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1895 Morgan $1 NGC Proof 68

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:40,000.00 USD Estimated At:80,000.00 - 90,000.00 USD
1895 Morgan $1 NGC Proof 68
1895 Morgan Dollar. NGC graded Proof 68. A superb gem specimen exhibiting alternating areas of multi-color iridescent toning on each side. Only 880 minted for this key date Proof-only year. Rarest of the rare in the Morgan series, held by all to be the King of the Morgan Dollars and for understandable reasons, only Proofs were minted. Business strikes are unknown. It is from these few specimens that tens of thousands of collectors, if not hundreds of thousands of collectors, must struggle over ownership of the small supply on the market at any one time.

The coin is, in words of one syllable, a knock-out. Viewed under a magnifying glass, but also visible in the photographs, are deep original iridescent shades of color acquired in its years spent in the original tissue wrapper. Where later Proof coins were packaged in either cellophane (1930s-1950s) or flat-pack plastic by the mint, all pre-1916 coinage was shipped in simple jeweler's tissue paper. The tissue was made using sulfur. And it is this naturally occurring element which imparts the marvelous colors you see on the few gem Proofs. This glittering 1895 turns head and draws stares of disbelief. Faithful to every detail from a solid blow by the dies, the hair is finely detailed down to the tiniest hair strand. This includes the sometimes weak curls above the ear; included also in this description of a full blow by the dies is a resplendent eagle, proud and assured, with full-featured wings and a nice feather-encrusted chest projecting from the central part of this side of the design. The coin, grading Proof 68, is housed in NGC holder 1743100-014 and will forever remind us how spectacular these early Morgan dollars were in Proof condition at the time of issue. Don't let the current market disturbance sway you from bidding. As seems inevitable whenever a great rarity like a Superb Gem Proof 1895 Morgan dollar changes hands, the interest and value only increases, year by year. Pop 3; none finer (PCGS # 7330) .

Historic note: At the time this Proof only Dollar was minted in 1895, the executive branch of the American republic was being led by a beefy, 300-pound gentle giant of a President, Stephen Grover Cleveland (1837-1908). As politicians go, Mr. Cleveland was somewhere in-between when it came to the usual foibles and job peddling associated with his profession. He had a conservative philosophy, though, which surfaced in his clashes with followers of the colorful William Jennings Bryan. Cleveland believed a gold standard was the only honest standard for a nation's money. And woe to anyone who should drive this country to socialism by doing away with it! Unfortunately, soon after he attained office, the economy crashed into depression. Throughout his 1892-1896 tenure in office he had to deal with the pain and suffering of his constituents. Although this short look back doesn't affect who buys this silver dollar or not, it is helpful for numismatists to bring together the events surrounding the issuance of such a coin; it gives meaning to a coin.
Estimated Value $80,000 - 90,000.