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The 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar is a highly sought-after coin among collectors, and for good reason. It's one of the most iconic and valuable coins in the Morgan series.
With a mintage of 9.3 million, the 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar is relatively common compared to other Morgan dollars, but its value can still be substantial.
One of the key factors affecting the coin's value is its condition. A well-preserved 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar in good condition can be worth several hundred dollars.
To give you a better idea, a circulated 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar in good condition can be worth around $50 to $100, while a mint state coin can fetch upwards of $1,000.
History and Value
The 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the most plentiful Morgan issues from 1878 to 1904, with a record high mintage of 20,290,000 coins.
The Philadelphia Mint produced this large quantity of coins, making it the most affordable issue of the date in Choice Uncirculated condition (MS63).
In terms of strike quality, the 1887 issues are similar to the Philadelphia strikes of 1886, but often appear softer struck than their 1886 counterparts.
A circulated 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar can be found in almost any grade, from lower-graded pieces to ultra-gem quality, making it a great coin for collectors of all levels.
However, finding a lustrous specimen with excellent cartwheel activity and bold design details can be a challenge, requiring patience and careful searching.
The 1887 Morgan Dollar is also a great coin for those interested in building a complete year set, as it is the most frequently encountered coin of the date to survive in Mint State.
Value and Pricing
The value of a 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar can vary greatly depending on its condition. In Average Circulated (AC) condition, it's worth around $35.00.
Determining the condition of your coin is crucial in placing a value, as collectors are always searching for silver dollars in top condition. Collectors study the amount of wear on silver dollars to evaluate their condition.
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The condition of your 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar can be graded as Uncirculated, Extremely Fine, Fine, or Good. To reach "uncirculated" condition, all original detail must remain, with no wear or loss of mint luster.
In Extremely Fine condition, noticeable wear is evident, such as traces of wear within the hair above Liberty's forehead and behind her neck. San Francisco "S" mint marked 1887 dollars in Extremely Fine condition are now trading at a premium to silver bullion value.
In Fine condition, distinct features of Liberty are reduced by moderate wear, lowering the grade. Leaves surrounding the cotton blossoms are only outlines lacking inner detail.
A 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar in Good condition shows extensive wear, reducing the design to just a few elements. However, the eagle on the reverse does show a few remaining feathers close to the legs.
Here's a chart to give you a better idea of what you might be asked to pay for a Morgan Silver Dollar given its condition and type:
One in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $220 at auction.
Condition and Value
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The condition of your 1887 Morgan silver dollar is a crucial factor in determining its value.
In uncirculated condition, the coin should have all original, as-minted detail and no wear.
Mint luster remaining on the entire surface, including the chin, neck line, and hair below and above the ear, confirms the uncirculated grade.
In extremely fine condition, noticeable wear is evident within the hair above Liberty's forehead and behind her neck.
A coin in extremely fine condition is still very sharp and crisp, but check again for mintmarks, as San Francisco "S" mint marked 1887 dollars trade at a premium to silver bullion value.
In fine condition, distinct and well-defined features of Liberty are reduced by moderate wear, lowering the grade to "fine" condition.
A good condition coin shows extensive wear and reduces the design to just a few elements, with the rim and lettering flattened to almost level with the fields.
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The majority of Liberty is without detail, but the eagle on the reverse may still show a few remaining feathers close to the legs.
In average circulated condition, a 1887 Morgan silver dollar is worth around $35.00, but in certified mint state (MS+) condition, it could bring as much as $220 at auction.
Determining Value
To determine the value of your 1887 Morgan silver dollar, you need to assess its condition. The condition of your coin is one of the subtle but important parts of placing a value. Collectors are always searching for silver dollars in top condition, so it's essential to evaluate the wear on your coin.
A "grade" of its condition is assigned to help determine an accurate value. The grade is determined by the amount of wear on the coin. Uncirculated coins have no wear and retain their original mint detail, while circulated coins show varying degrees of wear.
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In extremely fine condition, your silver dollar will still be very sharp and crisp, but you may notice slight wear within the hair above Liberty's forehead and behind her neck. Extremely fine condition coins with San Francisco mint marks are now trading at a premium to silver bullion value.
Fine condition coins have moderate wear, reducing the distinct and well-defined features of Liberty. Leaves surrounding the cotton blossoms are only outlines lacking inner detail. Fine condition coins give the impression of wear but not excessive.
The value of your 1887 Morgan silver dollar is tied to its condition. A coin in average circulated condition is worth around $35.00, while a coin in certified mint state (MS+) condition can bring as much as $220 at auction.
Learn About the Coin
The 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar is a highly sought-after coin among collectors. It was minted in Philadelphia and is considered a key date coin, which means it's particularly valuable due to its rarity.
The Morgan Silver Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and was first introduced in 1878. It features a beautiful Lady Liberty design on the obverse side.
One of the most valuable Morgan Silver Dollars is the 1893-S Morgan Dollar, but the 1887 is also highly prized. In fact, it's considered one of the top 10 most valuable Morgan Silver Dollars.
The 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar has a diameter of 38.1 mm and weighs 26.73 grams. It's made of 90% silver and 10% copper.
If you're interested in collecting Morgan Silver Dollars, you might consider starting with a complete collection of all Morgan Silver Dollars. This would include coins from 1878 to 1904 and 1921.
Here are some key dates every collector should know:
- 1878
- 1887
- 1893-S
- 1921
Grading your Morgan Silver Dollar is crucial to determining its value. A collector's guide can help you understand the different grades and how to determine the condition of your coin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the error on the 1887 Morgan dollar?
The 1887 Morgan dollar features two types of errors: a brockage and an off-center striking. This rare coin showcases unique minting flaws that make it a fascinating collectible.
Is a 1887 silver dollar rare?
No, a 1887 Morgan dollar is not rare, as it's one of the most common dates in circulation with an estimated 1 million Mint State coins still existing. Despite its abundance, the 1887 Morgan dollar is still a valuable and sought-after coin among collectors.
Where can I sell my 1887 silver dollar?
To sell your 1887 silver dollar, contact Coinappraiser.com for expert assistance and auction services. Their team will help you find a buyer who values your treasured coin.
What is the rarest year of the Morgan Dollar?
The rarest Morgan Dollar is the 1893-S, with the finest examples selling for over $1 million. This coin is highly sought after, but be cautious of fakes due to their prevalence.
What is the 10 most valuable Morgan dollars?
The top 10 most valuable Morgan dollars include coins like the 1883 S Morgan Silver Dollar, valued at $450,000, and the 1901 (P) Morgan Silver Dollar, valued at $700,000. These rare coins are highly sought after by collectors and can command significant prices at auction.
Sources
- https://coinappraiser.com/coins/value-of-1887-silver-morgan-dollar/
- https://www.jmbullion.com/coin-info/us-silver-dollars/morgan-dollars/1887-morgan-dollar/
- https://www.coinstudy.com/1887-morgan-silver-dollar-value.html
- https://coinweek.com/1887-morgan-dollar-a-collectors-guide/
- https://cointrackers.com/coins/13834/1887-morgan-silver-dollar/
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