Denver mint produced 2,348,700 coins, making it the second-highest-producing mint.
Look for the “D” mintmark on the reverse of a Denver coin to identify it. It can be found just below the word ONE.
Denver silver dollars are very common in circulation, but they can gain significant value if they are uncirculated or have a gem grade.
Value
The value of a peace dollar that has been in circulation can vary. From good to excellent. Uncirculated coins are those with a grade higher than the Extra fine.
Coins in circulation can range in price from $20 to $120. But something strange happens with coins ranging from MS 60 to MS 64. Because there are so many specimens with this level of preservation, the price does not fluctuate much, and you can still get this coin for a few hundred dollars.
MS 66 and MS 67 have rare specimens. Prices range from $7,000 to nearly $30,000.
In 2015, the most expensive coin to come from Denver was auctioned off for $47,000. It was an MS 67 coin of exceptional quality.
1926 Peace Silver Dollar Grading
Understanding the various degrees of conservation in a coin is essential for calculating its market value. Coins that have been in circulation are generally less expensive than those that are uncirculated or in higher grades. We’ve included a video with valuable information so you can learn more about the value of the 1926 Peace dollar.
Rare 1926 Peace Silver Dollar Error List
Because of its pure silver composition and the context in which it was minted, the 1926 peace dollar is already a rare coin, but if it has a minting error, the value of the coin increases significantly.
On the 1926 coins, there are two known errors.
1926 Denver Peace Silver Dollar Reverse Misaligned Die
This is an error from the Denver mint. The coin’s design is slightly off. When the malleus and anvil are not perfectly aligned, this occurs.
This error can be seen on the obverse of the coin in the sun’s rays, which are subtly wedged to the right. However, do not declare victory because this error is quite common, and one of these coins in good condition should be at most $50.
1926 Peace Silver Dollar Obverse Crossed Out
This is the most common error in coin minting. It occurs when a particle or impurity enters the minting machines and strikes the coin.
Many of these flaws are minor and not major, but they are the ones that attract collectors’ attention.
One of these coins from the San Francisco factory can be purchased for $65. When we compare 1926 coins to coins from other years, the value of the coins with errors is much lower.
1926 Peace Silver Dollar FAQ
What is the error on a 1926 silver dollar?
The most well-known and significant error is the misaligned die. It is made in Denver and costs around $50 per unit.
What makes a 1926 Peace Dollar rare?
Because of their pure silver content, many of these coins have been melted down and only a few remain in circulation. As a result, it is a rare coin that collectors seek.
