1879 Morgan Schoolgirl Silver Dollar 3-pc Metals Proof Set

The Story Of Morgan's Schoolgirl Dollar

Today, most collectors know George T. Morgan for his legendary Morgan Silver Dollar and his designs for commemoratives and medals. But many of his designs were struck as pattern coins and never released for circulation—including his 1879 Schoolgirl Dollar, which is today among the most celebrated and sought-after American coinage patterns.

Jealously Rears Its Head At The U.S. Mint

Featuring a portrait of a young girl wearing a single strand of pearls, a youthful Lady Liberty is shown facing left, her hair tied with a ribbon. The word LIBERTY is inscribed in her hair band. The "Schoolgirl" name was coined by Harlan P. Smith and David Proskey, owners of the New York Coin and Stamp Company, for an 1891 auction catalogue offering a collection that included one of these coins. The story of the Schoolgirl Dollar begins in 1878 when George T. Morgan's Liberty Head Dollar was rushed into production following the passage of the Bland Allison Act. There were some discussions centered around making an immediate design change—likely fueled in part by the jealously that new United States Mint Chief Engraver William Barber harbored for Morgan.

Three-Piece Proof Collection Featuring Three Different Metals

Here, you can get a limited collector's version consisting of three recreations of the 1879 Morgan Schoolgirl Silver Dollar struck in nickel silver, copper, and golden alloy. Each piece also comes in gorgeous Proof condition, meaning they were expertly crafted from hand-selected planchets, polished dies and multiple strikes to produce beautifully frosted details rising over mirror-like fields. Only 27,500 of these three-piece sets were minted—so act now to get yours!