1879-O $1 PR64BM PCGS....

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1879-O Morgan Dollar, PR64
Branch Mint Proof, Ex: Wayne Miller
12 Minted, Four Survivors

1879-O $1 PR64BM PCGS. We last offered this extraordinary coin as lot 7654 of the Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 9/2002), where it was described as:

"The 1879-O branch mint proof Dollar is undoubtedly one of the best known of all branch mint proofs. The existence of these coins has been known since 1880 or so, but they were largely forgotten until rediscovered more than 25 years ago. Allegedly twelve proofs were struck on February 20, 1879 to commemorate the reopening of the mint after being shut down in 1861. Today only four pieces are known. This is the #1 specimen as listed in Wayne Miller's second edition of his Morgan and Peace Dollar Textbook, page 219."

Of course, it has now been an even 40 years since the first public appearance of an 1879-O branch mint proof, this identical coin, in the Central States Auction (RARCOA, 5/1973), lot 302 (see roster below). The diagnostics of this branch mint proof were published in the October 9, 1995 issue of Coin World, and include:

"Obverse:
1. The back of the truncation of the neck was overpolished, leaving an "island" of metal.
2. Faint traces of die rust appear on NUM of UNUM. The other peripheral devices appear to have been polished to remove rust, leaving a beveled appearance to some, such as P, I, and S of PLURIBUS."

"Reverse:
1. Incomplete die polishing between the leaf clusters and behind the eagle's head.
2. Spot of die rust between the first tail feather and the second leaf below.
3. Lump of die rust at the juncture of the middle arrow shaft and arrowhead.
4. Spur of metal below the juncture of the right (facing) wing and leg.
5. Faint evidence of die rust on the letters in STATES."

The 1879-O is unique among branch mint proof dollars in that it was struck from dies not listed in VAM and not used on regular production coins. This piece is mostly brilliant, with slight hints of champagne-gold and lavender toning. The deeply mirrored fields are indistinguishable from a regular Philadelphia proof of this year. The devices are nicely frosted and provide a noticeable contrast against the deep reflectivity in the fields. Eye appeal is outstanding. This coin should find a home in the finest collection or Registry Set.

Roster of 1879-O Branch Mint Proof Morgan Dollars
1. PR66 ★ Ultra Cameo NGC. Leo Young; Auction '80 (RARCOA, 8/1980), lot 1743; Wayne Miller; Carmichael-Miller Collections (Superior, 1/1986), lot 1370; Dr. Jack Adams Collection (Superior, 5/1992), lot 2226; Chicago ANA (Stack's Bowers, 8/2011), lot 7434, realized $158,125.
2. PR64BM PCGS, formerly PR64 Cameo NGC. Central States Auction (RARCOA, 5/1973), lot 302; Auction '79 (RARCOA, 7/79), lot 1046; Wayne Miller; Bruce Amspacher; Fred Sweeney; Anita Maxwell Trust of Silver Dollars; ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/95), lot 7502; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2002), lot 4287; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 9/2002), lot 7654. The present coin.
3. PR64 PCGS. McDermott Collection; private collector; Michael Brownlee; Alan Brotman; Sale of the 70's (Kagin's, 11/1973), lot 1342; Robert W. Barker; Julian Leidman; Wayne Miller in 1980; Baltimore Auction (Bowers and Merena, 3/2010), lot 3104, realized $184,000.
4. Proof, uncertified. A piece in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.
From The Greensboro Collection, Part IV.(Registry values: P8)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 27Z3, PCGS# 7345, Greysheet# 7883)

Weight: 26.73 grams

Metal: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

View all of [The Greensboro Collection, Part IV ]

View Certification Details from PCGS