Morgan Silver Dollar Value
Morgan Dollar Price Guide Last Update: 02-06 07:11 AM EST Silver $26.96 ( +0.60 ) as of 02-05 04:59 PM EST. The Morgan Dollar stands out as one of the oldest official currencies of the United States, with each coin being comprised of 90% silver and a face value of $1 USD. For these reasons, the Silver Morgan Dollar coins maintain a high degree of popularity across silver coin collectors, particularly those with a focus on the 90% silver coins. The 'Morgan' design silver dollars was minted from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921. The coins' are called by the name of the designer - George Morgan. The obverse features a profile of a woman crowned with Liberty and the reverse displays an eagle with wings spread. Perhaps the best thing about these Morgan silver dollar coins is their price.
- These common Morgan silver dollars are usually worth between $25 to $50 in typical circulated grades. However, there are certain dates of Morgan silver dollars that you will want to look for: “CC” is the mintmark for Carson City, Nevada. 1878-CC $100 to $390 in Good-4 thorough Mint State-63.
- Morgan Dollar (1878-1921) Melt Value: $20.90 Last Updated: 2/6/2021 7:16 AM EST This page shows trends for Morgan Dollar melt values. A coin's numismatic value may be higher than its melt value. See pricing for U.S. Silver Coins in the NGC US Coin Price Guide. Coin Specifications.
Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 Silver $26.90
Popular and always in demand, minimum Morgan silver dollar values begin at $24.55 for a heavily worn example. Many date and mintmark combination are worth well above minimum value. A step by step approach identities key dates, mintmarks, and helps judge collector quality condition.
Steps Leading to Value:
- Step 1: Date and Mintmark Variety - Many dates are common, many are scarce to rare, mintmarks are also identified.
- Step 2: Grading Condition - Higher value follows higher condition. Images, video, and descriptions help narrow grade range.
- Step 3: Special Qualities - Collector quality is highly prized. Separate coins trading at silver value from higher demand examples.
Collected today by date and mintmark, collectors form sets including each year and mint. Each combination is valued separately because of availability, many are highly valued. Further judgement of condition and surface preservation is needed to narrow how much a Morgan silver dollar is worth. Step 1 follows the value chart.
Morgan Silver Dollar Values 1878 to 1921 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Condition of Coin | ||||
Date | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Mint State |
Morgan Silver Dollar Values | 2/8/2021 | |||
1878 8TF | $34.96 | $39.67 | $42.58 | $166 |
1878 7/8TF | $32.95 | $34.96 | $39.67 | $148 |
1878 7TF | $28.24 | $34.96 | $37.09 | $73.19 |
1878 CC | $67 | $98 | $118 | $272 |
1878 S | $28.24 | $29.58 | $37.09 | $66.53 |
1879 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $56.13 |
1879 CC | $95 | $148 | $878 | $3,482 |
1879 O | $28.24 | $29.58 | $34.96 | $89.84 |
1879 S | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $53.08 |
1880 | $25.44 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $56.13 |
1880 CC | $98 | $129 | $185 | $333 |
1880 O | $27.01 | $28.24 | $31.15 | $89.84 |
1880 S | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1881 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $53.08 |
1881 CC | $194 | $232 | $261 | $330 |
1881 O | $27.01 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $51.74 |
1881 S | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1882 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $53.08 |
1882 CC | $67 | $71 | $115 | $153 |
1882 O | $27.01 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $53.08 |
1882 S | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $53.08 |
1883 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1883 CC | $62 | $73 | $94 | $154 |
1883 O | $27.01 | $28.24 | $31.15 | $51.74 |
1883 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $39.67 | $732 |
1884 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1884 CC | $60 | $76 | $103 | $159 |
1884 O | $27.01 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $51.74 |
1884 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $51.10 | Rare |
1885 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1885 CC | $322 | $348 | $395 | $408 |
1885 O | $27.01 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $51.74 |
1885 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $51.10 | $179 |
1886 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1886 O | $27.01 | $28.24 | $39.67 | $691 |
1886 S | $37.09 | $51.10 | $76 | $227 |
1887 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1887 O | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $73.19 |
1887 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $34.96 | $96 |
