1883-S Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-65 (ANACS).,This is a richly toned Gem Mint State example of an underrated condition rarity among early San Francisco Mint Morgan dollars. The obverse exhibits vivid gold and powder blue peripheral highlights on silver-apricot patina. On the reverse, mottled lilac-gray, light blue and golden-apricot greets the viewer. Both sides are sharply struck with full mint luster and a pleasingly smooth appearance.<p>Although often overshadowed by the 1884-S, which is a more widely recognized condition rarity in the Morgan dollar series, the 1883-S is highly elusive in Mint State in its own right. While the mintage was 6,250,000 pieces -- certainly a respectable total for the type -- the 1883-S is one of the comparatively few Morgan dollars that saw active circulation beginning in the 19th century. Indeed, worn survivors are available with ease. On the other hand, Mint State survivors are scarce in todays market. This was not always the case, for during the 1950s and early 1960s, enough examples emerged from federal holdings that contemporary numismatists considered a Mint State 1883-S silver dollar to be a common coin. By the late 1960s, however, the supply dried up as the coins from earlier releases were absorbed by collectors and no other significant quantities were found apart from a partial bag in the estate of LaVere Redfield. With most of the Redfield coins in lower grades through MS-63, which also appears to be the case with many distributed by the federal government in earlier decades, the 1883-S is particularly elusive at and above the MS-64 level. The present example is sure to appeal to advanced Morgan dollar enthusiasts.,,