Peace Dollar is a reflection of America’s desire to proceed towards peace and prosperity following the disastrous phase of World War I.
Origin of Peace Dollar
Following World War I, people in America had a desire to design a currency that would be a symbol of peace. To fulfill this purpose, the Peace Dollar was introduced in December 1921. It was created by Italian-American sculptor Anthony de Francisci.
The front of this coin carries the portrait of the Goddess of Liberty, and the back contains a bald eagle perched in a peaceful manner, grasping an olive branch. The message of peace is delivered in this branch.
Design and Symbolism
Anthony de Francisci’s design was rich in profound symbolism. The obverse depicts the Goddess of Liberty adorned with a resplendent crown, which is a nod to the Statue of Liberty and represents freedom and enlightenment.
The reverse depicts an eagle grasping an olive branch, representing peace. The design is symbolic of America’s transition from war to peace and its role in world harmony.
Manufacture and Production History
The Peace Dollar was minted in two significant time frames: initially between 1921 and 1928 and later between 1934 and 1935. Production, however, came to a stop during the Great Depression because demand decreased.
An effort was made to re-issue it in 1964, and 316,076 coins were produced at the Denver Mint. But these coins were not circulated and were eventually melted down. Thus, the existing coins of this edition are extremely rare and illegal.
Modern revival
There was renewed interest in the Peace Dollar in the 2020s. In 2021, to commemorate its 100th anniversary, new Peace Dollars were issued by the U.S. Mint.
This trend followed into 2024, when the 2024-S Reverse Proof Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars were struck. The coins were produced in 0.859 ounces of 99.9% fine silver and were struck at the San Francisco Mint.
These new coins are extremely sought after by collectors and are serving to bring new appreciation for the Peace Dollar’s historical value.
Collecting the Peace Dollar
To coin collectors, who are numismatists, the Peace Dollar is a piece of history and artwork. Some of its varieties are very rare and worth a lot of money, like the 1921 High Relief and the 1928-S Variety.
The 1921 High Relief makes it unique and extremely collectible since this was the sole year that this design was used. The fact that the 1928-S Peace Dollar is rare also makes it more valuable since only 77 copies of it are recorded by PCGS in MS65 grade. Its high-grade estimated price (Gem or better) is estimated at $13,200.
Major Peace Dollar Variants and Their Significance
| Year | Mint Mark | Features | Estimated Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1921 | None | High Relief Design | 1,006,473 |
| 1928 | S | Low mintage, highly collectible | 1,632,000 |
| 1934 | S | Rare in high grade | 1,011,000 |
| 1964 | D | Not issued, all coins melted | 316,076 |
| 2021 | None | 100th Anniversary Edition for Collectors | 200,000 |
Conclusion
The Peace Dollar is still a testament to America’s optimism after the war and hopes for world peace. Its history and stunning artwork continue to entice collectors and historians alike today.
With its newer versions being released by the U.S. Mint, the Peace Dollar’s legacy continues. It reminds us of a time when America was recovering from war and hoping for peace and prosperity.
FAQs
Q1. What is GIOVE-A?
Q2. What were the main objectives of the GIOVE missions?
The GIOVE missions aimed to:
Secure frequency allocations by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for Galileo.
Verify critical technologies such as on-board atomic clocks and navigation signal generators.
Characterize the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) radiation environment for the planned Galileo constellation.