1888 | $25.44 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $53.08 |
1888 O | $27.01 | $28.24 | $29.58 | $56.13 |
1888 S | $45 | $57 | $87 | $202 |
1889 | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $51.74 |
1889 CC | $346 | $494 | $1,925 | Rare |
1889 O | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $168 |
1889 S | $34.96 | $51.10 | $53 | $159 |
1890 | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $53.08 |
1890 CC | $61 | $76 | $99 | $351 |
1890 O | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $79.27 |
1890 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $66.53 |
1891 | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $66.53 |
1891 CC | $66 | $90 | $136 | $415 |
1891 O | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $144 |
1891 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $73.19 |
1892 | $31.15 | $32.95 | $42.58 | $216 |
1892 CC | $98 | $129 | $293 | $1,117 |
1892 O | $25.44 | $31.15 | $37.09 | $203 |
1892 S | $29.58 | $37.09 | $150 | Rare |
1893 | $114 | $127 | $259 | $762 |
1893 CC | $154 | $262 | $821 | $3,238 |
1893 O | $121 | $168 | $353 | $2,687 |
1893 S | $1,612 | $2,610 | $5,220 | Rare |
1894 | $372 | $460 | $584 | $2,053 |
1894 O | $34.96 | $42.58 | $68 | $1,236 |
1894 S | $39.67 | $51.10 | $154 | $595 |
1895 O | $127 | $157 | $372 | Rare |
1895 S | $139 | $282 | $662 | $3,027 |
1896 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1896 O | $31.15 | $32.95 | $39.67 | $1,034 |
1896 S | $31.15 | $32.95 | $190 | $1,831 |
1897 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1897 O | $25.44 | $29.58 | $39.67 | $692 |
1897 S | $25.44 | $29.58 | $32.95 | $66.53 |
1898 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1898 O | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1898 S | $28.24 | $32.95 | $42.58 | $214 |
1899 | $40 | $81 | $82 | $159 |
1899 O | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1899 S | $31.15 | $32.95 | $51.10 | $297 |
1900 | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1900 O | $25.44 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $51.74 |
1900 S | $28.24 | $32.95 | $42.58 | $183 |
1901 | $28.24 | $34.96 | $62 | $2,660 |
1901 O | $27.01 | $28.24 | $29.58 | $51.74 |
1901 S | $29.58 | $32.95 | $51.10 | $376 |
1902 | $27.01 | $31.15 | $37.09 | $56.13 |
1902 O | $27.01 | $27.01 | $29.58 | $53.08 |
1902 S | $51.10 | $70 | $125 | $228 |
1903 | $32.95 | $37.09 | $39.67 | $73.19 |
1903 O | $241 | $277 | $292 | $310 |
1903 S | $51.10 | $82 | $211 | $4,178 |
1904 | $28.24 | $31.15 | $37.09 | $89.84 |
1904 O | $27.01 | $31.15 | $34.96 | $53.08 |
1904 S | $31.15 | $37.09 | $241 | $2,671 |
1921 | $24.55 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $45.19 |
1921 D | $24.55 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $49.49 |
1921 S | $24.55 | $25.44 | $28.24 | $49.49 |
The above are wholesale Morgan Silver Dollar Values. Computed from dealer's price lists with various mark-up factors figured in. They reflect closely the value you would expect to receive when selling.
Variations in value do occur subject to subtle grading points, collector demands and dealer needs.
Although these are wholesale Morgan silver dollar values, realize your coins are very popular and in strong demand.
Step 1: Date and Mintmark Variety are Identified
One of the features of the Morgan dollar is the fine detail throughout the design. Liberty is adorned with a Liberty cap and band with 'Liberty' inscribed. Above the band are wheat heads with easily recognizable grains and leaves. Cotton bolls and cotton leaves within the design, are also well detailed. A standing eagle on the reverse with wings upright is a strong symbol of national pride and National bird. A preference for peace is represented by an olive branch and ability to defend is noted by the eagle holding three arrows.
Mints and Mintmarks of the Morgan Silver Dollar Series
Morgan silver dollars enjoy a large following of collectors. Sets of the coins typically include each date and mintmark variety. Five mints were involved in production of the series over the years 1878 to 1921. Each mint variety is valued by demand on supplies and condition of the coin. Mintmarks were used by the branch mints to indicate their production, and are key to Morgan silver dollar values.
'CC' Mintmark: Carson City Mint Struck the Coin
Carson City Morgan dollars are both very popular with collectors and are the scarce mintmark variety. Minted in only 13 years of the series, the mint's total production was 13.8 million coins, lowest of all mints. Each Carson City dollar is a premium coin in all grades. Lowest coinage years 1881, 1885, and 1889 are very scarce. High condition examples are closely judged and graded.
Carson City mint used a 'CC' mintmark to identify its production. On the reverse under the bow tying the olive wreath a 'CC' mintmark is a Carson City silver dollar.
