1880 Morgan Dollar - 8/7 Overdate

Coin Details

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Description

This is the 8/7 overdate variety of the 1880 Morgan Dollar. Dies were expensive, and a serviceable die left over at the end of a year was often kept and re-dated rather than destroyed: the new digits were punched directly over the old ones. The earlier date survives underneath wherever its strokes fall outside the digits punched over it, which is why an overdate is read from the shapes that do not belong to the date as printed. The effect is in the die, so every coin struck from it carries the same remnant in the same position. The 1880 Morgan Dollar - 8/7 Overdate is a dollar from the Philadelphia Mint, belonging to the Morgan Dollars 1878-1921 series. The obverse features Liberty facing left wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with wheat and cotton, encircled by stars and the reverse displays an eagle with outstretched wings clutching an olive branch and arrows, surrounded by a wreath. Struck during the Gilded Age of rapid industrialization and the great silver debates, when monetary policy shaped elections and economic destiny. The Philadelphia Mint, America's oldest coin-making facility, has struck coins continuously since 1792. Estimated market value ranges from $150 to $5.5K depending on grade and condition. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams, 38.1 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #41097.