PCGS Nos: 7184, 7185, 97185, 7308, 87184

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 12,150,000
Proofs: 0

Designer: George T. Morgan

Diameter: 38.1 millimeters

Metal Content:
Silver - 90%
Copper - 10%

Weight: 26.73 grams

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: "O" (for New Orleans) beneath the bow on the reverse

Images courtesy of Superior Galleries

Significant examples:
ICG MS-66 (illustrated above).  Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long Beach" Sale, June 5-7, 2000, Lot 1769, sold for $1,322.50 "to the book"

Recent appearances:
NGC MS-66.  Ex - Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long Beach Sale", October 1-3, 2000, Lot 3652, not illustrated, sold for $1,610.00

IGC MS-66.  Ex - Superior Galleries' "The ANA 2001 National Money Show Auction", March 8-9, 2001, Lot 376, sold for $1,161.50

PCGS MS-66.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Rarities Sale", January 3, 2001, Lot 330, illustrated, not sold

PCGS MS-66.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part III", May 21, 2001, Lot 108, illustrated, not sold

PCGS MS-66.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Lake Geneva Sale", June 28-29, 2001, Lot 1098, illustrated, sold for $2,472.50

PCGS MS-66.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 2101, illustrated, sold for $2,300.00

NGC MS-65.  Ex - Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long Beach Sale", October 1-3, 2000, Lot 3653, not illustrated, sold for $218.50

MS-65.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5636, not illustrated, sold for $80.50

PCGS MS-65.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 6317, not illustrated, sold for $299.00

PCGS MS-65.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 6318, not illustrated, sold for $310.50

PCGS MS-65.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 6319, not illustrated, sold for $299.00

PCGS MS-65.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 6320, not illustrated, sold for $316.25

PCGS MS-65.  Ex- Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "October 2000 Long Beach Sale" October 5-7, 2000, Lot 8357, not illustrated, sold for $276.00

PCGS MS-65.  Ex- Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "October 2000 Long Beach Sale" October 5-7, 2000, Lot 8356, not illustrated, sold for $414.00

PCGS MS-65.  Ex- Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "October 2000 Long Beach Sale" October 5-7, 2000, Lot 8355, not illustrated, not sold

MS-65.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 1559, unsold

MS-65.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 1560, unsold

MS-65.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 496, unsold

MS-62 Prooflike.  Ex- Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "October 2000 Long Beach Sale" October 5-7, 2000, Lot 6911, not illustrated, sold for $51.75

ANACA EF-40.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 2102, "Doubled die obverse, VAM-4", not illustrated, sold for $86.00

Notes:
The 1888-O Morgan Silver Dollar is common in Uncirculated and Gem conditions.  The most "common" Uncirculated grade is MS-63, followed by MS-64 and MS-62, in that order, with MS-65 not far behind.  Prooflikes and Deep Mirror Prooflikes are available but not in large quantities.  The finest examples certified by PCGS were 72 MS-66's, 7 MS-66 Prooflikes, and 2 MS-66 Deep Mirror Prooflikes.  

One very rare variety (VAM 4) shows clear doubling at Liberty's lips.  Breen called this the "Hot Lips" variety; PCGS lists it as a "Dbld Die" (Doubled Die).  This variety is extremely rare in Uncirculated condition; in fact, PCGS has certified only 57 examples of this variety, not a single one of which merited an Uncirculated grade, the highest being 4 AU-58's.

PCGS lists a second variety as "Scar Face".  This variety is more rare than the Doubled Die in Uncirculated condition. PCGS has certified only 5 examples of this variety! The finest example is a single MS-63.

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, October 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service