1880-O Morgan Dollar
Guidelines for Collecting:
1880-O dollars were released into circulation around the time they were minted and in dribs and drabs in later years. All were minted with the Reverse of 1879 (SAF), with rounded eagle’s breast and slanted arrow top feathers. To continue the theme of the 1880 dollar, a number of dies were overdated and may show traces of earlier digits. Striking varies from strong to soft, but most examples are above average. Luster varies from satiny to greasy.
Availability in Circulated Grades:
All grades from Fine to AU are represented in quantity in today’s marketplace and anyone working on a circulated set of Morgan dollars will have no difficulty finding a suitable example.
Availability in Mint State Grades:
Generally available in all grades up to and including Gem MS-65; even finer specimens are known though they tend to be elusive. Many bags of this date emerged from hiding in the mid-1950s and were a main source of today’s Mint State specimens.
Availability in Proof:
None produced.
1880-O with 80 over 79:
These, made in several die combinations for circulation, represent the use in 1880 of 1879-dated dies that were on hand in the die department of the Philadelphia Mint. A Guide Book of United States Coins lists these.
 80 Over 79 |  80 Over 79 |
The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the August 2010 Boston Rarities Auction, where it realized $35,650.
1880-O Morgan Dollar Auction Highlights
 PCGS MS-65, CAC Sold for $35,650 View Lot 1135 |  NGC 65+ Sold for $31,200 View Lot 7078 |  PCGS MS-65 Sold for $21,850 View Lot 2741 |
