1879-O Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-65 (PCGS).Vivid peripheral toning frames brilliant centers on both sides of this fully struck, highly lustrous Gem. Closed in early 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War, the New Orleans Mint reopened in 1879, an event observed with the striking of 12 Proof Morgan silver dollars on February 20. The facility went on strike 2,887,000 circulation strikes of this issue through the end of that year. The 1879-O was one of the first New Orleans Mint silver dollars paid out from the Treasury Department during the early to mid 1960s but, while significant numbers were involved, the quantity released was less than that of the 1883-O, 1884-O, 1885-O, 1898-O, 1903-O and 1904-O. As such, the 1879-O now numbers among the scarcer New Orleans Mint issues from the early Morgan dollar series, especially in Gem Mint State, our multiple offerings in this sale notwithstanding.
