1897-O Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-63 (PCGS). This is an uncommonly well produced coin for a New Orleans Mint Morgan dollar from the 1890s, both sides with sharp to full striking detail that even extends to the central high points. Surface preservation is also superior, both for the issue and the assigned grade, the surfaces lustrous with a smooth appearance in hand. An overlay of delicate golden iridescence blankets both sides and rounds out an impressive list of attributes for this premium Choice Mint State coin. Unlike many other issues in the Morgan series, the 1897-O was not widely represented in government releases of silver dollars from long term storage. According to Q. David Bowers (1993), only a few bags entered the market in the late 1940s, early 1950s and possibly also during the Treasury Department releases of 1962 to 1964. Most of the coins included therein were poorly struck and/or possessed of inferior luster. A noteworthy departure from the norm for the issue in terms of both striking quality and surface preservation, the coin offered here represents a fleeting bidding opportunity in todays highly competitive numismatic market.