#89 • 1885 Silver Morgan Dollar Philadelphia

Part of Gold and Silver Showcase (live auction by Blue Box Auction Gallery)

High bid $44.00

Status: Sold

Estimated Value: $200-400 Origin: United States Denomination: One Dollar Year: 1885 Mint: Philadelphia Grade/Condition: Estimated: MS Metal: Silver Weight (+/- 0.2g): 26.7 Grams Additional Description: The 1885 Morgan Silver Dollar from the Philadelphia Mint, struck without a mint mark, represents an accessible and important example within the Morgan series. It reflects silver dollars mandated by the Bland-Allison Act during the late 19th century. Philadelphia strikes from this period are known for their generally strong detail and solid strikes. The 1885 issue often retains clear definition in Liberty’s flowing hair and the eagle’s feathers, especially in higher-grade examples, making it a desirable date for collectors seeking quality and historical continuity. George T. Morgan’s iconic design features Liberty’s profile adorned with a Phrygian cap crowned by cotton and wheat on the obverse. The reverse depicts a powerful eagle with outstretched wings clutching arrows and an olive branch, symbols of strength and peace that are central to the coin’s design. Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, the Morgan Dollar is representative of a period when silver coinage was both a political tool and a reflection of the nation’s mineral wealth.