'S' Mintmark: San Francisco Mint Struck the Coin
San Francisco is the only mint that struck coins for circulation every year of the Morgan Dollar series. A complete date run of San Francisco variety dollars is a popular sub-collection. To complete the collection an 1893-S dollar is needed, the key high value coin to the series. 100,000 were minted, lowest mintage of any variety, all are highly sought.
San Francisco mint placed a small 'S' mintmark on coins. On the reverse, under the bow a 'S' mark confirms the San Francisco mint struck the coin.
'O' Mintmark: New Orleans Mint Struck the Coin
New Orleans mint was also a great contributor to the Morgan dollar series. Striking coins in all but two years, its coinage total was second of the mints. Striking millions of silver dollars most years, just over 186 million coins were produced. Two dates standout as very scarce and valuable, 1893 a low of 300,000 coins minted and 1895 another unusually low 450,000 coined. Both are avidly sought and demand on the limited numbers show in premium values on the chart.
An 'O' mintmark was used by the New Orleans mint on its coinage. This mintmark is found on the reverse, below the ribbon tying the wreath.
'D' Mintmark: Denver Mint Struck the Coin
The Denver mint was called upon to strike silver dollars in one year of the series, 1921. Carson City and New Orleans mints were both closed and Denver contributed over 20 million 1921 silver dollars. These coins represent a unique one-year only variety with a strong demand. With the large supply, values are affordable, placing the coin on want lists of most collectors.
Denver mint used a 'D' mintmark to indicate its production. On the reverse under the ribbon tying the wreath, look for the 'D' mintmark of the Denver mint.
No Mintmark: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin
Philadelphia struck just over 305 million Morgan silver dollars of the total 657 million struck from all mints combined. These huge numbers are reflected in affordable values on the chart for most dates. Most years Philadelphia struck multi-million silver dollars, many years, tens of millions of coins. 1893, 1894, and 1899 are the scare issues matching low mintage years. Philadelphia issues are judge carefully to recognize high grade examples that break away from bullion value to collector premium values.
Philadelphia continued the trend of no mintmark on its coinage with the Morgan silver dollar series. In the space below the ribbons tying the bow, and just above the 'DO' of 'Dollar', no mintmark confirms the Philadelphia mint struck the coin.
Step 2: Judging Condition Identify Grade Determine Value
These old dollars are inspected closely and evaluated for wear and overall condition. The process is known as 'Grading' a coin. The condition of a coin and the resulting grade have a large impact on Morgan silver dollar values.
Morgan Silver Dollar Values are Conditional
Compare your coins to the grading images below. Inspect both obverse and reverse to judge an overall condition. For the obverse; focus on the hair above the forehead, wear presents there first. On the reverse feather details wear quickly and are a key factor to grade.
A single light source such as a table/desk lamp is ideal to help cast a light brining out subtle details. Along with a magnifying glass to get in close and recognize finer details separating grades.
Mint State Grade: Morgan Silver Dollar
Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: Absence of wear to the surface defines the Mint State grade. Minting of coins imparts a luster to the surface and is what gives a Morgan dollar its shine. Rotating and tilting under a light causes the luster to move across the surface. Any breaks in luster - due to wear - causes a dullness to the surface.
Judge Liberty's cheek, a mint state coin is lustrous across all areas.
Just above her forehead, fine strands of hair are high in relief. These waves of hair remain fully covered in the fine texture imparted during the minting process. All parts of the hair remain without dulling to the high points.
Cotton leaves, blossoms, and wheat grains form a wreath above the hair and all fine edges of the design are without any signs of smoothing due to wear.
Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: Delicate areas are inspected to identify absence of wear. Many small high relief points are part of the design of the eagle and leaves in the wreath, all are inspected.
Feathers on the Eagle's neck are centrally located, prone to first wear. Look close to confirm original mint luster and texture remains.
Tips of both wings on a mint state coin are rounded in profile with no flat spots, especially towards the ends.
Leaves in the wreath have fine edges and small contoured designs, forming high and low areas. All parts of the leaves are without any dulling and smooth spots.
Extremely Fine Grade: Morgan Silver Dollar
Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Wear has begun to smooth and flatten the very tops of design details. Most luster is gone.
Hair above Liberty's forehead is showing a few flat areas. Along the tops of the waves are areas where the fine lines have merged. Waves remain with a high profile.
Just in front of the ear, hair is raised and separated form cheek.
Cotton leaves are smooth along the edges but are well defined from the cap.
Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Light wear is causing small disconnected flat areas over the feathers and leaves.
Neck feathers are will defined. Flatness is on tops of feathers and little evidence of merging is noted.
