The 1893 Double-Headed Morgan Dollar is a rare and mysterious coin that has both intrigued and puzzled coin collectors and historians for decades. This unique coin features a double-headed obverse, with two distinct profiles of Lady Liberty facing each other, a design never before seen on any other coin. While the exact reason for its existence remains unknown, the 1893 Double-Headed Morgan Dollar has sparked much speculation and fascination among numismatists.
First minted in 1878, the Morgan Dollar was a silver coin that circulated in the United States between 1878 and 1904, and again in 1921. The coin was designed by George T. Morgan, an English-born American engraver working for the United States Mint in Philadelphia. The coin’s obverse features a portrait of Lady Liberty, which was modeled after a Philadelphia school teacher named Anna Willess Williams. The reverse features a bald eagle with outstretched wings and the inscriptions “United States of America,” “One Dollar,” and “In God We Trust.”
However, in 1893, a very unusual version of the Morgan Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint. Instead of one, the coin featured two profiles of Lady Liberty facing each other on its obverse. It is believed that this double-headed obverse was the result of a mistake made by an overworked mint employee. The design was supposed to be changed before the coins were minted, but due to a mix-up, a small number of double-headed coins were produced.
But the mistake was quickly discovered, and the coins were promptly destroyed. Only a few examples of the 1893 Double-Headed Morgan Dollar are known to exist today. One of the most famous examples is currently housed in the American Numismatic Association (ANA) museum in Colorado. This coin was purchased by the ANA in 1920, and it remains a popular attraction for visitors.
Aside from the ANA example, there is only one other known 1893 Double-Headed Morgan Dollar in private hands. This coin was sold at a Heritage Auction in 2003 for a whopping $74,750. Its current owner remains anonymous, adding to the coin’s mystery and allure.
The 1893 Double-Headed Morgan Dollar is often referred to as a die trial, a coin that was struck to test the dies or the presses, or to see if the design was properly aligned. However, there is evidence that suggests the coin was, in fact, intentionally struck. The coin displays detailed features and a well-defined strike, indicating that it was not a mere trial or test piece. This evidence has led some to believe that the double-headed design may have been an intentional attempt by someone at the mint to create a unique and valuable coin.
The 1893 Double-Headed Morgan Dollar is not only a rare and intriguing coin but also a reminder of the human element involved in the coin minting process. The fact that this coin exists at all is a testament to the fallibility of human beings and how even a simple mistake can result in something extraordinary.
In conclusion, the 1893 Double-Headed Morgan Dollar is a coin that continues to fascinate and captivate collectors and historians alike. Its mystery and rarity make it a highly sought-after piece in the numismatic world, with its value estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Its unique double-headed obverse stands as a true testament to the saying “mistakes make for the best stories and the rarest coins.”