1888-O S$1

Description

1888-O Morgan Dollar, PCGS MS-66. This exceptional 1888-O Morgan dollar represents a premium example from the New Orleans Mint's substantial coinage of 12,150,000 pieces. Graded PCGS MS-66 (Certificate #55908130), this coin exhibits the quality and eye appeal that distinguishes it from the typical lower Mint State examples that dominate the surviving population. The coin displays the characteristic features of New Orleans coinage from this period, with the round "O" mintmark style typical of the issue. The 1888-O is notable for its significant hoard history. Large quantities emerged from government storage beginning in 1946, with major releases from the Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., and a substantial cache discovered in a sealed vault at the Philadelphia Mint between 1962 and 1964. These releases resulted in hundreds of thousands of examples entering the market, particularly in the low to mid-Mint State grades. At the MS-66 level, however, this issue becomes notably scarcer, with an estimated population of only 4,000 to 8,000 pieces believed to exist—a dramatic drop-off from the more common MS-60 to MS-64 range. Current PCGS population data reflects only 68 examples graded finer, underscoring the relative scarcity of this grade. Strike quality remains a consideration for the issue, as approximately 80-90% of 1888-O dollars exhibit light striking at the centers. Cherrypicking has always been recommended to acquire sharply struck specimens. The 1888-O is also renowned among Morgan dollar specialists for producing some of the most spectacular doubled die varieties in the entire United States coinage series, particularly the famous "Hot Lips" doubled obverse (VAM-4), making die variety collecting an active pursuit for this date.