The GSA (General Services Administration) Hoard of Morgan Silver Dollars is one of the most famous collections of American coinage in history. It refers to a collection of over 3 million Morgan silver dollars that were accumulated by the U.S. government in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and later sold to the public.
The Morgan silver dollar was first minted in 1878 and was named after its designer, George T. Morgan. The coin was struck at the United States Mint facilities in Philadelphia, Carson City, and New Orleans, and it was produced for circulation until 1904. After that, the production of the Morgan silver dollar was resumed in 1921 and continued until its final year of mintage in 1935.
The GSA Hoard of Morgan silver dollars is comprised of coins that were originally minted between the years 1878 and 1904. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the U.S. government decided to sell its remaining stocks of these coins to the public. The coins were sold in special packages, known as "GSA Hoard" packages, and they were marketed as a unique opportunity for collectors and investors to own a piece of American coinage history.
The GSA Hoard of Morgan silver dollars has become one of the most sought after collections of American coinage for several reasons. First, the coins are made of .900 fine silver, which gives them a high intrinsic value. Second, the coins have historical significance, as they were minted during a time of great change in the United States, including the closing of the frontier, the rise of the industrial economy, and the growth of cities. Finally, the GSA Hoard of Morgan silver dollars is highly collectible due to its rarity. Only a limited number of the coins were minted, and many of them have been lost or damaged over time, making the surviving coins even more valuable.
One of the unique features of the GSA Hoard of Morgan silver dollars is the special packaging that was used to sell the coins. The coins were packaged in special cardboard boxes, known as "GSA Hoard" boxes, which were designed to protect the coins during shipping and storage. The boxes were made of sturdy cardboard and were designed to hold 20 coins. Each box had a label on the outside that identified it as part of the GSA Hoard, and the coins inside were wrapped in tissue paper to protect them from scratches and other damage.
The GSA Hoard of Morgan silver dollars was sold by the U.S. government through a mail-order system, and the coins were made available to the public for a limited time. The sale of the GSA Hoard was very successful, and many collectors and investors were eager to purchase these rare coins. The GSA Hoard of Morgan silver dollars has since become one of the most popular collections of American coinage, and the coins are highly sought after by collectors and investors all over the world.
There are several factors that contribute to the value of the GSA Hoard of Morgan silver dollars. First, the coins are made of .900 fine silver, which gives them a high intrinsic value. Second, the coins have historical significance, as they were minted during a time of great change in the United States. Finally, the GSA Hoard of Morgan silver dollars is highly collectible due to its rarity.
The rarity of the GSA Hoard of Morgan silver dollars is a major factor that contributes to its value. The coins were only minted for a limited time, and many of them have been lost or damaged over the years, making the surviving coins even more valuable.