1893 $1 MS DMPL

Key to Collecting: In Mint State, the dollars of 1893 are elusive in comparison to the demand for them. MS-63 and MS-64 are worthwhile grades for value. Although many coins are lightly struck, there are quite a few sharp ones. Worn examples are scarce in their own right and offer an economical alternative for anyone not wanting to buy a Mint State coin.

Surface Quality: Usually above average on circulation strikes. Proof strikings of the 1893 are usually lightly struck at the centers, “and are the most poorly struck Morgan Proofs,” per Van Allen and Mallis. Usually frosty and attractive.

Prooflike Coins: Prooflike coins are elusive and have little contrast.

Mintage and Distribution: Delivery figures by month: January, 200,000; February, 150,000; March, 0; April, 28,000. Coinage of circulation strikes was then suspended. Not much is known about early releases of 1893 Morgan dollars, except that the low mintage attracted numismatic interest. Worn coins were plentiful in bank holdings and in circulation. Some bags were liberated in the early 1950’s, by which time the date was numismatically scarce. A few bags came out in 1962 through 1964, but the issue remained scarce.

Mintage: 792. Delivery figures by month: January–February, 0; March, 320; April–May, 0; June, 145; July–August, 0; September, 100; October–November, 0; December, 227.

Key to Collecting: Indifferent striking as a result of poor workmanship—the dies were spaced too far apart. Good cameo contrast. Again a challenge, a sporting occasion.

There are no die varieties of compelling importance from the seven pairs of dies on hand for use in this coinage.