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New Orleans: the O mint mark
O is New Orleans. The mint ran, stopped for the Civil War, then ran again. An O on a Morgan or a gold piece is a mint mark, not a mint error.
O is New Orleans. The branch mint opened in 1838. It struck gold and silver for the South’s trade. The Confederacy seized it in 1861. A few 1861-O half dollars are a specialist topic. Federal coinage there stops, then returns in 1879, then ends for good in 1909.
On a Morgan the O sits under the wreath, same neighborhood as CC. Where is the mint mark?.
What O usually means in a shop
Many New Orleans Morgans are common. 1881-O, 1882-O, 1883-O, 1884-O, 1885-O — these are type dollars, not keys. Some O dates are better. The mark itself is not a prize.
Gold O-mints ($1, $2.50, $5, $10, $20) are a different bookshelf. Soft strikes are common. That is the mint, not damage. US gold types. Sheldon.
What it is not
It is not “zero mint.” It is not a mint error. A weak O on a worn coin is wear. Circulated grades.
Bring it. We will read the date first, then the letter.
Continue in the coin and money library. Related visitor guides: for shop visitors.