1881-O $1 MS DMPL

Key to Collecting: The 1881-O is very common in About Uncirculated grade, once called “slider Uncirculated.” Wayne Miller theorized that such coins were paid out into circulation in the greater New Orleans area, became redundant to commercial needs, and were brought back to the mint. To find a high-quality 1881-O will take some doing, but there are enough around that within a few months or so you should be successful.

Surface Quality: Strike is usually fairly sharp, but there are exceptions. Luster varies from frosty and attractive, these being in the distinct minority, to somewhat grainy and dull.

Prooflike Coins: Many 1881-O dollars have one or both dies with prooflike surface. However, bagmarks are endemic among these coins, and finding a truly choice example can be a real challenge.

Mintage and Distribution: Large numbers were released in and near the year of coinage; others remained stored. Quantities of 1881-O dollars filtered out of storage in the 1950’s and possibly earlier, with the result that by time of the Treasury release of 1962 through 1964 this was not a rare issue. If there had been a question, it was answered by the distribution of many more bags.

55 obverses and 40 reverses were shipped to New Orleans. Varieties are minor.