1888 $1 MS DMPL

Key to Collecting: The 1888 rates as a common date in the Morgan series, although the quality of individual specimens can vary dramatically. Extended die use caused granularity and metal flow lines on some. On the other hand, more than just a few 1888 dollars are attractive and prooflike.

Surface Quality: The strike varies from poor to decent. Truly sharp pieces are in the distinct minority and require cherrypicking to find. Luster ranges from grainy to good. Again, careful buying is recommended, but is not as diffcult as with, for example, the Philadelphia Mint dollars of 1886 and 1887.

Prooflike Coins: Prooflike coins are often seen, usually with low contrast.

Mintage and Distribution: Delivery figures by month: January, 1,700,000; February, 1,700,000; March, 1,560,000; April, 1,434,000; May, 1,600,000; June, 1,620,000; July, 600,000; August, 1,534,000; September, 2,000,000; October, 2,000,000; November, 1,850,000; December, 1,585,000. Although circulation strikes of the 1888 were available in worn grades, from early distributions, this was not considered to be a truly common date in Mint State until the 1950’s, when long-stored bags were liberated. However, at the time these coins were generally ignored, and those who encountered quantities in banks (as I did) let them remain there. During the Treasury release of 1962 through 1964, millions more came out, even as late as March 1964.

Mintage: 833. At least two obverse dies were used, one with slight repunching of the date. Delivery figures by month: March, 432; September, 100; December, 300; unknown month, 1.53

Key to Collecting: Lightly struck at the centers. Low contrast. About this time the Mint became sloppy in the making of Proofs, and not long afterward dealer Harlan P. Smith filed a formal complaint. Still, Proofs of the era beginning about now are not on a visual par with those earlier in the decade. Be picky, picky, picky, and perhaps you will find a nice one!

Varieties mainly involve date repunching on the obverse, although several reverses show slightly repunched features, these from 64 obverse and 54 reverse dies prepared.