NGC Grades One of the First Morgan Dollars Struck in San Francisco

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) has certified one of the first 10 Morgan Dollars struck by the San Francisco Mint. This incredible piece of numismatic history is now graded NGC SP 64.

1878-S Morgan Dollar, graded NGC SP 64. Click images to enlarge.

Hundreds of millions of Morgan Dollars were struck from 1878 to 1921. Today, they are among the most popular coins with collectors because of their classic design, large size and historical significance. Nearly 4 million examples have been certified by NGC.

The 1878-S Morgan Dollar recently certified by NGC undoubtedly ranks as one of the most important. According to contemporary newspaper accounts, this coin was struck sometime around 3:40 p.m. on April 17, 1878, under the close supervision of Coiner F.X. Cicott and Mint Superintendent Henry L. Dodge. It was engraved: “ONE OF THE FIRST TEN COINED APRIL 17TH FROM J. GUS. BURT.”

Close-up of the engraving. Click images to enlarge.

This incredible coin was struck from freshly polished dies and has an exceptionally strong strike with vivid cameo contrast between the design elements and the fields. The coin was clearly specially produced for the occasion and has thus been given the Specimen designation by NGC.

The coin’s engraving is very similar to other engravings found on Morgan Dollars, such as the ones that appear on the first 1921 Morgan Dollars released from the Denver Mint. However, this appears to be the only 1878-S Morgan Dollar with such an engraving, which is also better executed than that seen on the 1921-D examples.

This 1878-S Morgan Dollar has a long pedigree. Its provenance can be traced back to Henry Chapman sale of the Emanuel Wertman Collection on November 19, 1910 in Philadelphia, where it apparently sold for a mere $1.10. It was later part of the famed Eliasberg Collection of US coinage.

This coin’s listing in the 1910 Catalog of the Emanuel Wertman Collection. Click images to enlarge.

“I have collected and studied Morgan Dollars for nearly four decades and this is one of the most amazing examples that I have ever seen,” said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman and Grading Finalizer. “The coin is extraordinary, and I am honored that the owner chose NGC to certify it.”

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