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<h2>Q. David Bowers</h2>The following narrative, with minor editing, is from my "Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia" (Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., 1993)<br/><br/>Coinage Context<br/><br/>Low mintage: The 1899 Morgan dollar was produced to the extent of just 330,000 circulation strikes, one of the lowest figures in the series. From time to time, it has been stated that this figure is a typographical error and it should be higher, but I see no reason to dispute the Mint numbers. Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis concur.<br/><br/>Numismatic Information<br/><br/>Once a rarity: From the time of mintage through the early decades of the twentieth century, the 1899 was a major rarity. Very few had been released into circulation.<br/><br/>Because of its low mintage figure, the 1899 has always been an appealing coin for collectors and investors. In numismatics, few things are more enticing than a low production number.<br/><br/>Hoard coins: From the early 1950s through the very early 1960s, numerous bags came to light. Harry J. Forman reported handling about 10 bags, mostly obtained from Las Vegas (an unusual source for Philadelphia dollars; most coins surfacing there were from the San Francisco or, less often, Carson City Mint). Probably, somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 Mint State coins were released at the time.<br/><br/>The Treasury dispersal of 1962-1964 saw more 1899 dollars brought out into the open from long term storage. Bags were released in Montana early in 1963 and in California and Nevada shortly thereafter.<br/><br/>Years ago, the 1899 was a favorite coin for investment commentary. I recall a client telling me years ago that he was considering buying a bag of these from Harry J. Forman, but was hesitating because an "investment expert" told him that the mintage was really several million coins, not just 330,000. I suggested that if the expert had some coins for sale cheaper than Harry did, my client should buy them from the expert. As expected, the expert didn't have any.<br/><br/>Circulated grades: The 1899 is scarce in worn grades, due to its low mintage. In fact, it is among the top dozen most elusive pieces in the series. Probably, about 6,000 to 12,000 survive. In 1925, numismatist E.S. Thresher reported that despite searching since 1919, he had not been able to find an example in circulation; one of just eight coins absent from his Morgan dollar collection (the others were 1884-CC, 1885-CC, 1889-S, 1892, 1893-S, 1894, and 1897).<br/><br/>Mint State grades: In Mint State the 1899 dollar is readily available. Most of the known pieces are in lower ranges. I estimate that 50,000 to 100,000 remain from MS-60 through 62; 25,000 to 50,000 at the next step, MS-63; 7,000 to 14,000 at the MS-64 stage; and only 2,500 to 5,000 MS-65 or better.<br/><br/>Striking and lustre vary widely. Some 1899 silver dollars are sharp and lustrous, others are weak and insipid. Again, cherrypick when you buy.<br/><br/>Prooflike coins: Prooflike coins are scarce, but at least a few thousand exist. Most have low contrast and are not particularly attractive. DMPL cameo coins are slightly scarcer than PLs. About 20% of DMPLs cross the MS-64 grade barrier. As is the case with all Philadelphia Mint DMPL coins, prospective purchasers should consider the availability of regular Proofs; these place a damper on the potential of DMPLs, even in higher grades.<br/><br/>Varieties<br/><br/>Circulation strikes:<br/><br/>1. Normal date: Open 99, Breen-5656, VAM-1, 2; Closed 99, Breen-5657, VAM-3. VAM-6 offers the best of both worlds: one 9 is open and one is closed! The date differences are not dramatic, and most numismatists are satisfied to have just one coin to illustrate the yearProduct Identifiers
DesignerGeorge T. Morgan
eBay Product ID (ePID)170382181
Product Key Features
Strike TypeBusiness
Mint LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Composition90% Silver, 10% Copper
Year1899
Dimensions
Weight26.73g
Additional Product Features
Mintage33
MintPhiladelphia
Denomination$1
PCGS Number7258
Diameter38.1mm
Mint MarkP
EdgeReeded
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Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 10 May, 2017
1899 Morgan
This Morgan year is a great collectors coin with very low mintage of only 330,000...hard to find in Mint State condition and usually they have been cleaned....Never pay too much for one that looks too shinny or has a bunch of little whisper marks, that usually leads to a coin that has been dipped or wizzed!!! Good luck Hunting!Verified purchase: Yes
- 09 Jun, 2018
Historical
Great looking coin, needed this year for my book. The few scratches were minimal and did not take away from the look of the coin. Happy with the purchase.Verified purchase: Yes
- 19 Apr, 2016
The forgotten Key date 1899 P Morgan Dollar
The 1899 P Morgan Silver dollar is one of those coins that gets forgotten and missed. Many buyers search for Carson City coins or the 1893, 1894, 1895's. With just 330,000 minted is is a secret Key Date, that we forget. You can still pick up a MS (Mint State) coin for under $350, but expect to pay much more for a 64 and up. Look for coins graded by NGC or PCGS. They not only hold value but increase as more collectors search for them.Verified purchase: Yes
- 16 Jun, 2017
excellant 100 year old coin
its very hard to find a well graded 100 year old coin without spending a mint so you look till you find what your looking for than the bid begins good luck.Verified purchase: Yes
- 17 Mar, 2017
nicer than I expected! but I was hoping it would be this quality
Sometimes pictures don't tell the true coin story, this exceeded my expectations, I was hoping it would be of this qualityVerified purchase: Yes
- 23 Jun, 2018
I think each collector should have at list one of the 330,000 since only part of 1899-P is graded high enough to be saved
I Got fewVerified purchase: Yes
- 21 Jan, 2018
wait for the right one
Sometimes coins just "jump" out ,sometimes two or three at a time and sometimes they don't . This one took a while to find but I knew when it came up , it was the coin to get.Verified purchase: Yes
- 31 Jul, 2018
A good find
The condition of the coin is of higher quality, matching the other coins in my album.Verified purchase: Yes
- 24 Oct, 2018
Key date. Great find.
Key date in my Morgan collection. Great find and I am glad to have it.Verified purchase: Yes
- 08 Aug, 2017
Speedy delivery.. Nice coin would do business again.. Thank you..
Verified purchase: Yes
