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The 1922-D Peace Silver Dollar, certified MS65 by NGC, is a significant piece in U.S. numismatic history, representing the second year of full production for the Peace Dollar series. The Peace Dollar was introduced in 1921 to commemorate the end of World War I and to symbolize the nation’s hope for peace after years of global conflict. By 1922, the United States Mint had ramped up production, with large quantities of Peace Dollars being struck to meet the demands of the Pittman Act, which required the minting of silver dollars to replace those melted down during the war. The Denver Mint played a crucial role in the production of these coins, and the 1922-D Peace Dollar is one of the more desirable issues from this mint due to its high grade and the quality of its strike.
The design of the Peace Dollar, created by Italian-American sculptor Anthony de Francisci, is one of the most iconic in American coinage. The obverse of the 1922-D Peace Dollar features a striking profile of Liberty facing left, crowned with a radiant tiara that recalls the Statue of Liberty’s headpiece. Her facial expression is calm and serene, embodying the nation’s aspirations for peace and prosperity in the post-war era. The inscription "LIBERTY" is placed above her head, while "IN GOD WE TRUST" appears to either side of her profile, with the classical Latin "TRVST" spelling. Below Liberty’s chin, the date "1922" is inscribed. This simple yet powerful design has become a favorite among collectors and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in U.S. coinage history.
The reverse of the 1922-D Peace Dollar carries on the theme of peace with a majestic depiction of a bald eagle perched on a rock, holding an olive branch in its talon. The eagle, calm and dignified, gazes toward the horizon, where rays of sunlight rise, symbolizing hope for a peaceful future. The reverse design is notable for its tranquil imagery, which contrasts with the more aggressive depictions of eagles found on earlier U.S. coinage, such as the Morgan Dollar. Above the eagle, the inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" is boldly displayed, along with the denomination "ONE DOLLAR." The national motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" is inscribed just below the eagle’s wings. This reverse design, with its symbolic message of peace, complements the obverse beautifully, creating a cohesive and meaningful representation of the nation's values.
The 1922-D Peace Dollar was struck at the Denver Mint, as indicated by the "D" mint mark located on the reverse side of the coin, below the word "ONE." The Denver Mint was established in 1906 to serve the coinage needs of the western United States, where much of the nation’s silver was mined. By 1922, the Denver Mint had become an important facility for producing silver dollars, especially under the mandates of the Pittman Act, which called for the replacement of millions of melted Morgan Dollars with new silver coinage. The 1922-D Peace Dollar is one of the most well-known issues from this mint, with a substantial mintage of 15,063,000 coins. However, high-grade examples like the MS65 are much rarer, as many of these coins were heavily circulated or suffered from weaker strikes, which is a common characteristic of Peace Dollars from the Denver Mint.
The mintage of the 1922-D Peace Dollar was part of the broader effort by the U.S. government to fulfill the requirements of the Pittman Act, which mandated the melting of silver dollars and the subsequent recoinage of silver. The act was passed in 1918 as a response to the high demand for silver during World War I and required the U.S. Mint to replace the melted silver dollars with newly minted coins, which became the Peace Dollar series. As a result, 1922 saw one of the largest mintages of Peace Dollars in the entire series, with over 84 million coins struck across all three mints: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Despite this large mintage, coins in higher grades like MS65 are still relatively scarce, particularly those from the Denver Mint, where many coins were poorly struck or suffered from abrasions during storage and transportation.
The 1922-D Peace Dollar graded MS65 by NGC is a premium example of this issue, exhibiting sharp details and strong luster that set it apart from lower-grade coins. MS65 (Mint State 65) is a high grade for Peace Dollars, indicating that the coin has no significant wear and only minimal contact marks or abrasions, which are typical of coins stored in bulk. In this grade, the coin retains its full original mint luster, with strong strikes on both the obverse and reverse. Peace Dollars from the Denver Mint are known for their varying quality, with some coins displaying weaker strikes and less defined details, particularly on the eagle’s feathers and Liberty’s hair. However, this MS65 example stands out for its overall sharpness and eye appeal, making it a desirable piece for collectors who appreciate both the historical significance and aesthetic beauty of the Peace Dollar series.
The 1922-D Peace Silver Dollar in MS65 condition, certified by NGC, is a remarkable example of one of America’s most iconic coins. Its design, which reflects the nation’s hope for peace and renewal after the devastation of World War I, remains one of the most admired in U.S. coinage. The coin’s historical context, being part of the large-scale minting efforts of the 1920s under the Pittman Act, adds to its significance. Despite the high mintage numbers, finding a 1922-D Peace Dollar in MS65 condition is a rarity, particularly given the challenges of striking high-quality coins at the Denver Mint. This coin, with its sharp details and beautiful luster, is a prized addition to any collection of classic U.S. silver dollars.