The logical answer was to use gold for the higher values and silver for the lower ones. A dollar in the early 1880s would be worth around $25 today – so a silver dollar as the main coin made a lot of sense – not too much – not too little – it was pitched just about right.

The 1881 Morgan silver dollar was born into an America which saw the first telephone company formed, along with the Sioux Chief, Sitting Bull, surrendering to US troops in Montana.

Without a doubt the 1879 Morgan silver dollar is a coin worth collecting. Part of the fun is having a coin from each of the mints at which it was struck.

The US has a long history of producing solid gold coins – old gold coins for sale are relatively common – with some notable exceptions. Canada, South Africa and Australia have also been prolific producers of gold coins over the years.

In another twist to this remarkable story, the first “1804” silver one dollar coin was actually minted in 1834. This came about because the US Department of State wanted to organise a “gift” for Asian leaders when it was organising a trade mission.

The silver spot price is quoted in US dollars – to find the local spot price this dollar rate is simply converted into the local currency – whatever prices silver price is quoted in, it is always for one troy ounce of .999 fine silver.

Back in 1921, the world was a different place. America only ended World War I with Germany, that year, by signing the Treaty of Berlin – until then it was still, officially, at war.

The cost of that war was astronomical – and this affected the American economy – not even the 1921 silver dollars escaped these effects.

To coin collectors of United States Mint official coins, silver quarters hold a special place. Iconic is an overused word these days, but for the series of silver coins released as quarters it is the perfect description.

All US silver dollars have what is known as a, “melt value”. This is simply the sum that would be paid on the open market for the weight and purity of silver contained in that particular coin.