A “Top Shelf” DMPL Morgan Dollar
Prior to purchasing this 1881-O DMPL Morgan Dollar, I do a lot of homework. About every day I am looking for those elusive and rare DMPL Morgan Dollars which has a great look and the population numbers are low. I take my time, I am patient for the most part. I know these DMPL Morgan Dollars will sell at a major Coin Show. I pass on a lot of Morgan Dollars if they seem a bit off to me. This latest DMPL Morgan Dollar purchase was a no brainer. It’s an 1881-O DMPL Morgan Dollar graded by PCGS, and was given a grade of MS64 with Deep Mirror Proof-Like (DMPL) qualities.
1881-O DMPL Morgan Dollars have a low population and grades
When I looked this Morgan Dollar over, I was surprised to see the cheek actually looked pretty decent for a MS64. The Cameo contrast looks pretty appealing as well. The reason I bought this Morgan Dollar was the low population and seeing the top population was only a MS65. In my opinion, that means that this 1881-O DMPL Morgan would be a very low population and a relatively rare piece.
Why this Morgan Dollar deserves to be on the “Top Shelf”
- For the 1881-O Morgan Dollar there were a total of 1,962 graded as DMPL.
- Only 528 of those DMPL Morgan Dollars that were graded MS64.
- There are only 99 known to exist that are graded higher.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of collecting DMPL Morgan Dollars that are extremely low in population numbers. Occasionally, I may pay just a little more over the book value of a rare, low population DMPL Morgan Dollar just so the sale will register to include the increase in price.
As you will see below, I typically go to the top three grading services and pull down the current population numbers for the coin I am researching. To have potential for me to consider it for a “Top Shelf” Morgan Dollar, it has to show indicators that the DMPL or even PL Morgan has potential to show an increase in value over time. I wrote the Coin Dealer Newsletter staff about this particular Morgan Dollar expressing concern that it’s rarity was overlooked. The response I received was simple, these type of Morgan Dollars are not recognized as rare in the market.
In my opinion, it is only a matter of time that these Morgan Dollars prices will be “adjusted” due to a rarity. This 1881-O does not have very many examples over MS65. I am going to research this against the 1897-O and find out which one is more rare. I understand it takes a lot to make a coin popular amongst collectors, but I believe it is also very beneficial to make the collector aware that the coin has a lower population than other, potentially a popular Morgan Dollar with a higher population.
Population Numbers for the 1881-O DMPL Morgan Dollar:
PCGS Population Numbers
- Total 1881-O Morgan Dollars graded DMPL: 1136
- Total 1881-O Morgan Dollars graded MS64 DMPL: 370
- 1881-O Morgan Dollars graded in a higher DMPL: 93
- PCGS Pop numbers: Morgan Dollar – PCGS Population Report
NGC Population Numbers
- Total 1881-O Morgan Dollars graded DMPL:607
- Total 1881-O Morgan Dollars graded MS64 DMPL: 124
- 1881-O Morgan Dollars graded in a higher DMPL: 5
- NGC Pop numbers: Morgan Dollars (1878-1921) | Coin Census Population Report | NGC (ngccoin.com)
ANACS Population Numbers
- Total 1881-O Morgan Dollars graded DMPL: 219
- Total 1881-O Morgan Dollars graded MS64 DMPL: 34
- 1881-O Morgan Dollars graded in a higher DMPL: 1
- ANACS login required for Pop numbers: Sign In (anacs.com)
A direct Link to this beautiful 1881-O Morgan Dollar DMPL
A Link to this beautiful 1881-O Morgan Dollar DMPL
https://thecoinstore.org/?product=1881-o-morgan-dollar-dmpl-42582923
This coin will join the other “Top Shelf” Morgan Dollars here : https://thecoinstore.org/?product_cat=top-shelf-coins
