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1888-O Morgan Silver Dollar $1 Oval O Top 100 VAM PCGS VG 8
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1888-O Morgan Silver Dollar $1 Oval O Top 100 VAM PCGS VG 8
Add a recognized Morgan Dollar variety from the historic New Orleans Mint with the 1888-O Morgan Silver Dollar $1 Oval O Top 100 VAM PCGS VG 8. Struck from 90% silver and 10% copper, this classic silver dollar weighs 26.73 grams and contains approximately 0.7734 troy oz of actual silver. The coin has been authenticated and graded VG 8 by PCGS, while its distinctive Oval O mintmark places it within the widely collected Top 100 VAM group.
Designed by George T. Morgan, the Morgan Dollar was introduced in 1878 and became one of the defining silver coins of late 19th-century America. The obverse depicts Liberty wearing a Phrygian-style cap surrounded by 13 stars, while the reverse features an American eagle with outstretched wings. In 1888, the New Orleans Mint struck 12,150,000 Morgan Dollars, identified by the “O” mintmark beneath the reverse wreath.
What distinguishes this example is its Oval O mintmark variety. VAMs are Morgan and Peace Dollar die varieties cataloged through the work of Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis. The Top 100 list was later developed to highlight particularly notable and collectible Morgan Dollar varieties. PCGS recognizes several 1888-O die marriages featuring the Oval O, making the mintmark itself an important attribution for specialists in Morgan Dollar varieties.
Coin Specifications:
- Graded VG 8 by PCGS
- Made from .900 silver with a weight of 0.7734 troy oz
- Mint New Orleans facility of the US Mint
- Face value of 1 dollar, backed by the United States government
- Arrives in official PCGS Holder
- Obverse: Features the iconic left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty, adorned with the inscription “LIBERTY” on her cap's ribbon, encircled by thirteen stars symbolizing the original 13 colonies. Inscriptions include “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and the year of mintage.
- Reverse: Displays George T. Morgan’s depiction of a noble bald eagle with wings extended, holding an olive branch and arrows. Inscriptions: “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “ONE DOLLAR,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
Why Own This 1888-O Oval O Morgan Dollar?
- Top 100 VAM: Belongs to a recognized group of collectible Morgan Dollar varieties.
- Distinctive Oval O: Features the unusual New Orleans mintmark style sought by VAM specialists.
- Historic New Orleans Issue: Struck at one of the most popular branch mints in U.S. numismatics.
Variety collecting reveals details that can easily be overlooked on otherwise familiar Morgan Dollars. The Oval O mintmark gives this 1888 New Orleans issue a distinctive identity within the series, while its Top 100 VAM recognition and PCGS certification document that numismatic significance. For collectors interested in Morgan Dollar die varieties, historic New Orleans coinage, or circulated silver dollars with identifiable characteristics, this PCGS VG 8 example offers a fascinating piece of specialized Morgan Dollar history.
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