The 1895 silver dollar is a coin shrouded in mystery and intrigue. With a remarkably low mintage, this silver dollar is considered one of the rarest and most valuable coins in American history.
Despite rumors that the coin never actually existed, a small hoard of them was eventually discovered, confirming its existence and adding to its allure.
The 1895 silver dollar is a true symbol of American heritage, beauty, and intrigue. The 1895 silver dollar is a true American treasure, steeped in history and beauty.
Want to explore the history, value, and error of this coin? Let’s go!
1895 Silver Dollar Details
- Category: Morgan Dollars
- Mint: Philadelphia, San Francisco, New Orleans
- Total Mintage: 850,880
- Face value: $1.00
- Obverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Edge: Reeded
- Shape: Round
- Silver Weight: 77344 oz
- Total Weight: 26.73 grams
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
- Diameter: 38.1 millimeter
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1895 Silver Dollar Charts
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extra Fine | Uncirculated |
| Philadelphia Proof Only | / | / | / | / |
| 1895-O Morgan Silver Dollar | $177 | $251 | $580 | Rare |
| 1895-S Morgan Silver Dollar | $197 | $367 | $1,036 | $3,531 |
1895 Silver Dollar Value and Varieties Guide
1895 Philadelphia Proof Morgan Silver Dollar
- Category: Morgan dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: None
- Place of minting: Philadelphia
- Year of minting:1895
- Face value: $1
- $ Price: $57,100
- Quantity produced: 880
- Designer: George T. Morgan
This is the most mysterious coin ever minted in Philadelphia. Only 880 proofs were minted, together with 12,000 normal coins. However, there’s no history or account of the 12,000 coins, as they vanished without no explanation.
According to collectors, these 12,000 regular coins were never minted in the first instance, and some believe that the entire mintage was lost in a shipwreck.
The 800 proof coins are rare, hence very valuable. A collector purchased the 1895 PR 67+ DCAM proof dollar for $269,500 in 2020. It’s also believed that the 1895 proof dollars with MS 68 grade are valued at $140,000 to $324,000.
1895-O Morgan Silver Dollar
- Category: Morgan dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: O
- Place of minting: New Orleans
- Year of minting: 1895
- Face value: $1
- $ Price: $300-$3350
- Quantity produced: 450,000
- Designer: George T. Morgan
The 1895-O Morgan Silver Dollar is a coveted item in the world of coin collecting and numismatics. This particular coin was minted in 1895 at the New Orleans Mint, which was one of the four branches of the US Mint during that time. The other three branches were located in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Carson City. The New Orleans Mint was responsible for producing Morgan Dollars from 1879 to 1904, and the 1895-O is considered to be one of the rarest coins produced at that mint.
Despite a total mintage of 450,000, the 1895-O Morgan Silver Dollar is considered to have one of the lowest mintage figures among all Morgan Dollars. This relatively low mintage can be attributed to various factors, such as the declining demand for silver dollars in the mid-1890s and the New Orleans Mint’s primary focus on producing gold coins during that time period. While 450,000 may initially seem like a substantial quantity, it is still a comparatively scarce issue within the Morgan Dollar series.
Today, the 1895-O Morgan Silver Dollar is highly sought-after by collectors and is considered to be one of the key dates in the series. It is especially difficult to find in high grades, as many of the coins were heavily circulated and worn down over the years. As a result, the value of the 1895-O Morgan Silver Dollar can vary widely depending on its condition.
According to the PCGS Price Guide, an 1895-O Morgan Silver Dollar in Good 4 condition is valued at around $225, while an example in Mint State 63 condition can be worth around $45,000. The record price for an 1895-O Morgan Silver Dollar was set in 2010 when a PCGS MS68 specimen was sold for $646,250.
In conclusion, the 1895-O Morgan Silver Dollar is a highly collectible coin with a low mintage and a rich history. Its scarcity and value make it a desirable addition to any collection of US coins.
1895-S Morgan Silver Dollar
- Category: Morgan dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint mark: S
- Place of minting: San Francisco
- Year of minting:1895
- Face value: $1
- $ Price: $300-$3350
- Quantity produced: 400,000
- Designer: George T. Morgan
The 1895-S Morgan silver dollar holds a special place in American history and is a captivating piece for collectors and numismatists alike. It was struck in San Francisco during a time of economic hardship in 1895, and its limited mintage of only 400,000 coins contributes to its rarity and value.
The coin’s design, which was created by George T. Morgan in 1878, features the elegant image of Lady Liberty on its obverse side. Liberty is depicted wearing a tiara engraved with the word “LIBERTY” and encircled by thirteen stars, symbolizing the thirteen original colonies. On the reverse side of the coin, an eagle with outstretched wings grasps an olive branch and arrows in its talons. The coin’s edge is inscribed with the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR.” It wasn’t until the 1940s that coin collectors began to appreciate the rarity and significance of the 1895-S Morgan silver dollar. In fact, the coin was not even included in the first edition of the Guide Book of United States Coins, known as the “Red Book,” published in 1947.
The 1895-S Morgan silver dollar has become a highly coveted item, with prices reaching tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on its condition. At a recent auction in 2021, a PCGS MS63 example of the coin was sold for a staggering $456,000.
Despite its historical significance, the 1895-S Morgan silver dollar has had a storied past. For a long time, rumors circulated that the coin never existed, or that it was lost or melted down. However, a small hoard of these coins was discovered in the Treasury Department’s vaults in the 1960s, which confirmed their existence.
