1892 $1 MS DMPL

Key to Collecting: The 1892 Morgan dollar is scarce in Mint State. Most are in lower grade ranges, MS-60 to 62, and poorly struck. Really choice MS-64 and gem MS-65 or finer coins are very hard to find. Proofs exist in proportion to the mintage figure. Among surviving Proofs, many are choice or gem quality.

Surface Quality: Varies from weak to sharp, but usually average to below average. Some hunting is recommended to find a sharp one. Luster varies from dull and poor to lustrous and “flashy.”

Prooflike Coins: Semi-prooflike coins are seen on occasion, but gems are very elusive and sharply struck DMPLs are rarer yet.

Mintage and Distribution: Delivery figures by month: January–May, 0; June, 58,000; July, 68,000; August, 110,000; September, 200,000; October, 200,000; November, 200,000; December, 200,000. Apparently, only a few 1892 silver dollars were released into circulation in the nineteenth century, and the date could not be found in banks or circulation, prompting interested collectors to acquire Proofs instead. As Proofs were readily available in relation to the number of active Morgan dollar specialists, almost nothing appeared in print about the elusive nature of circulation strikes. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s many bags were paid out, by which time the 1892 was considered to be a key date. This status changed quickly, and the supply soon outpaced the demand. By time of the Treasury release of 1962 through 1964, most were gone.

Mintage: 1,245, a high figure explained by the introduction of the new Barber Proof dime, quarter, and half dollar included as part of the silver Proof set. Delivery figures by month: January–February, 0; March, 620; April–May, 0; June, 375; July–August, 0; September, 100; October–November, 0; December, 150. All are from a single die pair.

Key to Collecting: Striking sometimes below average.

Nine pairs of dies are recorded for the 1892 coinage. No particularly memorable variations were made, and none are listed in The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties.