1896-S Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-66 PL (PCGS). CAC. Secure Holder.,This is an exceptionally attractive and undeniably rare example of the conditionally challenging 1896-S Morgan dollar. Lightly toned in iridescent gold, both sides are sharply struck with an uncommon degree of reflectivity to the finish. Faint die polish lines are mostly confined to the obverse field, an as struck feature, and the surfaces are remarkably smooth for an issue that is typically offered no finer than MS-64. A fleeting bidding opportunity for the advanced collector of Prooflike Morgan dollars.<p>A generous mintage of 5,000,000 coins conceals the rarity of the 1896-S in Mint State. While circulated examples are plentiful in numismatic circles, at least in grades up to and including Choice VF, Mint State coins are scarce by the standards of this series. We suspect that much of the mintage remained undistributed and was eventually included among the 270,232,722 silver dollars melted pursuant to the terms of the 1918 Pittman Act. In Prooflike Mint State the 1896-S is a formidable rarity with only a handful of examples certified by PCGS and NGC. This is the finest example in this category known to the former service, and it ranks among the most significant 1896-S dollars that we have had the privilege of bringing to auction.,PCGS# 7245. NGC ID: 2564.,PCGS Population: just 1; 0 finer in this category. There are no DMPL examples known to this service.,From the Magnolia Collection. Earlier ex Coronet Collection.