1885-O Morgan Silver Dollar

The 1885-O Morgan Silver Dollar was minted in New Orleans, and produced a total mintage of over 9 million. During 1885, New Orleans exclusively struck silver dollars only. The 1885-O Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan who was only an assistant at the United States Mint at the time. After the New Orleans Mint closed, many of the 1885-O Morgan Silver Dollars were shipped to the Philadelphia Mint and the Washington D.C. Treasury Building for long term storage. 

 

History of the 1885-O Morgan Dollar

The 1885-O Morgan Silver Dollar was paid out beginning in the 1930s, and for several years after that. And then in October of 1962, millions were released from the Philadelphia Mint. Many of these coins, a believed estimate of 2 to 3.5 million, mostly went into the hands of investors and collectors, but it’s also believed that possibly millions of them were also released into circulation. Many of these Morgan Silver Dollars ended up being melted down in the 1970s. 

 

1885-O Morgan Silver Dollar Value

The 1885-O Morgan Silver Dollar value ranges from under a hundred dollars up into the tens of thousands. The strike of these coins is typically average with weakly defined spots at the center. But it’s also possible to find sharply struck, beautiful specimens. It’s up to the collector to do some searching to find a well-struck piece that has attractive surfaces. In Mint State, the 1885-O Morgan Dollar is one of the most common in the Morgan Dollar series. 

 

Type of coin: Silver Dollar

Year: 1885-O Morgan Silver Dollar 

Morgan Silver Dollar Mint Mark: New Orleans

Total mintage:9,185,000

Metal content: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Face value: One dollar

Weight: 26.73 grams

Edge: Reeded

Designer: George T. Morgan

Diameter: 38.10 millimeters