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1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar

4.8 out of 5 stars213 product ratings

About this product

Product Information

Q. David Bowers
The following narrative, with minor editing, is from my "Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia" (Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., 1993)

Coinage Context

Nothing but dollars: The New Orleans Mint produced silver dollars exclusively during the 1885 year.

Numismatic Information

Hoard coins: Following the closing of the New Orleans Mint, quantities of 1885O dollars were shipped to the Treasury Building in Washington, D.C. and the Philadelphia Mint for long-term storage. From the Washington vault, 1885-O dollars were paid out beginning by the early 1930s, and in multiple-bag quantities in 1938, 1953, 1954, and 1957. In October 1962, continuing into early 1963, vast quantities, probably amounting to millions of coins, were released from storage at the Philadelphia Mint.
The 1883-O, 1884-O, and 1885-O constitute the bulk of approximately 10 million coins released from a long-sealed vault in the Philadelphia Mint, beginning in October 1962 and continuing through much of 1963. My estimate is that the breakdown of these three dates is about as follows: 1883-O: 1.5 to 2.5 million coins; 1884-O: 2.5 to four million coins; and 1885-O: two to 3.5 million coins. These are, of course, in addition to bags released before 1962. While many went into the hands of investors, hoarders, and collectors, others-possibly amounting to millions of pieces totally-went into circulation.

Many of these were melted in the 1970s during the run-up in silver bullion prices.

Many Uncirculated 1885-O dollars were in the Continental-Illinois Bank hoard.

Circulated grades: The 1885-O dollar is very common in Worn grades and attracts scant numismatic notice, due to the easy availability of Mint State coins.

Mint State grades: The 1885-O is the most common of all New Orleans Mint silver dollars in Uncirculated grade and among certified coins from this mint is the most common issue at levels from MS-63 through MS-65. It is believed that 2.5 to 3.5 million exist at the MS-60 to 62 level, a staggering quantity. In MS-63 grade, the estimated population is 800,000 to 1,300,000, followed by 400,000 to 600,000 in MS-64, and 100,000 to 175,000 MS-65 or better coins.

The strike of 1885-O dollars is average. Examples are seen weakly defined at the centers, while others are sharply struck. Certain flatly-struck coins have what Wayne Miller called a "belly button" or a recessed or dimpled area in the lowest portion of the eagle's breast, due to metal not filling the deepest portion of the die. Cherrypicking is easy to do for this issue and is advised.

Prooflike coins: Semi-prooflike 1885-O dollars are very common, although the contrast is usually low between the fields and the devices. As such, they are not necessarily objects of beauty. This is especially the case when they are in low grades and have many bagmarks. Full, PL pieces are common, and probably 15,000 or more remain. Often, prooflike coins are somewhat flatly struck. DMPL are about as populous as PLs. About 10% to 15% are MS-65 or better.

Varieties

Circulation strikes:

1. Normal date: Breen-5583. Gems and bagmarked prooflikes are common, even DMPLs (mostly less than gem quality). The figure 10 pairs of dies is almost certainly a typographical error for 40 pairs. At least four VAM varieties have partly repunched dates. VAM-1A is from a rusted reverse die (New Orleans humidity caused dies to rust quickly, unless they were protected with grease).

Dies prepared: Obverse: 10 (or 40?); Reverse: 10 (or 40?)

Circulation strike mintage: 9,185,000; Delivery figures by month: January: 800,000; February: 800,000; March: 950,000; April: 910,000; May: 900,000; June: 925,000; July: 100,000; August: 600,000; September: 800,000; October: 800,000; November: 800,000; December: 800,000

Product Identifiers

Designer
George T. Morgan
eBay Product ID (ePID)
170432719

Product Key Features

Strike Type
Business
Mint Location
New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
Composition
90% Silver, 10% Copper
Year
1885

Dimensions

Weight
26.73g

Additional Product Features

Mintage
9185
EDGE
Reeded
Mint
New Orleans
Denomination
$1
PCGS Number
7162
Diameter
38.1mm
Mint Mark
O

All listings for this product

item 1 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar
$42.00
+$5.95 shipping
item 2 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar -Rim Toning- BU
$55.00
Free shipping
item 3 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar
$68.00
+$2.00 shipping
item 4 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar
$69.00
+$6.00 shipping
item 5 1885-O Morgan Silver Dollar BU W/ Original Toning
$75.00
+$3.00 shipping
item 6 Simply the Best Toned Morgan - 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar
$75.00
+$5.50 shipping
item 7 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar
$80.00
+$5.00 shipping

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4.8

4.8 out of 5 stars based on 213 product ratings

213 product ratings

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Good value

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Most relevant reviews

See all 114 reviews

5 out of 5 stars
by coin_chestDec 04, 2018
OGH certified coins are sought after
Old Green Holders of Certified Morgan Silver Dollars by PCGS are desired because these coins are sometimes under graded by today's standards since standards were much stricter back then. PCGS Founder David Hall notes that graders in the early days of the company (founded in 1986) were reluctant to give super high grades and so coins in old green holders might actually earn a higher grade if resubmitted.
Verified purchase: Yes
5 out of 5 stars
by caciquechiefJan 05, 2017
Gorgeous Morgan Dollar Coin
This common date Morgan dollar coin is gorgeous. Has original luster and contact marks on the obverse (heads) side are almost none, just a few which would only be more obvious under 5x magnification. The reverse side (tails) has a few more visible marks adjacent to each side of the wings and a small one above the eagle's head, but not so distracting as to take away from it's nice eye appeal. If it wasn't for the contact marks on reverse, this coin no doubt would've graded MS65, and potentially as MS66 based on the observe side alone. Beautiful coin.
Verified purchase: Yes
5 out of 5 stars
by quiveybMar 09, 2016
New Orleans strikes re; 85 O,s
I have several 65 - 66+ Morgan's generally they face up well, very strong strike especially for the O mint which generally is not the case. Their must a large number of them available in higher condition based on general asking prices.
Verified purchase: Yes
5 out of 5 stars
by goettl2007Mar 29, 2017
Great coin
I was looking at this coin looking for damage but to my surprise a 100 year old coin was in real good condition. I look for value when bidding .
Verified purchase: Yes
5 out of 5 stars
by lamcw-40Apr 21, 2021
A nice peace and it will be given to one of my kids when I'm gone as a memory to some of my best coin collection.
I love collecting some old coins and this was a nice peace.I try not to pay a lot as I'm on a limited to what I can pay on limited pay but this was an exception This will go in my special collection.
Verified purchase: Yes

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1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar

About this product

Product Information

Q. David Bowers

Product Identifiers

Product Key Features

Dimensions

Additional Product Features

All listings for this product

item 1 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar

item 2 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar -Rim Toning- BU

item 3 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar

item 4 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar

item 5 1885-O Morgan Silver Dollar BU W/ Original Toning

item 6 Simply the Best Toned Morgan - 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar

item 7 1885-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar

Ratings and Reviews

Most relevant reviews

OGH certified coins are sought after

Gorgeous Morgan Dollar Coin

New Orleans strikes re; 85 O,s

Great coin

A nice peace and it will be given to one of my kids when I'm gone as a memory to some of my best coin collection.

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