A legendary rarity has surfaced, and collectors are paying attention.
One of the greatest U.S. coin errors ever discovered, the 1887 Morgan Silver Dollar double struck 25% off-center, has made its first auction appearance at GreatCollections.
Even more impressive, this extraordinary piece comes directly from the personal collection of famed error specialist Fred Weinberg, where it remained for nearly half a century.
One of the Greatest U.S. Coin Errors Known
This coin is not just rare. It is elite.
The 1887 Morgan Dollar ranks No. 6 in the book 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins. That makes it the highest-ranked Morgan Dollar error on the list.
Experts agree on its importance. Weinberg himself handled many of the greatest U.S. errors during his career. Yet he singled this coin out.
He described it as one of the very best he had ever seen. He even kept it in his personal collection for almost 50 years. That says everything.
A Dramatic Double Strike Unlike Any Other
This coin stands apart for one reason: visual impact.
Most double struck Morgan Dollars show only minor evidence of the second strike. Often, collectors see just a faint nub near the rim…… Not here.
This example features a bold second strike that sits 25% off-center. The result is dramatic.
Liberty appears clearly doubled on the obverse, and the eagle shows strong duplication on the reverse
The effect is immediate. It grabs attention. And it does not let go.
Weinberg called it “simply stunning.” He also stated that this is the best double strike Morgan Dollar known.
Why This Error Is So Rare
Large silver coins rarely escape the Mint with major errors.
The U.S. Mint historically maintained strict quality control. That matters even more for larger, precious metal coins like the Morgan Dollar.
As a result, dramatic errors of this scale almost never survive.
That explains the coin’s extreme rarity. It also explains why so few comparable pieces exist. Only a handful of off-center double strikes are known for the series, and none match this level of visual drama.
Certified and Pedigreed to the Weinberg Collection
Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) certified the coin as:
- Mint Error MS-61 – Double Struck
The certification confirms both authenticity and condition. In addition, the coin carries the prestigious Weinberg pedigree, which further strengthens its appeal.
Collectors value provenance. And this provenance is exceptional.
A Coin Hidden for Decades
The story behind this piece adds even more intrigue.
Weinberg acquired the coin in the late 1970s at an ANA convention. He immediately recognized its importance.
In his own words, he was stunned. He recalled thinking “wow” the moment he saw it.
Then he made a decision. He kept it.
For decades, the coin remained off the market. It quietly sat in one of the most respected error collections in the hobby………Until now!
First Public Offering Sparks Strong Bidding
This sale marks the first time the coin has ever appeared at public auction.
That milestone alone creates excitement. However, the early bidding confirms it.
More than a month before the April 19 closing date, bidding had already reached $39,000, and momentum continues to build.
Collectors understand what this coin represents. It is not just another error. It is a trophy-level piece.
The Ultimate Centerpiece for a Collection
Weinberg made a bold statement about this coin’s future.
He said whoever acquires it will own the key coin of their collection.
That claim carries weight. After all, few collectors will ever have the chance to own a top-10 U.S. error coin, especially one with this level of eye appeal.
Simply put, this is a centerpiece coin.
Final Thoughts
This 1887 Morgan Dollar error checks every box.
It offers rarity. It delivers visual drama. And it comes with elite pedigree.
Most importantly, it appears at auction for the first time. That moment matters.
Opportunities like this do not repeat often. Advanced collectors know it. And the market is responding.
That’s gotta be the craziest error I’ve even seen on a Morgan. I love it!
Wow that is distinct
Coin seems off a tad! Can’t quite figure it out.. Awesome coin for sure, any mint error that can be seen without a scope is awesome.
Could you imagine just thumbing through a pile of coins and get slapped in the face with this beauty?! Amazing.
It’d be awesome to come across this in a bargin bin
That’s pretty cool
What a crazy error. No doubt it’ll go for quite a bit.
Amazing error coin
There must be elements of the date buried in cobbled design. Or are there die markers which identify it as 1887? How was it determined to have a date assignment?
I never knew this existed and I have been collecting Morgans for 47 years. Amazing.
One of the best error coins that I have looked at.
Great story. Wonderful weird coin.
Would so love to see this in person!
Absolutely stunning!
Sweet
QA was yawning when that one came by. Huge error.
Very odd error on it.
Nice!
I had never heard of it.
This is a coin I would love to see for myself.
It’s so ugly it’s beautiful.
To see an error of this magnitude is simply stunning! Beautiful coin. What a great find. It makes one search through their pocket change with a little more enthusiasm.
Such a dramatic-looking Morgan dollar error !
Wow! That’s the most awesome coin I have ever seen!