1878 $1 J-1550a PR(PCGS#61911)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3181

Grade

PR63+

Price

15,600

Lot Description

<strong>Obv:</strong> Virtually identical to the design that the Mint adopted for regular issue Morgan dollar production in 1878. The point of the neck truncation is closer to star 1 than to digit 1 in the date, the wheat leaf at the top of Liberty's cap is below the left edge of the letter R in PLURIBUS, and the designer's initial M is raised on Liberty's neck instead of incuse. <strong>Rev:</strong> Similar to the adopted design, although there are only three leaves on the branch in the eagle's talon and the wing attachments to the eagle's torso are "fan shaped" instead of notched. This is a wonderfully original specimen with the eye appeal of at least a Choice Proof grade. Warmly toned in a blend of olive-copper, pewter gray and cobalt blue, both sides also reveal vivid undertones of gold, pink, red and blue colors as the surfaces dip into direct lighting. The strike is sharply executed, as expected, and what few handling marks are present to confirm the Proof-63+ grade are faint and well concealed by the toning.<p>This is a perennially popular type that enjoys equally strong demand among advanced Morgan dollar collectors and dedicated pattern enthusiasts. The first prototype of what would eventually become George T. Morgan's famous silver dollar feature only three leaves on the reverse branch and "fanshaped" wing attachments for the eagle. According to Roger Burdette (as related on the <em>uspatterns.com</em> website), the Mint struck at least 50 silver impressions of both this type (Judd-1550a) and its notched-wing counterpart (Judd-1550) between December 1, 1877 and January 2, 1878. Copper examples were also produced, an example of which is being offered in the following lot.