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Product Information
<h2>Q. David Bowers</h2>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)<br/><br/>Coinage Context<br/><br/>Record breaking: The coinage of 19,963,000 circulation strike silver dollars at the Philadelphia Mint in 1886 broke all previous production records for the denomination. However, in the following year, 1887, the Philadelphia Mint would go on to still another high.<br/><br/>President no fan of dollars: President Grover Cleveland stated the following.(As quoted by Chester West in "Chester West Tells It As It Is-Of Federal and State Government Regulations," in The Comprehensive U. S. Silver Dollar Encyclopedia.)<br/>Last year we spent 23 million dollars plus labor and storage for silver dollars that no one wants. Now we have 247 million of them. This gamble on a silver price increase is a bust. In the beginning, when we bought the silver, the dollar content was 94.5 cents. On the 31st day of July 1886, silver dropped to its lowest price. Now these things are only worth 78 cents.<br/><br/>Numismatic Information<br/><br/>Hoard coins: Quantities of 1886 dollars were re-leased by the Treasury over a long period of years, with a large number coming out in 1951, 1952, and, especially, December 1954. Within the memory of any numismatists living today, the 1886 Philadelphia issue has been one of the most common issues in just about any grade from well-worn to MS-65. In 1962-1964 more bags were set free by the Treasury, some of which ended up in the coffers of the Continental-Illinois Bank.<br/><br/>In the 1950s, anyone finding a $1,000 bag of 1886 dollars would "throw it back" to the bank, like a fisherman tossing back an undersized trout. Bags of these and most other early Philadelphia Mint Morgan dollars were not wanted, even for face value. If a buyer could be found - and I remember the situation well - a good wholesale price would be $1,100.<br/>Circulated grades: 1886 dollars are very common in worn grades.<br/><br/>Mint State grades: Mint State 1886 dollars are very common. Examples are frequently encountered in all grades from MS-60 through MS-64, and even MS-65 coins are easy to find. Only the 1887 rivals the 1886 in availability among Philadelphia Mint dollars dated before 1921.<br/><br/>Many 1886 dollars are very well struck and have much lustre, although the lustre is often more satiny or "greasy" than deeply frosty. Other coins are poorly struck, particularly at the center of the reverse. Some coins have irregular "metal flow" granularity, especially in the fields and at the borders, and are not numismatically appealing. All in all, there is a very wide variation in quality among Mint State dollars of this date. Careful buying is advised, especially if you are at all concerned with aesthetics. In the same technical numerical grade, a poorly struck coin with unattractive surfaces might not be worth half as much as a sharply struck, lustrous gem.<br/><br/>Prooflike coins: While semi-prooflike and prooflike coins are very common, high-grade cameo DMPL coins with good striking characteristics are rare. Hundreds in the latter category exist.<br/><br/>Varieties<br/><br/>Circulation strikes:<br/><br/>1. Normal date: Probably all the 63 obverses and 60 reverses were used until they were worn out. The two distinct styles of date, Even 6, Breen-5586 and High 6, Breen-5588 (VAM-6, 8), apparently represent two different logotypes; which is scarcer has not been determined. The last two shown to Walter H. Breen as "1886/5" had high 6 punched over lower 6; apparently, this is more wishful thinking, than an overdate. High 6 normally has closed 6; Even 6 comes open (e.g., VAM-7) or closed. Some varieties have interesting die chips and gouges around the date and elsewhereProduct Identifiers
DesignerGeorge T. Morgan
eBay Product ID (ePID)170472438
Product Key Features
Strike TypeBusiness
Mint LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Composition90% Silver, 10% Copper
Year1886
Dimensions
Weight26.73g
Additional Product Features
Mintage19963
MintPhiladelphia
Denomination$1
PCGS Number7166
Diameter38.1mm
Mint MarkP
EdgeReeded
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Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 29 Jan, 2019
Best of the best
Beauty of a toned coin. Interesting die clash marks under high mag loupe. Super strike, defining all strands above ear. No negative comments about price, condition, or delivery!
Verified purchase: Yes
- 12 Aug, 2017
Morgan Silver Dollar
The coin is brilliant and has a very nice luster. It was reasonably priced for a PCGS MS-70 first strike coin from the West Point mint. I was glad to add it to my collection.Verified purchase: Yes
- 17 May, 2017
Excellent quality coin.
This particular item was quite beyond expectation. Original eye appeal was intact, and coin was well struck.Verified purchase: Yes
- 28 Dec, 2017
Superior quality investment grade coin
This 1886 Morgan silver dollar coin is a very common date coin and easily obtainable in MS-65/66/67 grades but, it gets to be condition scarce in MS-68 and MS-68+ condition. It should provide a reasonable long term appreciation and additionally, provide the serious collector an enjoyable collecting experience........nice specimen coin......!Verified purchase: Yes
- 07 Mar, 2018
1886 Morgan
This is a great coin.-- minimum marks, great strike, wonderful luster. A great MS 66 Morgan,Verified purchase: Yes
- 07 Nov, 2017
Very nice condition Morgan silver dollars 1886 vintage
The condition of these 15 are the same or very close to the 7 coins currently in the collection so they do match nicely. Needed another 13 coins to make a complete roll of 1886 Morgan dollars in BU condition so this lot of 15 was close enough.Verified purchase: Yes
- 01 Jun, 2017
Old NGC "no line" fattie
A lot of value is in these old holders, if the condition of the holder is good. CAC approved adds more value. The textile tone is also a big bonus.Verified purchase: Yes
- 09 Jun, 2024
Very nice coin just what I expected. Packaging was great. Thanks for a awesome coin !
Very nice coin just what I expected. Packaging was great. Thanks for a awesome coin !Verified purchase: Yes
- 30 Apr, 2016
View thru your eyes
I base my responses on how I, see the coin and in reference to the coin red book in how to evaluate a specific. Keep in mind all ratings are speculative in the eye of the beholder. You be the JUDGE.Verified purchase: Yes
- 06 Mar, 2018
Shiny Silver Coin
Beautiful piece of art made of silver. Love the weight of it in my hand and evokes the cowboy days.Verified purchase: Yes
