Whitman Expo
The unprecedented crossover underscores his personal efforts to combat “grade inflation.”
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!
The 1888-O Morgan dollar is a popular New Orleans Mint coin, one that is quite common in circulated grades and widely available in MS grades through MS65. It becomes rare in MS66 or higher, and such is the case for PLs and DMPLs, which are extremely challenging in the Gem levels.
Obverse Description
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 Description
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.
Book Reference
Key to Collecting: The 1888-O is plentiful in Mint State, mostly from Treasury hoard dispersals, but most are at lower Mint State levels, and striking and luster are often far below par. However, with some searching it is possible to find an attractive example.
Surface Quality: The strike varies all over the place, from flat to sharp, but most show weakness at the center obverse and center reverse, really subpar. Dedicated cherrypicking is needed to find a sharp coin. The luster varies from grainy and rather dull to frosty and attractive.
Prooflike Coins: Prooflike coins are easily enough found.
Mintage and Distribution: Delivery figures by month: January, 1,000,000; February, 1,000,000; March, 1,200,000; April, 1,200,000; May, 1,100,000; June, 750,000; July, 600,000; August, 1,000,000; September, 1,200,000; October, 1,000,000; November, 1,000,000; December, 1,100,000. Although many 1888-O dollars were released in the nineteenth century, others went into storage. In 1946 a few bags were turned loose, and in the 1950’s many bags were paid out, including some from the Treasury Building in Washington, D.C. In 1957 quantities were obtained by dealer Harry J. Forman. During the 1962 through 1964 Treasury release, at least 100,000 came out of the long-sealed vault at the Philadelphia Mint that also yielded the fabulous 1903-O dollars. Facts are elusive, and some have suggested millions were released.
VARIETIES:
Most 1888-O dollars have a medium-sized, round O mintmark with a fairly large open center. Fewer have a medium-sized elliptical O with a narrow vertical slit in the center. The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties suggests that the elliptical O is worth multiples of the price of the regular round O; the variety would seem to be ripe for cherrypicking. VAM-1B, called the “Scarface” variety in The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties, has a prominent die crack across Liberty’s face, called “the most dramatic die break in the Morgan dollar series. Rare in all grades.” VAM-9 is known with the reverse rotated from 30° clockwise to 175° counterclockwise, the result of the die being loose in its chuck. The 1888-O Hot Lips variety is a collectors’ favorite, showing doubled features on Liberty’s face, particularly at and near her mouth (Guide Book of U.S. Coins). “It is the strongest double obverse of the Morgan dollar series and commands a large premium,” note Van Allen and Mallis. Further, “It is usually weakly struck and is unknown in Uncirculated grades. Scarce in AU” (The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties).
1888-O, E on Reverse, Clashed Die Reverse—VAM-1A. Shows a raised partial E, a clashmark from the incuse of LIBERTY on the obverse. Most examples of this variety also show a prominent die crack on the obverse from the rim through R of PLURIBUS.
Catalog Information
GSID:
7548
Designer:
George T. Morgan
Obverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
Obverse Lettering:
E PLURIBUS UNUM, LIBERTY, 1888
Reverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST, ONE DOLLAR
Fineness:
0.9
Weight (gr):
26.73 gr
Weight (oz):
0.8594 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.7734 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
38.1
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Reeded
Coin Date:
1888-O
Denomination:
$1
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
New Orleans
Mint Mark:
O
Mintage:
12,150,000
Coinage Type:
Morgan silver dollar
Coinage Years:
1878-1921
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #:
7184
Send Catalog Feedback
To: editor@greysheet.com
Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1888-O $1 MS
Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/1888-o-morgan-silver-dollar-coin-values/gsid/7548 GSID: 7548 Title: 1888-O $1 MS
