STEP INTO 1887: A SILVER DOLLAR AND FRONTIER NIGHT

Picture Tombstone, 1887. A trail-worn cowboy places a bright silver dollar on the bar for whiskey, a hot meal, and a bed. That same date and design—struck in Philadelphia—connects you to the closing chapter of the American frontier. This is real U.S. money from the Wild West era, not a replica or commemorative.

137-Year-Old Morgan Silver Dollars Represent Just 3.09% of All Morgans Ever Struck

THE SURVIVAL STORY: FROM VAULTS TO MELTING POTS

Between 1878 and 1921, the United States struck hundreds of millions of Morgan Silver Dollars. In 1918, the Pittman Act sent more than 259 million to the furnaces, with additional melts in 1933—leaving as few as 15% of all Morgans surviving today in any condition.


Within that larger saga, the 1887-P mintage of 20,290,000 accounts for just 3.09% of all Morgans ever produced—making each surviving example a scarce relic of the silver age.

STUCK AT AMERICA'S "MOTHER MINT"

Every coin was produced at the historic Philadelphia Mint, the nation’s oldest minting facility established in 1792. Philadelphia’s role as the Mother Mint anchors this date to the earliest heritage of U.S. coinage.


The 1887-P issue is also noted for outstanding surface preservation among Morgan dates—one of the factors graders evaluate when determining eye appeal.

DESIGN THAT DEFINES AN ERA

Morgans span 1878–1904 and again in 1921; the 1887 date sits at the heart of the series and the frontier narrative.

The Reverse

An American eagle with outstretched wings, clutching an olive branch and three arrows beneath IN GOD WE TRUST—classic symbols of peace and readiness.

The Obverse

Lady Liberty wearing the Phrygian cap of freedom, crowned with cotton and wheat.

WHAT MS63 MEANS (AND WHY IT MATTERS)

Each coin is certified Mint State-63 by NGC or PCGS—our choice—meaning uncirculated preservation with original mint luster and no wear, plus only light contact from storage. It’s a grade that balances museum-level detail with accessibility.


Context matters: 1887 is also the year Doc Holliday died, placing this coin squarely in the era that shaped the Old West in American memory.

EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER PRICING

Regular Retail Price: $149 per coin

Your Subscriber-Only Pricing:
$129 ea.

Save $20 per coin

Household Limit: Maximum 5 coins per household

Bonus Pack Included

Over $50 Value

• Declaration of Independence 8½" x 11" commemorative
• 1934 $100,000 Gold Certificate commemorative print
• 1957 $1 Silver Certificate Note (VF)
• 1 oz Morgan Copper Bar
• Morgan Silver Dollar booklet

Specifications

Country: United States

Mint: Philadelphia (P)

Date: 1887

Denomination: $1 


Metal: 90% silver

Weight: 26.73 grams

Diameter: 38.1 mm 


Design: Lady Liberty (obverse) / Eagle (reverse) 


Grade: MS63, certified by NGC or PCGS (our choice)

What You Receive:

• Date and mint: 1887-P, Philadelphia (the Mother Mint).
• Mintage perspective: 20,290,000 struck; represents 3.09% of all Morgans ever minted.
• Survival perspective: only about 15% of all Morgans are estimated to exist today across all conditions.

Quality Assurance:

• Composition and size: 90% silver; 26.73 grams; 38.1 mm diameter.
• Known for notable surface preservation among Morgan issues.
• Timely heritage as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026.

EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIBER PRICING

Regular Retail Price: $149 per coin

Your Subscriber-Only Pricing:
$129 ea.

Save $20 per coin

Household Limit: Maximum 5 coins per household

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY EXPLAINED

Ultra High Relief Process Standard coins use relief heights of 0.5mm or less. Ultra High Relief extends this to 1.4mm through specialized dies and multiple high-pressure strikes, creating three-dimensional sculptural effects.

Selective Rose Gold Plating Precision masking allows rose gold application to specific design areas only. The process bonds gold to silver at the molecular level, ensuring permanent adhesion and color stability.

Pulsating Forest Field Technology Microscopic engraving patterns, each measured in fractions of millimeters, cover designated field areas. These patterns interact with light sources to create movement illusions and depth effects.

Reverse Proof Technique Standard proof coins feature mirror-like fields with frosted raised elements. Reverse proofs invert this relationship—frosted fields with polished raised elements—creating enhanced contrast and visual impact.

THE SCARCITY FACTOR

The Royal Canadian Mint produced 8,500 total pieces—a fraction of typical Silver Maple Leaf production numbers. However, the complexity of the manufacturing process meant only a small percentage achieved perfect condition.

Of the 8,500 coins produced, exactly 1,455 received NGC PF70 grading—representing just 17% of total production.

THE MATHEMATICS OF SCARCITY:

• Total Production: 8,500 coins
• Perfect NGC PF70 Examples: 1,455 coins
• Success Rate: 17%
• Population per North American collector: Approximately 1 coin per 260,000 people

ROYAL CANADIAN MINT HERITAGE

Established in 1908, the Royal Canadian Mint operates from facilities in Ottawa and Winnipeg, producing circulation coins for Canada and numerous other countries. The Silver Maple Leaf program launched in 1988 with 99.99% purity—then the world's highest standard for silver bullion coins.

Walter Ott's maple leaf design became an instant classic, symbolizing both Canadian national identity and the mint's commitment to precious metal purity. Susan Taylor's 2025 resculpting honors the original design while demonstrating current minting capabilities.