Mike B. asks: Hello, what is the weight in ounces for the Morgan and Peace dollars? What about the Walking liberty and Franklin halves? Thanks Mike
After reading many messages from our visitors I get the impression that many people believe that coins are struck on blanks that are only approximate weight. This is not true. When coins were made of precious metal the coin’s weight was critical to its value. In the early days of the Mint, there were rooms filled with employees whose job was to weigh newly minted coins to ascertain their weight was correct. Heavy coins were scored with a file and the metal dust was gathered and melted. “Adjustment” marks are common on early U.S. precious metal coins. Light weight coins were remelted.
Morgan and Peace Dollars weigh exactly the same, 26.73 grams. The coins are 90% silver and 10% copper. The actual pure silver content is .77344 troy ounces. Walking Liberty and Franklin half dollars weigh 12.5 grams are 90% silver and 10% copper and contain .36169 troy ounces pure silver.
