Mint State 1887 Morgan Dollars are uncirculated United States silver dollars struck during an important period in American coinage. Designed by George T. Morgan, the coin features Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap on the obverse and a powerful eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse. Its design reflects the artistic style and industrial confidence of the late 19th century, while the substantial size and silver content give the coin a distinctly tangible presence. Each Morgan Dollar contains 90% silver and 10% copper, weighs 26.73 grams, and contains approximately 0.7734 troy ounces of silver. The term “Mint State” indicates that a coin was not circulated in the ordinary sense, although Mint State pieces can still show varying degrees of contact marks, surface friction, luster, and strike quality. Grading begins at MS60 and extends through MS70, with higher numerical grades generally describing coins with fewer distractions and stronger overall preservation. For 1887 Morgan Dollars, the difference between a modest Mint State example and a more advanced gem-quality piece may be visible in the fields around Liberty’s portrait, the cheek and jawline, the eagle’s breast feathers, and the open areas around the lettering. Small marks from storage and handling are part of the story of many 19th-century coins, while bright cartwheel luster, pleasing toning, and well-defined details can contribute to a particularly attractive appearance. Certified examples are sealed in protective holders with an assigned grade, which can make the coin easier to identify, store, and compare alongside other dated Morgan Dollars. Collectors who prefer a more technical approach may focus on the numerical grade, while others place equal importance on eye appeal, originality, and the character of the surfaces.
The United States Mint produced 1887 Morgan Dollars at three facilities, and the mint mark provides an important point of distinction. Philadelphia struck more than 20 million examples and used no mint mark, so an 1887 Morgan Dollar without a mint mark represents the Philadelphia issue. New Orleans produced approximately 11.5 million pieces, identified by an “O” mint mark beneath the wreath on the reverse. San Francisco struck a much smaller number, approximately 1.7 million, marked with an “S”; as a result, Mint State examples from San Francisco are often more difficult to locate, particularly in higher grades. Mintage alone does not determine the character or market price of an individual coin, since surviving quantities, grade distribution, surface quality, demand, and certification all play a role in how examples are collected and compared. Purchase considerations may include the mint mark, certified grade, clarity of the holder’s label, visible luster, degree of toning, and whether the coin’s surfaces appear consistent with its assigned condition. A loupe or clear photographs can help reveal hairlines, contact marks, rim bumps, spots, or areas of weakness in the strike, while the reverse can show how sharply the eagle’s feathers and wreath were defined. Some collectors build date-and-mint sets, others assemble examples across several grade levels, and many simply appreciate the weight, imagery, and historical connection of a well-preserved silver dollar. These coins can also serve as thoughtful gifts for someone interested in American history, classic coin design, military-era artifacts, or the craftsmanship of the United States Mint. Displayed in a protective holder or kept with other period coinage, an 1887 Morgan Dollar can provide a physical introduction to late 19th-century commerce and collecting traditions. Collectors comparing particularly high-grade certified coins may also encounter the separate category of
Mint State 70 Silver Dollars, a term describing coins assigned the highest point on the numeric Mint State scale. As the weather shifts through the cooler months, the enduring appeal of these dollars remains rooted in their durable silver composition, recognizable American imagery, varied mint history, and the small details that make each surviving coin distinct.