Wing feathers are slightly flattened on upper edges only. Each feather is bold and separated form the next. View along the top edge of wings, feather detail show.
All leaves of the wreath are bold with central line detail. No merging of individual leaves, wear is confined to just upper edges.
Fine Grade: Morgan Silver Dollar
Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Flat areas are beginning to dominate the surface of a Morgan dollar in Fine grade.
Above Liberty's forehead many of the waves of hair are flat with only a few fine inner lines remaining. Hair directly above eye is well raised and separate of forehead.
Her ear is still bold in detail, however just above is a large flat area. Flatness continues towards the temple with hair blending with the cheek and temple.
Outlines of the two cotton blossoms and all leaves remain. Very faint but visible are the two lower cotton leaves.
Morgan Silver Dollar Value By Year
Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: A bold eagle remains on the reverse with most of the feather detail still clear.
Neck feathers are now smooth in the center from head to chest. Legs of the eagle are also smooth with only slight details to sides of legs.
Wing feathers are complete over most of both wings. Some blending of feather lines is seen on the left wing, confined towards the top.
Leaves of the wreath are well detailed, merging of edges is minimal. Lower leaves within the groups are very bold.
Good Grade: Morgan Silver Dollar
Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Once a silver dollar is worn to a mostly flat surface lacking detail to Liberty, a Good grade is assigned to its condition.
Some detail remains in the hair above the date. Liberty's portrait is well outline and somewhat bold from the field of the coin.
Lettering of the legend is complete and readable. Additionally, all stars are visible, raised above the field and separate of the rim.
Two cotton blossoms just below the letters of 'Liberty' are recognizable.
Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: All major designs on the reverse are recognizable. An eagle is complete, lettering is readable and the wreath remains boldly outlined.
Tips to the eagle's wing are outlined and free of the rim. The right wing is often just touching the rim.
Feather details remain visible on the lower parts of wings. Tail feathers are clearly defined.
Many of the leaves of the wreath are flattened into groups but the wreath is complete in outline, no merging with the field.
Tops of lettering is free of the rim along most of the Legend. One or two slight connections of the letters to the rim are the result of striking weakness in the area. Note: Wide spread fading of the legend into the rim indicates a lower condition coin.
How to Video: Grading Morgan Silver Dollars
An accurate grade of silver dollars is needed to place an accurate value on the coin. How to grade Morgan silver dollars follows a process judging the surface of the coin, comparing it to the video, images and descriptions.
Step 3: Special Qualities Enhancing Value
Coins falling in the $24.55 to $27.01 range on the above value chart are bullion quality silver dollars. These are priced and traded based on silver content of the coin. When minted Morgan dollars contain .773 ounces of silver. Quality of preservation is what separates most silver dollars from bullion to collector appeal and premium value.
A few key elements are easily recognized to help judge a premium collector Morgan dollar. Date and mintmark quickly determine base value. Next, aesthetics often decide value. Aesthetics and eye appeal are the evaluation of surface qualities and overall 'look' of the coin.
Both of the imaged coins are Extremely Fine grade, the technical amount of wear to the surface. Differences in the appearance and eye appeal are now judged. Many collectors favor the soft grey-tan toning over the dark, mottled colors of the second dollar. Aesthetics now determine marketability of the dark coin, often lessening its appeal.
Also, easily to recognize are eye distracting marks. If a mark, scratch, or rim bruise is noticeable, it immediately lowers eye appeal.
Placing yourself in the eye of a collector, both examples are the same date, mintmark, and grade. Looking closely at the chest of the eagle, on the second coin a noticeable deep mark is clearly visible. Marks of this type are the deciding factor in eye appeal to collectors. Recognizing coins with outstanding aesthetics separates bullion from collector quality.
References
US Mint. 1948 US Mint Annual Report. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/339
US Mint. Catalogue of Coins of the United States. https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/554591
US Mint. Symbols on Our Coins https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/us-circulating-coins
Coin Values CoinStudy Articles
Date by Date
In Depth Morgan Silver Dollar Value
1878 to 1921
1878 | 1885 | 1892 | 1899 |
1879 | 1886 | 1893 | 1900 |
1880 | 1887 | 1894 | 1901 |
1881 | 1888 | 1895 | 1902 |
1882 | 1889 | 1896 | 1903 |
1883 | 1890 | 1897 | 1904 |
1884 | 1891 | 1898 | 1921 |
Professional evaluation of many dates within the Morgan dollar series is important because of potential high value. If your coin is listed with a large value jump from one grade to the next, having the coin graded by a service leads to certainty of value.
