Lot 385
1896-1897 Morgan Silver Dollars
Sold December 12, 2025
- Price realized
- $225
Price realized is the winning bid (hammer price) and excludes buyer’s premium.
About this lot
Estimated Value: $400-1,000
Origin: United States
Denomination: One Dollar
Year: 1896-1897
Mint: Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco
Grade/Condition: Various Conditions
Metal: Silver
Weight (+/- 0.2g): Total: 157.5 Grams
Additional Description: The Morgan Silver Dollars of 1896 and 1897 reflect the series in its later, yet still vigorous, phase, when both design and production had been refined to a high standard. Liberty’s profile, calm and poised, conveys the classical dignity George T. Morgan intended, while her hair and coronet are rendered with crisp, confident detail. The reverse eagle, wings outstretched, maintains its symbolic balance of strength and peace, each feather sharply articulated, demonstrating the Mint’s attention to precision even in routine production.
Philadelphia and San Francisco were the primary mints for these issues, each leaving subtle hallmarks of origin. Philadelphia strikes tend to exhibit bright luster and clean relief, while San Francisco coins, often slightly softer in detail, possess a warmth in toning that many collectors find appealing. These years also mark a period of relatively moderate mintages, making high-grade examples increasingly desirable.
Beyond their physical beauty, the 1896 and 1897 Morgans are artifacts of a nation transitioning toward the twentieth century, balancing industrial growth, financial reform, and the enduring cultural significance of silver. Each coin is more than currency; it is a miniature testament to American artistry, economy, and identity at the close of the century.
Lot details
- Lot
- 385
- Auction
- Gold and Silver Showcase
- Closed
- December 12, 2025
Related lots
1888-1889 Morgan Silver Dollars
Sold $190
1885-1886 Morgan SIlver Dollars
Sold $180
1932-1965 Book of Washington Quarters
Sold $1,325
1881-1882 Morgan SIlver Dollars
Sold $250
1911 Indian Head Five Dollar Gold Coin
Sold $800
