1882 Morgan Dollar

The 1882 Morgan Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1882 and is part of the Morgan Dollar series.

Specifications

 * Designer: George T. Morgan
 * Obverse Design: Lady Liberty
 * Reverse Design: Eagle holding arrows and olive branch
 * Edge: Reeded
 * Weight: 26.73 grams
 * Diameter: 38.1 millimeters
 * Composition: Silver (90%), Copper (10%)
 * Mintage: Circulation Strikes: est. 11,100,000
 * Proof Mintage: est. 1,100

Background
By this time, the Philadelphia Mint is striking better coins than previously. Examples by 1882 are generally well-struck and lustrous though slightly weak examples do exist.

Collecting
With a strong mintage of 11-plus million the 1882 Morgan Dollar is well-supplied and accessible to MS-64. As with previous years, the Philadelphia Mint continued to produce a large volume of coins. And quality varies! Watch for detail around the hair of Miss Liberty and detail in the eagle's feathers. Many coins are heavily bagmarked. Take your time selecting an 1882 Morgan as the marketplace is well-supplied.

Prooflike coins are hard to find but worth the search. These coins are prized by collectors and one should spend some time adding one to their collection.

Historical Background in 1882
On February 3rd, 1882, P. T. Barnum purchases the elephant Jumbo. Phineas Taylor Barnum (July 5, 1810 – April 7, 1891) was an American showman, businessman, scam artist and entertainer, remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the circus that became the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

On March 2, 1882, Roderick Maclean fails to assassinate Queen Victoria. Roderick McLean (died June 9, 1921) attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria of The United Kingdom on March 2, 1882 at Windsor with a pistol. This was the last of eight attempts over a period of forty years to kill or assault Victoria. McLean's motive was purportedly a curt reply to poetry of his mailed to the Queen.

On May 20, 1882, the Triple Alliance is formed between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. The Triple Alliance was the military alliance between Germany, Austria–Hungary, and Italy, (as opposing the Triple Entente which consisted of an alliance between Britain, France and Russia), that lasted from 1882 until the start of World War I in 1914.

Die Varieties
58 obverse and 60 reverse dies were used for 1882 Morgan Dollar.