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The Certified Morgan Silver Dollar 1879-O MS63 PCGS with toning is a historically rich and visually captivating coin, combining the allure of a New Orleans Mint issue with the vibrant character of natural color development. As one of the earliest Morgan Dollars struck at the New Orleans facility, the 1879-O holds an important place in the series and represents the revitalization of coinage at a Southern mint following the disruptions of the Civil War. Graded Mint State 63 by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), this specimen exhibits full uncirculated status with moderate contact marks and significant eye appeal, enhanced by naturally occurring toning that adds depth and uniqueness to its surfaces.
The Morgan Dollar series began in 1878, the result of the Bland-Allison Act, which mandated that the U.S. Treasury purchase large quantities of silver for coinage, primarily to aid silver mining interests in the American West. The design was entrusted to George T. Morgan, an English-born engraver working under William Barber at the U.S. Mint. Morgan’s design emphasized American themes and ideals, featuring a Liberty figure modeled after American schoolteacher Anna Willess Williams on the obverse, and a stately eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse. The series was produced from 1878 to 1904 and once more in 1921, becoming one of the most widely collected and admired in all of American numismatics.
The 1879-O Morgan Dollar marks the first year of Morgan Dollar production at the New Orleans Mint after its reopening under federal control post-Reconstruction. The New Orleans Mint had struck coins from 1838 until the start of the Civil War, during which it was seized by Confederate forces and subsequently shut down for many years. Its reopening in 1879 and issuance of Morgan Dollars symbolized both Southern reintegration and the expansion of silver coinage capacity. The 1879-O is therefore a historically significant issue, linking antebellum mint operations with the industrializing, post-war American economy.
On the obverse, Liberty is depicted facing left, adorned with a Phrygian cap, a crown of agricultural crops—wheat and cotton—and flowing hair. The word “LIBERTY” is inscribed on her coronet, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above and the date “1879” below. Thirteen stars surround the border, representing the original colonies. In Mint State 63, this coin shows full luster and strike with moderate but unobtrusive abrasions typical for the grade. When accented by toning, the fields may exhibit shades of rose, gold, blue, or violet, creating a visual contrast that enhances the appeal of Liberty’s refined features and the coin’s overall aesthetic.
The reverse features a classic American bald eagle clutching an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, with a laurel wreath curving beneath. The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “ONE DOLLAR” circle the periphery. A small “O” mintmark is located just beneath the wreath, indicating its origin from the New Orleans Mint. On toned examples, the fields surrounding the eagle often take on iridescent color patterns, which may follow crescent arcs or bulls-eye formations depending on the coin’s placement during long-term storage in mint bags. These colorful highlights draw attention to the fine details of the eagle’s wings and the feathered texture of the reverse.
With a mintage of 2,887,000, the 1879-O Morgan is a scarcer date among early issues and considerably tougher in Mint State than its Philadelphia or San Francisco counterparts of the same year. Many were poorly struck or suffered from less meticulous quality control, contributing to the coin’s relative scarcity in higher grades. A large portion of the mintage entered circulation and experienced wear, further reducing the population of uncirculated survivors. PCGS has graded a modest number of 1879-O Morgans at MS63, and toned examples in certified holders are even less common, increasing collector interest in visually distinguished coins like this one.
The MS63 grade assigned by PCGS indicates a coin that retains full mint luster and has no evidence of circulation, though it will show numerous small to moderate contact marks or hairlines, typically in the fields or on high points. Despite this, coins at the MS63 level are admired for their overall eye appeal and strong value-to-rarity ratio. Toning on such pieces is especially prized by collectors who value originality and uniqueness, since toned coins develop their character over decades of exposure to air and sulfur-laced storage environments, often inside cloth bags or old coin albums.
Each toned Morgan Dollar is a one-of-a-kind piece. The toning on this 1879-O example may range from subtle golden patina to vivid rainbow hues, depending on its storage history. Crescent-shaped toning often results from partial obstruction by another coin in a stack, creating a “smile” of color that fans across the surface. When this occurs on the obverse, Liberty’s profile is beautifully framed, while reverse toning enhances the eagle’s wings and wreath. Collectors frequently pay premiums for attractively toned coins with even, vibrant coloration that adds visual intrigue without obscuring detail.
The New Orleans Mint had a reputation for weaker strikes during its operational years, and 1879-O is no exception. Many examples show incomplete feather definition and soft hair detail, but coins graded MS63 and above usually exhibit at least moderate central sharpness and strong peripheral luster. The challenge of finding well-struck and naturally toned examples from this mint contributes to their desirability, especially for collectors assembling mint-marked sets or focusing on the history of Southern coin production.
The PCGS certification guarantees authenticity and confirms the coin’s grade, ensuring confidence in the market. The clear, tamper-resistant holder preserves the coin’s current condition and allows for long-term storage and safe handling. For toned coins, certification also confirms that the toning is stable and natural, not the result of artificial treatments, which can detract from both value and collector trust. When housed in a PCGS slab with visible toning, the coin becomes not only a numismatic artifact but also a miniature work of art.
The Certified Morgan Silver Dollar 1879-O MS63 PCGS with toning is a wonderful convergence of American history, Southern mint legacy, and unique visual character. It bridges post-Civil War economic development with the golden age of American silver coinage and offers collectors a distinct and historically meaningful addition to their collections. As an early and eye-appealing example from the storied New Orleans Mint, this coin stands out among Morgan Dollars and continues to captivate both novice and seasoned collectors alike.