1893-O $1 MS(PCGS#7224)

June 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Commissaire-priseur

Stack's Bowers

Numéro du lot

2261

Grade

VF20

Prix

2 640

Description du lot

Very rare original GSA holder for this key date New Orleans Mint silver dollar issue. This is a handsome pewter gray example with universally bold VF detail to both sides. A light obverse scratch behind Liberty's eye is noted for accuracy. With only 300,000 coins struck, the 1893-O is the lowest mintage Morgan silver dollar from the New Orleans Mint. This is an issue for which numismatic scholars have been unable to shed much light on the distribution of examples. Even Q. David Bowers (1993 and 2019) provides little insight on the subject, noting in general that, "Many were distributed in the early days, accounting for the worn pieces in existence now." Of Mint State survivors the author points to a likely source as a "few bags" paid out at face value from the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C. circa 1948 to 1955. But by the late 1950s dealers had realized that even in roll quantity the 1893-O was elusive. If any were included in the Treasury Department releases of 1962 to 1964, Bowers surmises that these were only "scattered coins," and he writes that "I have no records of bags of 1893-O being included."<p>"Scattered coins" is clearly also the case when it comes to the 1893-O as represented in the various GSA sales of 1972 to 1980. Only seven examples have been certified by PCGS and NGC in original GSA holders, all Soft Pack, and all at NGC. This is a rare offering for advanced Morgan dollar collectors that will see spirited bidding.<p>The original envelope and card are not included.