Stack’s Bowers Galleries will be presenting a newly discovered 1881-O Branch Mint Proof Morgan Dollar in their November 2024 Showcase Auction. Featured as part of the incredible Darrel O. Neidigh, Jr. Collection, this piece–long off the market and previously unknown to the modern numismatic community–was just recently graded by PCGS as Proof 64 and verified by both CAC and CMQ. It represents an incredible prize for advanced collectors of key-date Morgan Dollars and 19th-century Proof coinage.
Immediately recognized as something special by Stack’s Bowers’ Philadelphia gallery, this Branch Mint Proof 1881-O is one the most astonishing numismatic discoveries in recent years. For most areas of numismatics there are few surprise discoveries yet to be made, especially within the realm of late 19th-century federal coinage. Yet the certification of a heretofore unknown Branch Mint Proof Morgan Dollar such as this 1881-O is truly historic. Few series are as avidly collected as the Morgan Dollar series.
Along with coins produced for circulation, limited numbers of special Proof coins were struck for collectors each year at the Philadelphia Mint, with most years’ mintages being under 1,000 pieces.
Proofs were also produced in much smaller numbers at the branch mints in Carson City, New Orleans, and San Francisco. These Proofs struck outside of the Philadelphia Mint are extremely rare and most people have never seen one. Some dates are well known, and there is documentation for their creation; others (like this Proof 1881-O) have no historical documentation. Yet there is no doubt that this coin is a specially created coin, made from a freshly polished pair of dies and specially polished planchet. Care was taken in its execution, and since being produced it has been cared for by every one of its previous owners, whose identities unfortunately are lost to history.
Stack’s Bowers Galleries is honored to provide collectors with the first ever opportunity to acquire a certified 1881-O Branch Mint Proof dollar in their November sale. For questions on this historic rarity or to register for bidding, contact the firm at 800-458-4646 or email [email protected].
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