1895-O Morgan Dollar
Guidelines for Collecting:
From a numismatic standpoint, the quality of the coiners’ work at the New Orleans Mint this year was shoddy. Workers, knowing that most of these 1895-O dollars were not wanted and would likely go into bulk storage, had little incentive to create quality coinage. To produce as many coins as possible with the least attention to the presses, the coiners spaced dies too far apart to minimize die wear and breakage. The result was that most coins were casually struck with a dull luster.
Availability in Circulated Grades:
The 1895-O can be found in just about any grade from well-worn to choice AU. No need to settle for a lower grade piece as AU is affordable and attractive coins can be had at that level.
Availability in Mint State Grades:
This relatively scarce issue can be hunted down in MS-60 to 62 with some frequency, but above that the 1895-O is not so easily found. Examples are not inexpensive, especially above MS-63. We like the MS-63 grade for this date, but look for a coin with some hair details above Liberty’s ear and strong breast feathers on the reverse—find this combination and you will have a superior-quality 1895-O Morgan dollar to crow about.
Availability in Proof:
None produced.
The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the March 2018 Baltimore Auction, where it realized $48,000.
1895-O Morgan Dollar Auction Highlights
PCGS MS-67, CAC Sold for $528,000 View Lot 6367 | NGC SP-65 Sold for $411,250 View Lot 13227 | PCGS MS-66 Sold for $336,000 View Lot 1225 |