1888 Morgan Silver Dollar — Bill Pickett — American West — Original Presentation Card & Stamp
Step into the history of the American West with this 1888 Morgan Silver Dollar presented with the story of Bill Pickett, one of the most accomplished and influential African American cowboys and rodeo performers of the American frontier.
This collectible combines an authentic 19th-century Morgan Silver Dollar with an original American West presentation card, historical personality, and accompanying stamp. The coin remains preserved in its original presentation.
The Story of Bill Pickett
Bill Pickett (circa 1870–1932) became an internationally recognized cowboy and rodeo performer whose remarkable skills helped make him a legend of the American West.
Born in Texas to parents who had formerly been enslaved, Pickett learned ranching and cattle handling at an early age. He developed an extraordinary technique known as “bulldogging,” in which he would wrestle a steer to the ground. His daring performances made him famous throughout Texas and eventually across the United States and beyond.
Pickett's career was particularly remarkable because he continued to achieve fame despite the racial discrimination of his era. Some ranches and venues refused to allow him to perform because he was Black, yet his talent and determination eventually carried him onto major stages.
In 1905, Pickett joined the 101 Ranch Wild West Show, one of the great traveling Western shows of the era. When the show went on the road, Pickett performed before audiences around the country, including at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He also appeared in silent Western films, including The Bull-Dogger.
Bill Pickett died in 1932, but his legacy continued. He was posthumously inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1971, recognizing his lasting contribution to rodeo and Western culture.
The 1888 Morgan Silver Dollar
The Morgan dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and is one of America's most recognizable historic silver coins.
This 1888 Morgan dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint and therefore has no mint mark. The Philadelphia Mint produced 19,183,000 Morgan dollars in 1888. The coin is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper and weighs approximately 26.73 grams.
Coin: 1888 Morgan Silver Dollar
Mint: Philadelphia — No Mint Mark
Mintage: 19,183,000
Designer: George T. Morgan
Composition: 90% Silver / 10% Copper
Weight: Approximately 26.73 grams
Silver Content: Approximately 0.7734 troy ounce
Condition: Ungraded / Uncertified
Presentation: Original American West-themed presentation card and sleeve
Additional Collectible: Stamp mounted on the presentation card
A Morgan Dollar Paired With a Cowboy Legend
The pairing of an 1888 Morgan Silver Dollar with the story of Bill Pickett creates a fascinating connection to the era of the American frontier.
Pickett's greatest fame came after this coin was minted, but the 1888 Morgan represents the same broad period of American history in which the cattle industry, western settlement, ranching, and the emerging culture of the cowboy were transforming the country.
Unlike some famous fictional Western characters, Bill Pickett was a real person whose accomplishments were extraordinary. His story represents determination, skill, courage, and perseverance in an era when racial barriers made his achievements even more remarkable.
The Morgan dollar itself has no documented personal connection to Bill Pickett. Rather, the original presentation pairs the historic coin with his story as part of a collection celebrating the people and personalities of the American West.
Original Presentation Card & Stamp
The Morgan dollar remains in its original presentation card and sleeve, accompanied by the Bill Pickett historical material and stamp shown in the photographs.
Keeping the original presentation intact allows the collector to enjoy the complete historical display rather than simply owning the coin by itself.
Collector's Note
This Morgan dollar has not been professionally graded or encapsulated by a third-party grading service. It is offered as an unggraded/uncertified 1888 Morgan Silver Dollar in its original Western-themed presentation.
Please examine the photographs carefully. They show the actual coin, presentation card, sleeve, and stamp included with this collectible.
An especially interesting collectible for Morgan dollar collectors, rodeo enthusiasts, cowboy collectors, African American history enthusiasts, Western Americana collectors, and anyone fascinated by the real people who helped shape the American West.
