How Many Morgan Silver Dollars Make a Pound?
The question of how many Morgan silver dollars make a pound isn't straightforward, as it depends on several factors. While a common misconception exists that a certain number of Morgan dollars always equals a pound, the reality is more nuanced. Let's break down the complexities.
What Determines the Weight?
The weight of a Morgan silver dollar is primarily determined by its metal content. Officially, a Morgan dollar contains 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams (approximately 0.94 troy ounces). However, slight variations can occur due to:
- Minting variations: Throughout the years of their minting (1878-1904, and briefly in 1921), minor variations in the weight of individual coins occurred due to manufacturing processes.
- Wear and tear: Circulated Morgan dollars will inevitably lose some weight due to abrasion and handling over time. The more worn a coin is, the lighter it will be.
- Counterfeits: Counterfeit Morgan dollars are a concern, and their weight will vary wildly from genuine coins.
Therefore, simply dividing the weight of a pound (453.6 grams) by the weight of a single Morgan dollar (26.73 grams) won't give you an exact, reliable answer. This calculation would suggest approximately 17 coins, but this is only a theoretical value.
Why Isn't There a Simple Answer?
The weight isn't uniform due to the aforementioned manufacturing variations and the effects of circulation. Trying to determine the number of Morgan dollars in a pound by simply weighing them would only offer an approximation based on the specific condition of the coins used. This means that the weight of 17 Morgan dollars might be slightly over or under a pound depending on the selected coins.
How to Get a More Accurate Estimate:
If you're dealing with a specific group of Morgan silver dollars and want to determine their collective weight in pounds, the most accurate method would be to:
- Weigh each coin individually: This is the most time-consuming but most accurate approach.
- Calculate the total weight: Sum up the weights of all the coins.
- Convert grams to pounds: Divide the total weight in grams by 453.6 to obtain the total weight in pounds.
This method accounts for the variations in individual coin weights.
Are there similar coins with more consistent weight?
While Morgan dollars are beloved, their weight variation can be a factor. If consistent weight is paramount, other bullion coins or bars might be more suitable for precise weight calculations.
In conclusion, while a rough estimate can be made, there's no fixed number of Morgan silver dollars that always equal a pound due to variations in weight and condition. Accurate determination requires individual weighing of the coins.
