1904-O $1 MS DMPL

Key to Collecting: The 1904-O is the last and also the most plentiful today of the big-three former New Orleans Mint rarities that launched the Treasury release and resultant pandemonium in November 1962, the others being the 1898-O and the marvelous and ultra-rare 1903-O. Today, many 1904-O dollars exist, usually very brilliant and very attractive. Striking sharpness is another matter entirely, and on this count you may have to look at several pieces before finding one that is just right.

Surface Quality: The strike is usually average or a bit below average, although with some searching sharp pieces can be found. The luster is usually attractive—in fact, especially so. Wow, what a contrast to the insipid Philadelphia Mint dollars of this year!

Prooflike Coins: Prooflike coins, some deeply mirrored, are abundant. The contrast is usually low and there is usually some light striking at the centers.

Mintage and Distribution: Delivery figures by month: January, 1,000,000; February, 1,000,000; March, 1,200,000; April, 520,000; May–December, 0. The scenario for the 1904-O parallels those of 1898-O and 1903-O. This was a very rare variety, hardly ever seen in Mint State, until over a million coins were released from the Philadelphia Mint. These had been shipped from New Orleans in 1929 and placed in a sealed vault. Today, the 1904-O dollar is the most plentiful Mint State New Orleans dollar after 1885.

All are from the new hub (style of 1900). VAM-2 and VAM-13 exist with rotated reverse dies.