1882 $1 MS DMPL

Key to Collecting: The 1882 dollar is the next in the continuing series of high-mintage Philadelphia issues. The quality of pieces varies from sharply struck and very attractive to weakly struck and unprepossessing. Many coins are heavily bagmarked. Cherrypicking is advised to track down a piece that is just right, and enough are in the marketplace that you will be crowned with success with relatively little effort.

Surface Quality: Strike varies from excellent to weak. Cherrypicking is recommended. Again, certification services pay no attention, so you need to search on your own or employ a trustworthy dealer on your behalf. The luster ranges from frosty to somewhat dull, suggesting that time spent searching for quality can be advantageous. However, most coins, regardless of strike, are quite lustrous.

Prooflike Coins: Prooflike pieces exist and are in the distinct minority despite the high mintage for this date. Semi-prooflike or low-contrast prooflike coins are the rule.

Mintage and Distribution: The 1882 dollars were released in quantity in the East in early times, again in the 1950’s, and last in the 1962 through 1964 era.

Mintage: 1,100. Breen comment: “750 first quarter, 101 second, 100 third, 200 fourth, total 1,151; supposedly 50 melted; leaving 1,101.”25 Two obverse dies and two reverse dies were prepared.

Key to Collecting: Another good vintage year for Proofs—what with excellent strike and deep cameo contrast being the rule. Still, the majority have been cleaned—and those deep mirror fields make hairlines pop out at you.

Many varieties from 58 obverse and 60 reverse dies made, but perhaps not all were used. No varieties are dramatic.