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- Product ID: 13457
The Dansco 7172 Silver Dollar Date Set 1878–Date album is a versatile and comprehensive collector’s album designed to house one of the most enduring and popular denominations in United States coinage: the silver dollar. Produced by Dansco, a company recognized for its archival-quality storage solutions, the 7172 album allows collectors to assemble a single coin from each year of silver dollar production, beginning with the Morgan Dollar of 1878 and extending through modern issues. By focusing on a date set rather than a full date-and-mintmark collection, the album makes the pursuit of silver dollars more accessible while still providing a complete chronological record of this iconic denomination.
Silver dollars have held a special place in American coinage since their introduction in 1794, but the 7172 album begins with the Morgan Dollar series, which ran from 1878 to 1921. Named after its designer, George T. Morgan, the coin features Liberty in profile on the obverse, wearing a cap with agricultural motifs symbolizing American prosperity, and an eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse. The series is beloved for its classic design and connection to the “Wild West” era, as many Morgans circulated heavily in the expanding frontier or were stored in Treasury vaults until released decades later. The album gives collectors a straightforward way to select a single coin from each year of this historic series.
Following the Morgan Dollar, the Dansco 7172 album continues into the Peace Dollar series, issued from 1921 to 1935. Designed by Anthony de Francisci, the Peace Dollar was created to commemorate the end of World War I. Its obverse depicts a youthful Liberty with windswept hair and a radiant crown, while the reverse features a perched bald eagle holding an olive branch, symbolizing peace. Collectors using the 7172 album can place one coin from each year of this series, creating a smooth transition from the Morgan era into the modern symbolism of the 20th century.
The album also includes spaces for Eisenhower Dollars (1971–1978), Susan B. Anthony Dollars (1979–1981, 1999), and the more recent silver dollar issues. While these later dollar coins were minted primarily in clad compositions, the Dansco 7172 emphasizes the silver proofs and commemorative issues that continue the tradition of silver dollar coinage. For Eisenhower Dollars, the silver-clad collector versions of 1971–1976 are typically chosen. The Susan B. Anthony Dollars, though not struck in silver for circulation, are part of the U.S. dollar legacy and are included as representative issues. The album then transitions into American Silver Eagles, first struck in 1986, which have become the modern face of silver dollar collecting.
The American Silver Eagle series is particularly important for modern collectors, and the Dansco 7172 provides space for these coins as the continuation of the U.S. silver dollar tradition. Struck in one troy ounce of .999 fine silver, the Silver Eagle combines Adolph A. Weinman’s classic Walking Liberty design on the obverse with a heraldic eagle reverse (1986–2021 Type 1) and, more recently, an updated eagle design introduced in 2021 (Type 2). The series has been issued annually, with both bullion strikes and collector proofs, and has become one of the most collected silver coin series in the world. Including them in the 7172 album ties modern bullion coinage to the heritage of 19th- and 20th-century silver dollars.
The album itself is constructed with Dansco’s signature attention to quality. It features a sturdy brown leatherette cover embossed with gold lettering, giving it a professional appearance. Inside, thick cardboard pages provide precision-cut openings labeled by year, each protected by clear acetate slides. These slides allow collectors to view obverse and reverse without removing coins from their slots, reducing handling and preserving condition. All materials are archival safe, PVC-free, and acid-free, ensuring coins remain protected against tarnishing, spotting, or other long-term environmental damage.
The chronological layout of the Dansco 7172 provides collectors with a clear and organized roadmap through the history of U.S. silver dollars. Each space represents one year, creating a complete timeline of American numismatic history. Collectors can choose which specific mint issue to include for each year, allowing flexibility. For example, the 1878 slot could feature a Philadelphia Morgan, an 8 Tail Feathers variety, or a scarcer Carson City issue, depending on the collector’s preference and budget. This flexibility makes the date set format approachable for newer collectors while still offering challenges for advanced numismatists who may choose to pursue rarer representatives.
From a collector’s perspective, the Dansco 7172 balances ambition with accessibility. A full date-and-mintmark set of Morgan and Peace Dollars is a massive undertaking, often requiring hundreds of coins and a substantial investment. By contrast, the date set reduces the challenge to one coin per year, making it possible to complete while still engaging with the full sweep of the series. Collectors can start with affordable common-date Morgans or Peace Dollars and upgrade over time, while still building a collection that feels complete and meaningful.
Condition preservation is particularly important for silver dollars, which are large, heavy coins prone to bag marks, contact marks, and surface abrasions. The Dansco 7172’s acetate slides minimize handling, protecting coins from additional wear. For uncirculated Morgan and Peace Dollars or proof Silver Eagles, this protection is invaluable. The album not only organizes the coins but also enhances their presentation, allowing collectors to appreciate the artistry and detail of each design in a uniform, attractive format.
The visual impact of a filled Dansco 7172 album is striking. Beginning with the bold, classic Morgans of the late 19th century, moving through the elegant Peace Dollars of the interwar years, and culminating in the modern Silver Eagles, the album creates a continuous narrative of America’s silver dollar tradition. Collectors can see firsthand how design, minting technology, and national themes evolved over more than a century. The album transforms a series of individual coins into a cohesive story, turning a collection into both a historical record and a display piece.
In conclusion, the Dansco 7172 Silver Dollar Date Set 1878–Date album is an excellent choice for collectors who wish to pursue one of America’s most enduring and popular denominations in an approachable, organized format. With its durable construction, archival-safe materials, and chronological layout, it provides both preservation and presentation. By focusing on a single coin per year, it balances accessibility with historical depth, allowing collectors to enjoy a complete narrative of silver dollar coinage from the Morgan Dollar era to the modern Silver Eagle. Whether filled with circulated examples, uncirculated treasures, or proof issues, the 7172 album elevates a collection into a cohesive and visually impressive showcase of America’s silver dollar legacy.