1897 $1 MS DMPL

Key to Collecting: The 1897 Morgan dollar in Mint State is usually well struck and has nice luster, the paradigm of a common date. AU coins can be very lustrous and attractive, and years ago many were sold as “slider Uncirculated” or, curiously, as “commercial Uncirculated.” Bagmarks, while not endemic among 1897 dollars, can be unsightly on lower-grade Mint State pieces. What is available or even common in a later era of Morgan dollar collecting could have been rare earlier. Such is the case with 1897, examples of which were hardly ever seen in circulation as late as 1925, a quarter century after their release.

Surface Quality: Usually an above-average strike. Usually lustrous and frosty.

Prooflike Coins: Prooflike coins are seen, but are only a fraction of the overall population.

Mintage and Distribution: Delivery figures by month: January, 772,000; February– May, 0; June, 600,000; July–August, 0; September, 100,000; October, 100,000; November, 450,000; December, 800,000. Although it was considered to be a scarce date, large quantities were later released, ending the drought. In the 1950’s, banks in the East were deluged with them, an annoyance to numismatists. Many more bags came out in the Treasury release of 1962 through 1964, some popping up as far west as California and Nevada.

Mintage: 731. Delivery figures by month: January–February, 0; March, 250; April–May, 0; June, 101; July–August, 0; September, 50; October–November, 0; December, 330.

Key to Collecting: Well struck. Deep cameo contrast.

The Mint reported that 13 obverse and 12 reverse dies were destroyed at year’s end, these being the number “used” during the year. However, it is likely that for this year and others, certain reverse dies, undated and capable of coining if they are not cracked or damaged, were not destroyed, but were kept on hand for further use.