#94 • 1886 Silver Morgan Dollar New Orleans

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

High bid $36.00

Status: Sold

Estimated Value: $100-300 Origin: United States Denomination: One Dollar Year: 1886 Mint: New Orleans Grade/Condition: Estimated: VF Metal: Silver Weight (+/- 0.2g): 26.3 Grams Additional Description: The 1886 Morgan Silver Dollar from the New Orleans Mint, bearing the “O” mint mark, is a mid-range issue in terms of both mintage and availability.. Like many Morgans struck at the New Orleans facility, the 1886-O is known for inconsistent strike quality, particularly in the hair above Liberty’s ear and the eagle’s breast feathers, areas that often appear soft even on uncirculated examples. Designed by George T. Morgan, the obverse features Liberty in profile, wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with cotton and wheat. The reverse presents a bold eagle with wings spread, clutching arrows and an olive branch, surrounded by the inscriptions that define it as an emblem of national identity. Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, produced during a time when silver dollars were rarely used in daily commerce, many of these coins spent decades in storage before being gradually released to the public. The 1886-O Morgan Dollar challenging strike quality and relative scarcity in high mint state condition give it a unique position in the series.