Subscribe to View
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
Coin Value History
1888-O $1 MS
Value By Grade
1888-O $1 MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$18,000 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $15,000 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS [Type]
![Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/194xxx/a15b3867-56c4-4feb-9ccd-68ae7da30226.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $41 – $80,000
Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS PL [Type]
![Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS PL [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/90o-pl-obv.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $50 – $7,800
Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS DMPL [Type]
![Morgan $1 Pre-1921 MS DMPL [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/84cc-dmpl-obv.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $75 – $42,000
Morgan $1 Carson City Mint MS [Type]
![Morgan $1 Carson City Mint MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/416xxx/e90065e0-537f-4db8-b2b8-efacd6817cff.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $70 – $50,000
Morgan $1 Carson City Mint, GSA Hoard Hard package MS [Type]
![Morgan $1 Carson City Mint, GSA Hoard Hard package MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/CatalogEntry/ha_com_1314_4280-3.20200626010427369.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $270 – $5,400
1878 8TF $1 MS
Worth: $40 – $102,000
1878 8TF $1 MS PL
Worth: $200 – $4,400
1878 8TF $1 MS DMPL
Worth: $575 – $27,000
1878 7TF $1 Reverse of 1878 MS
Worth: $41 – $3,200
1878 7TF $1 Reverse of 1878 MS PL
Worth: $72 – $6,600
1878 7TF $1 Reverse of 1878 MS DMPL
Worth: $240 – $42,000
1878 7/8TF $1 Strong MS
Worth: $45 – $26,400
1878 7/8TF $1 Strong MS PL
Worth: $200 – $9,900
1878 7/8TF $1 Strong MS DMPL
Worth: $425 – $30,000
1878 7/8TF $1 Weak MS
Worth: $41 – $3,200
1888-O $1 MS64 PCGS. CDN: $97 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 12,150,000....
$165
1888-O $1 MS62 PCGS. CDN: $98.11 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 12,150,000. ...
$104
1888-O $1 MS63 NGC. CDN: $105.11 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 12,150,000. ...
$119
1888-O $1 MS65+ PCGS. CAC. CAC: 209 in 65, 94 finer (12/25). CDN: $265 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 12,150,000. ...
$561
1888-O $1 MS66 PCGS. CAC. ...
$3,050
1888-O $1 Shooting Star, VAM-7A, XF40 PCGS. CAC. A Hit List 40 Variety. CAC Population: (1/3)....
$360
1888-O $1 MS60 PCGS. PCGS Population: (60/29742). Mintage 12,150,000. ...
$109
1888-O $1 Clashed E, VAM-1A, MS61 NGC. A Top 100 Variety. NGC Census: (72/414)....
$109
1888-O $1 VAM 17, Oval O, Top 100 AU50 ANACS. Mintage 12,150,000....
$159
1888-O $1 Doubled Die Reverse VAM-9, AU58 ANACS. A Top 100 Variety. Mintage 12,150,000....
$159
1888-O $1 Oval O, VAM-2, XF45 PCGS. CAC. A Top 100 Variety. The mintmark shape and placement is the diagnostic for VAM-2. T...
$180
1888-O $1 MS67 NGC....
$7,200
1888-O $1 Oval O, VAM-17, AU55 PCGS. A Top 100 Variety. PCGS Population: (31/26)....
$109
1888-O $1 Doubled Reverse, VAM-15, VF35 PCGS. CAC. A Hot 50 Variety. CAC Population: (1/1)....
$101
1888-O $1 Morgan Dollar -- Obverse Misaligned Die -- Good 4 NGC....
$300
1888-O $1 Poor 1 ANACS. Mintage 12,150,000. ...
$149
1888-O $1 VAM-4, Hot Lips, Top-100, VF20 ANACS. Mintage 12,150,000....
$139
1888-O $1 VAM-3 AU53 ANACS. Mintage 12,150,000....
$84
1888-O $1 Oval O, VAM-21, AG3 PCGS. A Top 100 Variety. PCGS Population: (1/142 and 0/0+). NGC Census: (0/23 and 0/0+). ...
$186
1888-O $1 Oval O, VAM-5, Fine 12 PCGS. A Top 100 Variety. PCGS Population: (1/25). NGC Census: (0/0). Fine 12....
$109
Greysheet News
Prominent Collector Dell Loy Hansen Submitting His Historical Collection Of U.S. Coins To CAC Grading
8/8/2024
American Numismatic Association's Largest Coin Show, August 6-10 In Chicago
Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
7/25/2024
United States Mint Unveils Designs For The 2025 United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program
The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.
7/23/2024
Events
Heritage Auctions: US Currency Tuesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World Paper Money Tuesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Wednesday, June 3, 2026