Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars of the United States - A Complete Encyclopedia
Q. David Bowers
The Fivaz-Stanton book is a relative newcomer to the field of numismatic literature. It has been enthusiastically received, and if this reception continues, a new generation of variety collectors will emerge, in which instance varieties such as the 1880 with 8/7 will take on new financial significance.
1880 with 80/79: Particularly desirable are 1880 overdate dollars that have 79 visible beneath 80, in effect, 1880/1879. This variety was discovered by Anthony and Dazelle Morano and published in the Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine in December 1964. Circulated grades (without regard to overdates):
The 1880 Morgan dollar is very common. It would be even more so had not vast quantities been melted not only during the implementation of the 1918 Pittman and 1942 Silver Purchase acts, but, especially, during the run-up of silver bullion prices in the 1970s.
Mint State grades (without regard to overdates): Specimens of 1880 are very plentiful in Mint State grades of MS-60 through MS-63, and even MS-64 coins are easily found. Selected MS-65 coins are fairly scarce on today's market. Estimates follow:
MS-60 to 62, 120,000 to 140,000; MS-63, 70,000 to 120,000; MS-64, 25,000 to 40,000; MS-65 or better, only 2,000 to 4,000.
Prooflike coins (without regard to overdates): A bag of 1,000 prooflike coins (perfect dates, not overdates) was dispersed in 1971. Wayne Miller examined 500 of these and reported that nearly all were "gorgeous cameos" and had "deep mirror surfaces, frosty devices, and minimum bagmarks." Prooflikes are difficult to find, although examples which areprooflike on just one side are occasionally seen. A group of 1,000 prooflike coins came on the market in 1971 and was rapidly distributed, Wayne Miller wrote. Probably 2,500 to 5,000 PL coins exist, and an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 DMPL. bout 85% of these are in grades lower than MS-65.
Proofs: Perfect date. 'With a mintage of 1,355 this is the Morgan dollar with the highest Proof production figure. Many still survive today, the rnajority of which have been cleaned at one time or another and are in lower Proof grades of Proof-60 to 63.
Varieties
Business strikes:
1. 1880/1879 overdate. Breen-5534, VAM-23. Zero leans left. This "full overdate" would seem to bethe most desirable of the overdate group. Van Allen and Mallis consider this to be Rarity-f on the Sheldon Scale; 13 to 30 coins in existence. Jeff Oxman suggests that the number is fewer than 30, and that the variety is exceptionally popular. (Letter to the author, November 29, 1992 )
2. 1880/7- overdate, Breen-5535. VAM-6. F&S $1.00-003. Rarity-6 on the Sheldon Scale, fewer than five Uncirculateds known to F&S; VAM-7 and 8 = F&S $1.00-004-5, both Rarity 7 (on the Sheldon Scale; 4 to 12 known), both unknown in full Uncirculated. On VAM-6, digits 80 are about parallel; on the others, 0 leans left. VAM-9, 10, 11, 16, and 29 show just small. traces of the under digit 7 and are ot as desirable from a numismatic viewpoint.
Jeff Oxman stated this:" "VAM-6 is the most dramatic of all the 1880 Philadelphia Mint overdates, and as such is highly prized for its clear overdate markings. The VAM-7 is rarer than the VAM-6, and the VAM-8 is rarer still. Together, they represent what is considered the backbone of he 1880 Philadelphia Mint overdates."
3. 1880/9 overdate, Breen-5536. VAM-25. Faint remains of a 9 can be seen under the O. Rare.
4.1880 Perfect date, Breen-5537. Gems are less common than 1879. Extremely common in worn grades and lower Mint State levels. At least 1,000 prooflikes known, including many DMPLs, from a bag which appeared in 1971. Same comments about position of final zero as to 1880/7" above.
Proofs:
1. Perfect date: The 1,355 Proofs should have required two pairs of dies. However, to date only one variety is known, VAM-13, with minute repunching on base of 1, and the same reverse used on 1879 Proofs. Examples are often very attractive and have excellent cameo contrast (the same comment can also be made for 1881 and 1882 Proof dollars).