1886-S Morgan Silver Dollar Value
Mintage: 750,000
Finest Known: MS67 (NGC) MS67 (PCGS)
Auction Record: $55,200 (MS67)
Image: USA CoinBook
The 1886-S Morgan dollar was the first Morgan dollar mintage under 1 million coins. The 750,000 mintage of the 1886-S Morgan was by far the lowest mintage from any mint to that date. The unusually low mintage suggests little demand for more silver dollars on the West Coast at the time.
The 1886-S Morgan dollar was one of the most desirable rarities of the series until the 1920s. A few thousand were released into circulation from the San Francisco Mint in the 1920s, followed by more bags being released throughout the West from 1942 to the late 1950s. There was no interest in 1886-S Morgans at the time, and they were disbursed at face value.
There are rumors that a good portion of the mintage was melted, but there is no way to confirm that.
The Value of an 1886-S Morgan Dollar
Circulated 1886-S Morgan dollars became more available in the 1920s, and more so in the 1950s, as they were paid out in the regular course of business. This is not to say that they are not scarce, because they are. The issue is simply not the extreme rarity it was before the 1920s.
The average 1886-S Morgan dollar is well-struck with an attractive luster. That said, many Mint State samples suffer from abrasions, which can limit their grade. This results in escalating prices above MS63.
1886-S Morgan Dollar Price Guide
| Very Fine 25 | Extremely Fine 45 | About Uncirculated 55 |
|---|---|---|
| $94 | $125 | $169 |
| Mint State 61 | Mint State 63 | Mint State 65 | Auction Record (MS67) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $390 | $513 | $1,620 | $55,200 |
The information on this page does not constitute an offer to buy or sell the coin(s) referred to. Statistics are for Mint State coins only. Proof and prooflike examples of this issue may have greater or lesser "finest known" and different record auction prices.