Schoolgirl dollar

Left-facing bust of Liberty as a young girl wearing a headband and bow in her hair. Text reads E PLURIBUS UNUM / LIBERTY /1879
Defiant eagle, facing left. Text reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / IN GOD WE TRUST / ONE DOLLAR
The Schoolgirl dollar

The Schoolgirl dollar was a pattern coin struck by the United States Bureau of the Mint in 1879.[1] Designed by George T. Morgan, it followed the Morgan dollar, which had released the previous year and received criticism for its design.[2] At least 29 coins are known.[3] Numismatists consider the coin one of the finest American patterns.[1]

The earliest use of the name "Schoolgirl dollar" comes from an April 1891 catalogue of the New York Coin & Stamp’s F. W. Doughty sale.[3][4] Numismatic scholars Edgar Adams and William H. Woodin included the name in their 1913 reference guide on pattern coins.[5][6]

The obverse depicts a young girl wearing pearls and hair falling down her neck. Stars surround the bust, with E PLURIBUS on the right and UNUM on the left, and the date 1879 below. The reverse features a defiant eagle facing left, which Morgan used on an 1877 half dollar pattern. The eagle stands on a pedestal reading IN GOD WE TRUST with an olive branch on the left and arrows on the right. On the border it reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and ONE DOLLAR.[1] The eagle design would reappear on the quarter eagle issued as part of the Panama-Pacific commemorative coins.[1] The reason why Morgan created the pattern is unknown; numismatists believe Morgan created the design either in response to the criticism the Morgan dollar received or to demonstrate his talents in hopes of becoming Chief Engraver.[7]

The coin was struck in three different metals: silver, copper and lead. Fifteen silver and thirteen copper examples are known.[8][9] The lead specimen is unique.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Judd, J. Hewitt (November 2008). Bowers, Q. David; Teichman, Saul (eds.). United States Pattern Coins: Experimental and Trial Pieces: Complete Source for History, Rarity, and Values (10th ed.). Whitman Publishing. pp. 230–231, 235. ISBN 978-0-7948-2253-8.
  2. ^ Bowers, Q. David (May 1981). "Numismatic Nostalgia". The Numismatist: 1195.
  3. ^ a b c "Schoolgirl Dollars". uspatterns.com. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  4. ^ Smith, Harlan P.; Proskey, David (1891). Catalogue of the Collection of Patterns, Coins, Medals ... Belonging to Francis W. Doughty ... New York, NY: New York Coin and Stamp Co. p. 24.
  5. ^ Augsburger, Len (December 31, 2017). "NEWMAN PORTAL SEARCH: "SCHOOL GIRL"". The E-Sylum. Numismatic Bibliomania Society. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  6. ^ Adams, Edgar H.; Woodin, William H. (1913). United States Pattern, Trial, And Experimental Pieces. New York, NY: American Numismatic Society. p. 175.
  7. ^ Kay, Rick (September 2003). "Morgan's Patterns". The Numismatist: 40–43.
  8. ^ "J1608/P1804". uspatterns.com. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  9. ^ "J1609/P1805". uspatterns.com. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
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