1887/6 $1 MS DMPL

Key to Collecting: There is a significant demand for the overdate 1887, 7 Over 6, VAM-2, and examples are elusive in all grades. While grade-for-grade the 1887, 7 Over 6, is rare in comparison to the regular 1887, enough MS-64 and MS-65 coins exist that the connoisseur can locate an example. This variety is not everyone’s numismatic cup of tea, and as the overdate is not easily seen without magnification, some have chosen not to include it in their collections. The prices of examples have been like a “roller coaster ride,” as popularity and availability have both varied over the years.48

Surface Quality: Average. Usually with deep mint frost.

Prooflike Coins: Prooflike coins are occasionally seen, usually with low contrast. Some DMPL coins have been certified and are rare.

Mintage and Distribution: In 1887 there were 55 obverse dies used to strike Morgan dollars. As only one die is known to have been overdated, it might not be stretching too far to suggest that, on average, the mintage of 1887, 7 Over 6, was 1/55 of the 20,290,000 total for the year.

Minor varieties exist, mostly involving slight repunching.

1887, 7 Over 6—VAM-2. Overdate feature prominent only on early and medium states, after which it fades (and specimens are not desirable).