1885-O Morgan Silver Dollar PCGS MS63

An 1885-O Morgan Silver Dollar with a PCGS MS63 grade is a coin in choice uncirculated condition, typically valued between $75 and $150. The exact price can vary based on factors like eye appeal, toning, and the specific market.

What PCGS MS63 Means

The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) uses a 70-point scale to grade coins.¹ The MS stands for Mint State, indicating the coin has never been in circulation and shows no wear.² The 63 is the numerical grade. An MS63 coin is considered choice uncirculated, meaning it has:

• Original Luster: The coin retains its original mint luster, though it may be slightly impaired.³

   

• Contact Marks: It may have moderate contact marks or scuffs, which are a result of coins rubbing against each other during the minting process.⁴ These are more noticeable than on higher-graded coins.

   

• Eye Appeal: The coin is attractive, but the overall appearance is not considered “gem” quality.

Mintage and Historical Context

The 1885-O Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint, denoted by the “O” mint mark.⁵ With a mintage of over 9 million coins, it is considered a relatively common issue.⁶ However, a significant number of these coins were melted down or put into circulation over the years, making high-quality, uncirculated examples more desirable to collectors.⁷

The Morgan Dollar series itself is a classic of American coinage, minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921.⁸ It’s named after its designer, George T. Morgan, and contains 90% silver.⁹ The coin’s history is closely tied to the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, which required the U.S. Treasury to purchase and coin a large amount of silver, leading to the creation of the Morgan Dollar.¹⁰