1897 Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-67 (PCGS). CAC. This superb example offers exceptionally smooth surfaces for a circulation strike Morgan dollar. Dusted with pale gold and silver iridescence, the surfaces are fully frosted and feature razor sharp to full detail. As with several other issues in this series (the 1903-O comes readily to mind), the circulation strike 1897 was once considered a major rarity. Very few of the 2,822,000 coins produced had been released through the early decades of the 20th century. With Proofs of the date well established in collections since the year of issue, however, few took notice of the absence of circulation strikes. Had anyone noticed they would have gained an inaccurate perception of this issues rarity for, unbeknownst until the 1930s, thousands of Mint State examples had survived the mass melting of the World War One era and were still in government vaults.<p>By the 1950s, so many 1897 dollars had been released that the issue was common. Additional distributions followed through the great Treasury Department releases of 1962 to 1964, and there were additional finds at that time in Montana, California and Nevada. Bowers (1993) reports that the LaVere Redfield estate had an estimated 16 to 18 bags of this issue. Although individual coins are now widely dispersed, the 1897 is still readily obtainable in all grades up to and including MS-65. Premium Gems in MS-66 are somewhat scarce by Morgan dollar standards, but at the Superb Gem MS-67 level the 1897 becomes a true condition rarity. This is our first offering for a PCGS-certified Superb Gem in recent years, with the coveted CAC sticker adding further appeal. From the Larry H. Miller Collection. From the Larry H. Miller Collection.
