1900 $1 MS DMPL

Key to Collecting: A new reverse hub was introduced this year. Coins struck from dies made from this hub have less definition to the eagle’s breast feathers, introducing another aspect into grading techniques—as now a coin can be a full strike but not have full feathers! However, some old reverse dies continued in use in the next several years, alongside the new ones. Dollars of the 1900 date range from well struck to poorly defined, and from lustrous and frosty to dull and insipid. They are common enough, and although some discrimination is needed when buying, opportunities will abound.

Surface Quality: Striking is usually below average. Sharp pieces can be found but require some searching. Luster varies from dull and unattractive to somewhat pleasing. Again, cherry picking is advised. More than just a few have raised die striae (tiny parallel raised lines) in the fields, from the basining process, probably using too large a grit size.

Prooflike Coins: Occasionally prooflike pieces are seen, but the contrast is not sharp.

Mintage and Distribution: Delivery figures by month: January, 0; February, 440,000; March, 1,600,000; April, 1,422,000; May, 56,000; June–August, 0; September, 1,500,000; October, 2,002,000; November, 1,322,000; December, 488,000. In the 1950’s, dollars of 1900 were released in quantities to banks, and such pieces became very common. For years, more bags were distributed. Most were gone by the early 1960’s.

Mintage: 912. Delivery figures by month: January–February, 0; March, 377; April– May, 0; June, 135; July–August, 0; September, 100; October–November, 0; December, 300. Two pairs of dies were made for Proofs.

Key to Collecting: Usually a decent strike. Contrast varies from average to cameo. Most are cameos, and, increasingly, many are being certified as such.

Many varieties from the old hub, the new (introduced this year) hub over the old hub. For this year 66 obverse and 61 reverse dies were prepared.