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Near-Finest 1897-O Morgan Silver Dollar Offered by GreatCollections

Near-Finest 1897-O Morgan Silver Dollar Offered by GreatCollections

By CoinWeek ….
 

One of the highlights of Sunday’s U.S. coin auction at GreatCollections is a near-finest 1897-O Morgan Silver Dollar from the Illinois Set Collection. Certified MS66+ and given a green CAC sticker, PCGS reports only two grading events at 66+, with a mere two finer at 67.

Morgan Dollars struck at the New Orleans Mint are famous among collectors for their weak strike and lack of luster, which makes Mint State examples highly coveted. As for the 1897-O itself, few Gem Mint State examples survive today as United States Mint bags of the coin were few and far between in bank and Treasury Department vaults.

Adding to the pressure that collectors of high-end Morgan Silver Dollars might feel is that only one or two 1897-Os hit the market in a given year, so this represents quite the opportunity. The coin offered by GreatCollections on Sunday, January 19, was last sold at Sotheby’s in 2018 as part of the Illinois Collection of Morgan Dollars, where it realized $262,500. It was also previously owned at different times in the 20th century by Wayne Miller, Ralph Stone, and Hoagy Carmichael(!).

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To search through GreatCollection’s archive of over 600,000 certified coins and notes the company has sold, please visit the GreatCollections Auction Archives.

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The post Near-Finest 1897-O Morgan Silver Dollar Offered by GreatCollections appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.

2 thoughts on “Near-Finest 1897-O Morgan Silver Dollar Offered by GreatCollections

  1. mallowman says:

    1. The rarity combined with the coin’s storied past, having passed through the hands of notable collectors, elevates this beyond a mere numismatic object; it’s a tangible piece of history.

    2. I wonder what Hoagy Carmichael would think of the current value of his old Morgan dollar. It’s a testament to numismatics as an investment.

    3. The fact that so few 1897-O Morgan Dollars in this condition exist makes you wonder how many more are still out there undiscovered, tucked away in old collections.

    4. Given the rarity and historical significance, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this coin break the previous sale price from 2018. It’s a blue-chip collectible in the numismatic world.

    5. The weak strike and lack of luster typical of New Orleans Mint Morgans somehow adds to their charm. It’s a quirky imperfection that makes each coin unique.

  2. rope says:

    1. The rarity combined with the coin’s storied past – having passed through the hands of notable collectors – makes this a truly singular piece of numismatic history. I wonder what stories the coin could tell.

    2. Given the historical context of Morgan Dollars from the New Orleans Mint, this coin’s condition is even more remarkable. It really highlights the importance of proper storage and handling throughout history.

    3. It’s remarkable how few of these high-grade 1897-O Morgan Dollars surface each year. This auction presents a rare window of opportunity for serious collectors. I wonder if the price will exceed the 2018 sale.

    4. The fact that this coin was once owned by Hoagy Carmichael adds a certain “cool factor” that goes beyond its numismatic value. Imagine the hands it’s passed through!

    5. The weak strike and lack of luster typical of New Orleans Mint Morgans makes finding a gem-state example like this even more compelling. It’s like finding a diamond in the rough.

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