1886-O Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC. OGH. This is an outstanding, high end MS-64 to represent the conditionally challenging 1886-O silver dollar. Sharply struck with fulsome mint luster, both sides also possess a brilliant silver white appearance. Illustrative of one of the situations that make the Morgan dollar series so appealing to numismatists, this issue is far scarcer in Mint State than the 1883-O, 1884-O and 1885-O despite having a higher mintage (10,710,000 coins for the 1886-O as opposed to, for example, 9,185,000 pieces for the 1885-O). Given that the 1886-O is plentiful in worn condition, millions of examples likely found their way into circulation beginning in the late 19th century. Millions more, probably more than half of the mintage, were almost certainly kept in storage until melted under the terms of the 1918 Pittman Act. Today the conditionally challenging nature of this New Orleans Mint issue is well known, as is the prevalence of poorly struck coins among the relatively few Uncirculated survivors. Exceptionally well produced and preserved, the premium quality example offered here is sure to see spirited bidding. Ex our March 2018 sale, lot 3621.