Professional Coin Grading Services and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation are the top two services and both authenticate and grade your coin. Each place the coin in a special holder improving marketability. Coin Grading Services gives an insight to these services.
A step by step method combined with the coin value online guide identifies how to value a coin collection. Discover how much your box of old coins is worth.
Coin values spanning 140 years. Discover the many rare dates, mintmarks and varieties. Next, 'Grading' Images to evaluate the condition of your coins and find the true value of your silver dollars. From early dollars in 1794 to the Liberty Seated variety 1840-1873. Next the ever popular Morgan Dollar to the Peace Dollars ending in 1935.
Many of your old US silver coin values are tied closely to the price of silver. Pre 1965 silver dimes, quarters, half dollars and silver dollars are all heavy with 90% silver and worth many times their face value. With today's high value of silver; $26.90 per ounce as of 2/8/2021 your old silver dollars are becoming surprisingly valuable.
Selling coins for the highest price is achieved with planning. Research and organize well, value your coins accurately, and then finding and selling to the right buyer equals excellent results.
★Coin Values Discovery finds Morgan Silver Dollar Values and...
All old US coin values. It is an excellent index with images and text links to all coin series, from Cents to Gold. Value charts, grading images and a step by step procedure uncovers how much your box of old coins is worth.
Print the Coin Values Worksheet to list your Morgan silver dollars and record their values. Should you decide to sell... use the worksheet as an invoice and packing slip when sending coins through the mail to dealers. It indicates you have done your coin values homework.
Hi Nancy,
Sounds like you have a nice US Morgan silver dollar with a CC mint mark encapsulated in a special government holder. This is a valuable coin. In your note (a separate note we received from Nancy), you say your Grandmother collects coins. She does a good job!
(NOTE: CoinQuest's appraisal page for all Morgan silver dollars, not just the CC mint mark ones, appears at this link. Click there for a run-down on all Morgans.)
There is an interesting story about Carson City (CC) dollars. The US Mint had a big stash of them sitting in $1000 bags on the floor of an old back room. They started selling them to the public at face value but soon learned that they were worth *much* more than that. The General Services Administration (GSA) put the coins special holders and the coins were sold at auction. You got one!
To properly evaluate your coin, you must poke your big toe into the tar pits of coin grading. Watch out. You might spark your own collector juices like you did with your Grandmother! To us collectors, coin grading is a fascinating, but often frustrating subject.
Here are the current catalog value of CC Morgans in US dollars. Please use our Important Terminology page to understand what 'catalog value' means. These values come from the Grey Sheet, a conservative US coin price guide, and CoinQuest sincerely appreciates their permission to report these values to you.
1878CC: AU50 $115, MS60 $195, MS65 $1500
1879CC: AU50 $1385, MS60 $5100, MS65 $39000
1880CC: AU50 $255, MS60 $410, MS65 $1000
1881CC: AU50 $345, MS60 $425, MS65 $770
1882CC: AU50 $120, MS60 $160, MS65 $410
1883CC: AU50 $120, MS60 $150, MS65 $390
1884CC: AU50 $145, MS60 $155, MS65 $410
1885CC: AU50 $500, MS60 $510, MS65 $925
1889CC: AU50 $4650, MS60 $19000, MS65 $285000
1890CC: AU50 $165, MS60 $350, MS65 $4300
1891CC: AU50 $165, MS60 $300, MS65 $4000
1892CC: AU50 $600, MS60 $1150, MS65 $7250
1893CC: AU50 $1750, MS60 $3100, MS65 $60000
The cryptic annotations AU50, MS60, and MS65 are individual coin grades. AU means Almost Uncirculated and MS means Mint State, i.e., fully uncirculated. You can see an example of each grade in this picture:
See how the AU coin has lost its satiny, frosty luster, but the Mint State coins both have that fully uncirculated look. The difference between MS60 and MS65 is the number of marks on Miss Liberty's face. Those marks were inflicted by other coins in the $1000 bags in the back room.
So, Nancy, if you have dared to read this far, use the pictures to figure a grade for your silver dollar, then use the Grey Sheet numbers to get a good estimate of catalog value.
Morgan Silver Dollar Values
Created (yyyymm): 200911, Last review: 201511
Appearance: Packaged set of coins Metallic gray Letters: Latin
Years: sort: 1878, filter: 1878 to 1893
Image: us_carson_city_morgan.jpg
Original inquiry: my coin is a morgan silver dollar that is uncirculated and in a sealed plexiglass sleeve which states 'carson city uncirculated silver dollar on the case. beneath the profile is the date, 1884, and just under the wreath are the letters cc. black crown tiara eagle hawk falcon wreath