Specifications
- Year: 1898
- Mint: New Orleans (“O”)
- Denomination: $1
- Weight: 26.73 grams
- Diameter: 38.1 mm
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
- Silver Content: ~0.77344 troy oz
Design Details
- Obverse:
- Designed by George T. Morgan, the obverse depicts Lady Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap, with the inscription “Liberty” on her hairband, “E Pluribus Unum,” and the date “1898.”
- Reverse:
- The reverse features a heraldic eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows, along with the inscriptions “United States of America,” “One Dollar,” and “In God We Trust.”
Grading & Market Context
- Grading (MS64):
- An MS64 grade indicates a well-preserved Mint State coin with only minor surface blemishes. While not at the highest gem quality, this grade is common for the 1898‑O and still desirable among collectors.
- Mintage & Population:
- The 1898‑O had a mintage of approximately 4,440,000 coins. Although many examples exist, well-preserved specimens in higher Mint State grades are harder to find.
VF-20 Very Fine- Two thirds of hair lines from top of forehead to ear visible. Ear well defined. Feathers on eagle’s breast worn.
EF-40 Extremely Fine- All hair lines strong and ear bold. Eagle’s feathers all plain but with slight wear on breast and wing tips.
AU-50- About Uncirculated- Slight trace of wear on the bust shoulder and hair left of forehead, and on eagle’s breast and top edges of wings.
MS-60 Uncirculated- No trace of wear; full mint luster present, but may noticeably marred by scuff marks or bag abrasions.
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated- No trace of wear; full mint luster; few noticeable surface marks.
MS-64 Uncirculated- A few scattered contact marks/ Good eye appeal and attractive luster.
MS-65 Gem Uncirculated- Only light, scattered contact marks that are not distracting. Strong luster, good eye appeal.
PF-63 Choice Proof- Reflective surfaces with few blemishes in secondary focal places. No major flaws.
