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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/1878 one pound silver Morgan Round

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Expert: - 2/4/2011


Question
I have one of these coins #37722. First who made & distributed these? Second are they pure silver (not just coated) & what value do they have today?

Answer
Eugene,

These were made by several different companies, so I cannot answer specificas about yours.

Most likely it is .999 pure silver -- it should be marked somewhere on the coin (perhaps on the edge?)

Some companies were misleading in what they actually meant by "One Pound" -- some used Standard measurements when they should have been using Troy measurements (all precious metals are measured in Troy ounces).  So you need to get your round weighed in grams and then divide by 31.1 to get Troy ounces.

As for purity, if it is not marked, there is no way to tell whether it is pure or plated or whatever without doing some first-hand tests.

If it is marked with .999 someplace or if it says "Troy Pound" (which is 12 Troy ounces), that will help determine what you have.  If it is marked Sterling, that means it is only .925 pure.

I hope this helps,

Dan

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

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Dan Moore

Expertise

My strong familiarity with all U.S. Mint coins, extensive reference library, and close relationships with many other dealers allows me to identify just about any coin made in the USA. I receive regular updates to all the current price guides -- both wholesale & retail -- to provide accurate values. So, with a good description or pictures, I should be able to identify and value any U.S. coin you have.

Experience

I've been a coin dealer since the 1980's and a coin collector since the 1960's. I specialize in U.S. Silver Coins and have an active online website -- The Working Man's Rare Coins -- http://www.workingmancoins.com -- offering information and inventory in U.S. coins.

Organizations I belong to :
American Numismatic Association Member #187770
Michigan State Numismatic Society Member #8255
Florida United Numismatics Member #19710
Monroe Coin Club Treasurer
Lincoln Coin Club Board Member
WINS Member #14
CoinMasters Member #1814

Frequently Asked Questions :
I have created a Frequently Asked Questions page on my website, where you may be able to get an immediate answer to your question. You can find the page here :
http://www.workingmancoins.com/FAQ/index.htm


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