In conclusion, the 1895-S Morgan silver dollar is a rare and iconic piece of American coinage. Its scarcity and historical importance have made it a highly prized item for coin collectors and enthusiasts. The beauty and intricacy of the design of this silver dollar continue to capture the imagination of many, as it stands as a testament to the history and legacy of the United States of America.
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History of the 1895 Silver Dollar
The 1895 silver dollar is a rare and highly sought-after coin among collectors. It is known as the Morgan silver dollar, named after its designer, George T. Morgan, who was an assistant engraver at the United States Mint.
The production of the 1895 silver dollar was very limited, with only 12,000 coins minted. The low mintage was due to the fact that the demand for silver dollars had decreased, and the coin’s production was halted in favor of other denominations.
The coins were minted at the Philadelphia Mint and were never released for circulation. Instead, they were held in the Mint’s vaults as part of the reserve stockpile. Many of the coins were melted down in 1918 as part of a government initiative to free up storage space and re-mint the silver into other coins.
The 1895 silver dollar, in particular, was produced in very limited quantities due to a combination of factors. At the time, the US economy was experiencing a recession, which resulted in decreased demand for silver dollars. Additionally, the US Mint was focused on producing smaller denominations of silver coins, such as dimes and quarters, which were more commonly used in daily transactions.
It is believed that only 880 pieces of 1895 silver dollars still exist today, and they are highly prized by collectors. The coin’s rarity and historical significance have made it one of the most valuable coins in the world, with some specimens selling for millions of dollars at auction.
The 1895 silver dollar has also been the subject of controversy and intrigue over the years. There have been rumors that some of the coins were stolen from the Mint’s vaults, and there have been numerous attempts to counterfeit the coin. These factors only add to the coin’s mystique and allure for collectors.
Because the 1895 silver dollar was not released for circulation, it became a rare and highly coveted coin among collectors. Some collectors even believed that the coins did not exist, as none had been seen in circulation or offered for sale. The rarity of the coin led to increased demand and high prices at auction, as well as attempts by counterfeiters to produce fake coins.
Today, the 1895 silver dollar is considered one of the most valuable and collectible US coins, with some specimens selling for millions of dollars. The coin’s scarcity and historical significance have made it an object of fascination for collectors and enthusiasts of American numismatics.
So, the 1895 silver dollar is a rare and highly sought-after coin with a fascinating history. Its limited production, historical significance, and current scarcity have made it a highly prized item among collectors and a valuable piece of American numismatic history.
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1895 Silver Dollar Grading
Knowing the value of your coin is important before selling or buying more coins. The best way to do this is to hire the service if a professional. Also, you can inspect the coin manually so as to have an insight into the value of the coin.
Although just a few of the 1895 silver dollar coin was minted, the grading depends on their condition or how well preserved it is.
Uncirculated: For an 1895 silver dollar to be termed uncirculated, it means it was never in circulation, hence it’s still in mint condition. These grades of coins are usually the most valuable, as they are still clean as new.
To confirm if your 1895 silver dollar is uncirculated, take a close look at the chin area of the Liberty image, and be sure there’s no visible wear.
Extremely Fine (EF): Coins that are graded as extremely fine still have a high value, in fact, most collectors settle with this grade of the coin because it’s sometimes impossible to find coins in mint condition. To know the real grade of your coin, examine the images on the coins; the top of the wings, hairs on the Liberty’s ear and forehead, and even the cap. If there is very insignificant wear then your coin is in extremely fine condition.
Fine: This is when you notice that the distinct features of your 1895 silver dollar aren’t prominent anymore. It still has the impression of wear, but not to a great extent.
Good: If after examining your 1895 silver dollar, you can see the head curls are now obscured and the letters are now a bit blurry but visible, then it’s in good condition. While it may not worth as much as a coin in mint condition, it’s still a valuable piece.
Want to know the real value of your 1895 silver dollar? Then watch this video.
1895 Silver Dollar Errors
So, far there has been no record of any error in the 1895 silver dollar.
FAQs
1. How much is the 1895 Morgan silver dollar worth?
The value of an 1895 Morgan silver dollar varies depending on its condition and rarity. Some specimens have sold for millions of dollars, but most are worth between $500 and $10,000.
2. Why is the 1895 Morgan silver dollar so rare?
Only 12,000 1895 Morgan silver dollars were minted, making it one of the rarest coins in the Morgan series. No coins were produced for circulation that year, and it is believed that most of the coins were melted down.
3. Where can I buy the 1895 Morgan silver dollar?
1895 Morgan silver dollars can be found at coin shows, auctions, and online marketplaces such as eBay and Heritage Auctions. It is important to purchase from a reputable dealer and have the coin authenticated by a grading service.
4. How can you tell if your 1895 Morgan silver dollar is authentic?
Authentic 1895 Morgan silver dollars have a distinct design and weight and should be certified by a reputable grading service such as PCGS or NGC. Counterfeit coins often have a different weight, color, and design, and may be made from base metals.
Conclusion
The Morgan dollar series are typically rare and expensive, especially when you have them in mint condition.
The 1895 silver dollar is a particularly old coin and would fetch you a lot of money if it’s in an extremely fine condition. However, don’t get carried away and make sure you go to a reliable coin collector if you by any chance find one of these rare valuables.