This date in the Morgan silver dollar series from the San Francisco Mint is known for the stunning specimens that have been passed down to collectors in the 21st century. The MS-67 piece offered here gives credence to that claim. It is in a word, breathtaking. The surfaces on both sides are radiant and silvery white. The strike is flawless, with every detail appearing as if a master sculptor used his skills to the highest degree possible. Are there any contact marks? Yes, because after all, the coin is three points away from perfection. But Ms. Liberty’s cheek looks like it has never been touched, and the small number of trivial ticks in the fields are insignificant.

Not only does this coin display splendor, it also boasts of having semi-prooflike fields, which contrast beautifully with the borax-white raised devices. It’s not a rare date, but this example offers rare quality.