2021 Morgan And Peace Dollars. Classic Series Or Not?

...and I think you could say the same thing about half dollars and any other NIFC coinage, but those are clearly coins.

Personally, I lean in favor of continuation. They're the same diameter, same design (even if minted using different dies/technologies), and same denomination. And though the metal composition is different, so is the U.S. Government's stance on silver, in general. Since the first part of the series, we're no longer on the gold standard, nor are silver certificates in play. A continuation need not necessarily maintain the same composition as the government's stance on metals shifts--in the same way that 90% Kennedy halves, 40% Kennedy halves, and clad Kennedy halves are still generally considered to be the same set (of Kennedy halves) and copper cents and zinc cents are still generally considered to be the same set (of Lincoln cents).

One other precedent here is the Morgan set's own (already existing) gap between 1904 and 1921, in which nearly everyone considers the 1921 to be part of the set.

I would imagine that another issue of these in 2022 would confirm a continuation in the minds of most collectors (though I don't think it's necessary for there to be a continuation, either, given the one-year continuation that already happened in 1921).

I will add one exception, however: I do not consider the CC and O Morgans to be continuations, since they weren't actually minted in Carson City or New Orleans.

With respect to composition, I don't think that is a reason to invalidate a continuation of the series. The Indian cent changed composition of its circulation strikes, as did the Kennedy half dollar, Washington quarter, Lincoln Cent, Jefferson nickel and Roosevelt dime as just a few examples.

Not just the dies, the master die had to be created from scratch. All original materials were discarded in 1910.


Excellent points.



For what it worth, we all know how Wikipedia is the end-all, be-all...

But of course, your collection, your rules.

The answer might just depend on when you're alive. Right now most people might view them as part of a different series, but 300 years from now will people view it as part of the same series? I'd bet that people would view them as part of the same series.

True. Time changes our perspectives. Just like our opinions on classic designs are more favourable than those of many who were around when they circulated.

I tend to agree with EDM. I could be convinced however that they are just commeratives. Don't forget several commerative series went multiple years and mints. I liked the issues this year and will be sucked in next year if they are proof or enhanced or ?

One certainty is I will not be spending nearly as much $ with the US Mint next year.