The 2020 legislation that created the 2021 Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars gave the United States Mint the option to issue the coins annually in whatever mintages and with whichever finishes the Mint decides on.
In late 2021 it appeared the Mint was going to release the second round of these coins in 2022. But March 14, 2022, the Mint’s Acting Director Ventris C. Gibson announced that no Morgan or Peace silver dollars would be produced in 2022 and that the series would resume with the 2023 Peace Dollar.
Gibson said this was because of a lack of sufficient silver planchets to strike the coin which was a result of supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and that by law it must give priority to the American Silver Eagle Bullion Coin Program with the number of planchets it could secure.
Collectors of these coins were disappointed by this decision since it meant a lack of continuity in the series. In addition, although the 2022 silver dollars were cancelled to free up planchets for the American Silver Eagle coins struck in 2022, production of those coins fell substantially short of the demand that existed for them.
An Unexpected Announcement
On June 29, 2022, the Mint unexpectedly announced details of the 2023 silver dollar program in a notice published in the Federal Register. The coins to be issued later this year will include uncirculated versions of each of the two designs (Morgan and Peace) to be struck at the Philadelphia Mint and limited to 275,000 coins; the first-ever proof versions struck in the modern era at the San Francisco Mint that will have mintage limits of 400,000 each; and a special two-coin reverse proof set to be struck at the San Francisco Mint that will be limited to 250,000.
The Mint then began to offer a subscription option on its web site for each of those products. In addition, prices and a household order limit of three for each product option were announced when the enrollments became available.
The two uncirculated coins are each priced as of now at $67; the proofs at $73; and the two-coin set at $175. On the Mint’s site the word “approximate” appears in front of each of those prices, which suggested that they may change later depending on spot silver prices and other factors.
The coins are likely to be very popular with collectors for several reasons, and many have indicated that they are pleased they have the ability to order the 2023 coins by subscription. At the time of writing (January 2023), all options were still available to order.
The 2023 dollars will include the first Proof silver dollars many collectors have ever been able to own, and the first with reverse proof finishes.
According to the Mint’s 2023 product schedule, the uncirculated coins will be released this summer, while the proofs and the two-coin set will be issued in the fall.
The fact that no 2023 commemorative coins will be issued coupled with the fact that the Mint’s product schedule for 2023 is lighter than it has been in recent years are expected to result in strong demand for the 2023 silver dollars.
On August 5, Coin World reported these numbers for the 2023 silver dollar enrollments:
- Uncirculated 2023 Peace: 25,000 enrollments for 2 coins each, or 50,000 coins.
- Proof 2023 Peace: 24,000 enrollments for 2 coins each, or 48,000 coins
Two-Coin Reverse Proof Sets
- 25,000 enrollments for two sets each, or 50,000 sets.
2023-P Uncirculated Peace Silver Dollar
- Mint Mark: none
- Mintage: 275,000
- Composition: .999 fine silver
- Weight: 26.73 grams
- Diameter: 38.1 millimeters
2023-S Proof Peace Silver Dollar
- Mint Mark: S (San Francisco)
- Mintage: 400,000
- Composition: .999 fine silver
- Weight: 26.73 grams
- Diameter: 38.1 millimeters
2023 Reverse Proof Morgan and Peace Dollar Set
- Mint Mark: S (San Francisco)
- Mintage: 250,000 sets
- Composition: .999 fine silver
- Weight: 26.73 grams
- Diameter: 38.1 millimeters
