Q. David Bowers
Business Strikes:
Enabling legislation: Act of February 28, 1878, plus the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of July 14, 1890 Designer: George T. Morgan
Weight and composition: 412.5 grains; .900 silver, .100 copper
Melt-down (silver value) in year minted: $0.46525
Dies prepared: Obverse: 85; Reverse: 85
Business strike mintage: 12,290,000; Delivery figures by month: January: 1,200,000; February: 1,100,000; March: 1,350,000; April: 1,350,000; May: 1,500,000; June: 700,000; July: 360,000; August: 830,000; September: 870,000; October: 1,000,000; November: 950,000; December: 1,080,000 ..
Estimated quantity melted: Probably 5,000,000 or more under the 1918 Pittman Act.
Approximate population MS-65 or better: 30,000 to 60,000 (URS-16)
Approximate population MS-64: 150,000 to 250,000 (URS-19)
Approximate population MS-63: 175,000 to 275,000 (URS-19)
Approximate population MS-60 to 62: 300,000 to 600,000 (URS-20)
Approximate population G-4 to AU-58: 750,000 to 1,250,000 (URS-21)
Availability of prooflike coins: Many prooflike coins exist, as do DMPL coins. Most are bagmarked, often extensively.
Characteristics of striking: Varies from flat to sharp, but usually above average.
Known hoards of Mint State coins: Some bags were released by the Treasury in the 1940s and early 1950s, and many bags were released 1962-1964.
Proofs:
None
Commentary
Mint State specimens of 1899-O are usually very lustrous and attractive, although the quality of strike varies.
Dollar Distribution
The Annual Report of the Director of the Mint, 1899, told of distribution of dollars during the fiscal year: New Orleans: In mint July 1, 1898, 1,139,000; coinage fiscal year 1899, 10,540,000; total, 11,679,000; in mint July I, 1899, 11,409,000; total, 11,409,000; distributed from mint, 270,000.