1926-D Peace Silver Dollar XF

The Holiest Of Peace Dollars?

In 1926, the Peace Dollars struck by the United States Mint were a bit different from other years. The word “God” in the motto “In God We Trust” appears to be enhanced, making it stand out among the other words. The difference is too great for it to be an accident and too obvious to be attributed to mere chance. Someone at the Mint clearly and deliberately reinforced the three letters of that one word on the master die for 1926. But why?

The Scopes “Monkey” Trial

The accepted explanation is that during the summer of 1925 the nation’s attention was riveted on a small town in Dayton, Tennessee where teacher John T. Scopes was on trial for violating a law that forbade the teaching of Darwinian evolution. The so-called Scopes “Monkey” Trial ultimately became a heated debate between former Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan, testifying for the prosecution, and Clarence Darrow, serving as Scopes’ attorney. Even though Scopes was ultimately convicted, most journalists covering the trial concluded that Darrow humiliated Bryan and Scopes was sentenced to pay only a small fine. The controversial trial was later turned into a book, a play and a movie titled Inherit the Wind starring Spencer Tracy and Fredric March.

Chief Engraver Makes His Feelings Known

It appears that the trial also left its mark on the Peace Dollars produced at the U.S. Mint. The alleged story goes that while coverage of the explosive trial and its accompanying controversy raged in newspapers across the country, the Mint was just starting work on its dies for the 1926 silver dollar. It’s believed that U.S. Mint Chief Engraver John Sinnock purposely raised the word “God” on the coin’s motto, proclaiming his own belief on the subject. Whether it was an act of religious fervor by the chief engraver, or simply a mistake the result makes coins like this 1926-D Peace Dollar an important addition to any collection!

Struck for only 10 years, the Peace Silver Dollar is the last U.S. Silver Dollar struck for circulation in 90% fine silver. And after mass meltings, it’s estimated that only 16% of all Peace Dollars struck still exist. The Denver Mint struck the Peace Dollar for only five years and this 1926 Peace Dollar has a low mintage of just 2.35 million. Who knows how many still exist? Don’t wait to find out—secure yours now in nice Extremely Fine (XF) condition!

COIN HIGHLIGHTS:

• CONTROVERSIAL “GOD ALMIGHTY” PEACE DOLLAR – The word “God” on each coin’s motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, has been reworked into high relief. Today, 1926 Peace Dollars with GOD in High Relief are elusive and sought after.
• FAMOUS PEACE SILVER DOLLAR – While not produced in the same numbers as the Morgan Silver Dollar, the Peace Silver Dollar series has seen its reputation grow with each passing year. Designed by Anthony de Francisci, it features a design of Lady Liberty on the obverse and a perched eagle on the reverse. It was struck from only 1921 to 1928 and again in 1934 and 1935.
• STRUCK IN FINE SILVER – Each Peace Silver Dollar was struck in 26.73 grams of 90% silver and measures 38.1 mm in diameter.
• LEGAL TENDER U.S. COINAGE – These coins were $1 legal tender in the United States and circulated widely during the Roaring ’20s and Depression-era ’30s.
• EXTREMELY FINE CONDITION – Your 1926-D Peace Silver Dollar will come in Extremely Fine (XF) condition.
• THE CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING PEACE DOLLAR – Despite millions of Peace Silver Dollars being struck from 1921 to 1935, most were lost in circulation or melted down in mass silver meltings. In fact, coin experts believe that only 16% of all Peace Dollars remain in existence today!

Here’s your chance to get the famous 1926-D Peace Silver Dollar struck at the Denver Mint with the word “GOD” enhanced in high relief in the coin’s motto. Supplies are limited so order now!