1888 Morgan Dollar
Guidelines for Collecting:
The year 1888 saw the continuing mintage of vast quantities of silver dollars under the provisions of the 1878 Bland-Allison Act. Most production was accomplished at Philadelphia and New Orleans, with a lesser amount at San Francisco. Apparently, quantities were released into circulation at or near the time of mintage. After that, many were stored while others were melted under the 1918 Pittman Act. In the mid-1950s, 1888 dollars were released in quantity—probably by the millions. Both circulated and Mint State grades are plentiful. While abundant, the quality of specimens varies dramatically. Circulation strike varies from poor to decent, with sharp pieces in the minority. Luster ranges from grainy to good.
Availability in Circulated Grades:
Almost always available in EF and AU at any numismatic venue.
Availability in Mint State Grades:
This plentiful issue is found today in just about any Uncirculated grade a collector could desire including at the ultra-gem level. A frosty MS-65 with a crisp strike would be a great find for the patient collector. As nearly always in the Morgan series, careful cherrypicking for quality costs no more and results in a coin that from a quality viewpoint stands out above others in the same grade.
Availability in Proof:
This is the era when the Philadelphia Mint was careless with its production of Proof Morgan dollars. A nicely struck Proof of the date with any degree of cameo contrast is a prize, but you’ll have to search for an example with these qualities.
The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the June 2011 Baltimore Auction, where it realized $14,950.
1888 Morgan Dollar Auction Highlights
 PCGS MS-67 Sold for $14,950 View Lot 4541 |  PCGS PR-66 Sold for $12,000 View Lot 4059 |  PCGS PR-66, CAC Sold for $11,750 View Lot 2147 |
