Guidelines for Collecting:

The 1896-O dollar is one of those coins that makes numismatics so interesting and, at the same time, puzzling to the uninitiated observer. A well-worn specimen can be bought with a $20 bill, but on the other hand, the 1896-O is extremely rare—and valuable—in gem condition.

Availability in Circulated Grades:

Most of the mintage for this date evidently circulated long and hard for there is no shortage of VG to EF coins in the marketplace. In AU the coin is easily affordable and many are the collections with a choice AU coin in the 1896-O slot. Above that and it’s every collector for himself or herself.

Availability in Mint State Grades:

Despite the mintage for the date, a Mint State 1896-O is not an easy item to locate. The Guide Book lists a five-figure amount for a Mint State-65 example of the date, and even its MS-60 column gives a four-figure value that is more than nine times that of an AU coin. The luster is soft and the strike is deficient on most examples of this date, and finding a specimen that beats those odds is an accomplishment.

Availability in Proof:

None produced.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the Larry H. Miller Collection, where it realized $528,000.

1896-O Morgan Dollar Auction Highlights

1896-O Morgan Dollar PCGS MS-66, CAC Sold for $528,000   View Lot 6370

1896-O Morgan Dollar PCGS MS-64 Sold for $32,900   View Lot 2127

1896-O Morgan Dollar PCGS MS-64 Sold for $31,200   View Lot 1227