Whitman Expo
1883-O One Dollar PR BM Values
Details
The story behind the 1883-O proof Morgan dollar is the stuff of legend and moreover mystery. Numismatic scholar Walter Breen postulated the 1883-O proof Morgan dollars were made as presentation pieces for officials connected with a celebration of some kind relating to the cotton industry or perhaps having to do with the establishment of Tulane University as the official state university of Louisiana. Yet, neither of these theories have been proven as fact. Whatever the case, about a dozen examples of this branch-mint proof were made and all are thus extremely rare. One example graded PCGS/CAC PR67CAM took $270,250 at a 2013 Heritage auctions sale.
This coin is made of 90% silver; 10% copper and has a current melt value of $56.48
Obverse: Portrait of Liberty centered. On the left are found 7 stars with the words E*PLURIBUS*UNUM followed by 6 stars on the right. The date is positioned at the bottom.
Reverse: The heraldic eagle is centered holding a bunch of arrows and branch surrounded by and olive leaves. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * ONE DOLLAR frame the periphery. Mint mark, if any, appears above the letters DO of DOLLAR.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
New Orleans
Mintage:
approx. 12 Struck
Coinage Type:
Morgan silver dollar
Coinage Years:
1878-1921
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
Mint Mark:
O
Prefix:
Branch Mint Proof
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Weight:
26.73 gr
Weight:
0.8594 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.7734 oz
Strike Type:
Proof
Diameter:
38.1 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
George T. Morgan
Obverse Lettering:
E PLURIBUS UNUM, LIBERTY, 1883
Obverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST, ONE DOLLAR
Reverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
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