1880-O Morgan Dollar NGC MS61

The 1880-O Morgan Silver Dollar, struck at the New Orleans Mint, is a desirable coin from the legendary Morgan Dollar series, which was minted from 1878 to 1904 and briefly in 1921. Composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, this coin contains 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver. Graded MS61 by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), this example is an uncirculated coin with noticeable contact marks, slight abrasions, and good mint luster typical for the grade.

Obverse Design:

Designed by George T. Morgan, the obverse features a left-facing portrait of Lady Liberty, modeled after teacher Anna Willess Williams. She is adorned with a Phrygian cap, symbolizing liberty, along with a crown of cotton and wheat, representing America’s agricultural heritage. The inscriptions include:

• "E PLURIBUS UNUM" arching along the upper rim
• Thirteen stars encircling the lower rim, symbolizing the original thirteen colonies
• The date "1880" centered at the bottom

Reverse Design:

The reverse features a majestic bald eagle with outstretched wings, clutching an olive branch and arrows in its talons, symbolizing both peace and military strength. The eagle is encircled by a laurel wreath, and the "O" mintmark is positioned below, indicating that the coin was struck at the New Orleans Mint. The inscriptions include:

• "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along the top rim
• "IN GOD WE TRUST" in Gothic-style script above the eagle
• "ONE DOLLAR" displayed along the bottom rim

Key Features:

• NGC MS61 Grade – An uncirculated coin with noticeable bag marks and abrasions but retaining mint luster and sharp details.
• New Orleans Mint Issue ("O" Mintmark) – Produced at the historic New Orleans Mint, which operated as a key branch facility for U.S. coinage.
• 90% Silver Composition – Contains 0.7734 troy ounces of silver, offering both numismatic and intrinsic value.
• Classic Morgan Dollar Design – Features George T. Morgan’s timeless Liberty and eagle artwork, one of the most recognizable designs in U.S. numismatics.
• Scarcer in High Grades – Many 1880-O Morgan Dollars were weakly struck, making well-preserved examples more difficult to find in higher grades.

Collectibility & Investment Appeal:

The 1880-O Morgan Silver Dollar in NGC MS61 is an excellent entry-level Mint State coin for collectors seeking an affordable uncirculated example of a New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollar. While this date had a moderate mintage, many were heavily circulated, making uncirculated examples appealing to collectors. The New Orleans Mint is known for its softer strikes, adding to the historical intrigue of this piece.