The Ultimate List: 15 Morgan Silver Dollars Worth Thousands

Introduction

Morgan Silver Dollars are really high-priced coins and mark a very special place in the American numismatic history. These coins were made from 1878 till 1921. Apart from being highly beautiful coins, these have a historical relevance attached to them, thereby making them very highly priced among the collectors.

Market of Morgan Silver Dollars: Market for Morgan Silver Dollars has risen manifolds in the last few years. In fact, at some auctions, the rarest Morgan Silver Dollars were sold for a phenomenal price.

The most valuable of the Morgan Dollars can command prices in multi-figures that make for a very good investment that serious collectors will want. Coins such as the highly fabled $300,000+ piece for the 1889-CC and a $100,000+ rarity for the 1893-S are not only pieces of history but also serious financial values.

In this article, we’ll examine the top 15 Morgan Silver Dollars that have achieved phenomenal market values. We’ll dive into the special characteristics that make each coin so valuable to collectors and investors alike.

Understanding Morgan Silver Dollars

The Morgan Silver Dollar started in 1878 at the US Mint, which was a very important time in the history of American coinage. These iconic silver coins were minted at five different facilities:

• Philadelphia (no mint mark)
• San Francisco (S)
• Carson City (CC)
• New Orleans (O)
• Denver (D)

The US Mint ensured that it adhered to high-quality standards all through the striking process. The coin was made from 90% silver and 10% copper with an exact weight of 26.73 grams. On the obverse, you have the striking image of Lady Liberty profile while the reverse has a spread wings eagle.

The Role of Numismatics in Valuing Morgan Dollars

Numismatics-the scientific study of currency-plays a critical role in understanding Morgan Dollar values. Professional numismatists study the following:

• Die varieties
• Strike quality
• Surface preservation
• Mint luster
• Toning patterns

The Impact of Historical Events on Morgan Dollar Collectibility

It was during 1921 that the minting process ended, and millions of these coins were melted down during World War I to support Britain’s war effort through the Pittman Act. The mass melting of these coins transformed surviving Morgan Dollars into highly prized collectibles, especially those from certain years and mint locations.

Factors Influencing Value

Three major factors contribute to the value of a Morgan Silver Dollar: rarity, mint marks, and condition grade.

Rarity

The main idea in determining the price is rarity. The few made coins, such as Morgan dollars, are scarce if little was produced or many that were made were melted back into the metal content when the coins were being put into circulation. Therefore the 1893-S, with only 100,000 made, today this coin is extremely rare.

Mint Marks

Mint marks are also essential in determining where a coin was minted:

• CC (Carson City) – Rarest due to limited mintage
• S (San Francisco) – Usually very popular
• O (New Orleans) – Price varies depending on year
• D (Denver) – Only made in 1921
• No mark (Philadelphia) – Usually most common

Grading Condition

Coin condition also has a lot to do with the value of a coin:

• MS-70: Minted with perfect uncirculated quality
• MS-65: Minted with gem uncirculated quality
• MS-60: Minted but has minor flaws
• AU-58: Almost mint
• VF-20: Very fine with very few evidence of wear.

The two top professional grading companies are PCGS and NGC. They both set standards for grading coins, which in turn affects the market price. The variation of grades can make as much as thousands of dollars, especially for rare dates and mint marks.

Top 15 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollars That Are Worth Thousands

Morgan Silver Dollar also has some treasures that make a lot of sense for sizeable amounts of money. The rarest versions of the coins can be indeed excellent investments. One such coin was sold in an auction for an astronomical sum.

Let’s take a look at the most valuable Morgan Silver Dollar in existence – the legendary 1889-CC Morgan Dollar.

1.1889-CC Morgan Dollar

This is the crown jewel of Morgan Dollar collecting. Struck at the Carson City facility, the 1889-CC Morgan Dollar boasts:

• Pristine strike quality
• Deep mirror-like surfaces
• Exceptional detail preservation
• Distinctive “CC” mint mark

It was minted initially in the amount of 350,000 coins and, during the Pittman Act of 1918, almost half of these were melted, leaving few specimens in existence today for collectors to find.

Auction price: Amazing:

• $300,000 + in MS65
• $150,000 + in MS63
• Even circulated examples: $15,000-50,000

These prices will keep going higher from the following:

• A historic Carson City mint product
• Fewer remain
• Great demand by collectors who really want the coin
• Exceptional strike quality is seen in the survivors that remain.

The best examples come with outstanding eye appeal in frosted devices contrasted by reflective fields. Adding to these features, though, is the historic interest of the coin. These make the 1889-CC Morgan Dollar numismatic treasure.

2. 1893-S Morgan Dollar

The 1893-S Morgan Dollar is one of the more popular coins in the Morgan series, with only 100,000 minted at the San Francisco Mint. This extremely low mintage makes it one of the more rare Morgan Dollars still available.

Key Characteristics:

• Very obvious “S” mint mark below the wreath
• Strong strike quality relative to other years
• Deep mirror-like surfaces in higher grades

Recent auction data shows specimens in the MS-65 condition selling for prices well over $100,000. A pristine MS-67 example sold for $735,000 during an auction in 2018 and thus became a record for that date.

The coin is scarce because of heavy circulation and melting during the early 20th century. Experts estimate that there are fewer than 100 mint state examples remaining today, and thus, the demand from collectors is unprecedented. Even heavily circulated specimens start at prices of $4,000.

3. 1884-S Morgan Dollar

The 1884-S Morgan Dollar is one of the outstanding works done in the San Francisco Mint. While there were 3.2 million coins produced, specimens in mint condition are almost impossible to find. The coin has a characteristic profile of Lady Liberty with details in the hair and an eagle design that exudes power on the reverse side.

Recent auction data reveals impressive values:

• MS-65 grade: $75,000+

• MS-64 grade: $40,000+

• MS-63 grade: $25,000+

The two reasons for the scarcity of 1884-S Morgan dollars are general circulation and, more significantly, that the Pittman Act of 1918 saw the melting of a great majority of silver dollars into bullion. Most surviving 1884-S dollars are worn out, but untouched examples are hotly sought after by serious collectors and investors in rare U.S. coinage.

This specific version of the Morgan Dollar can be identified as it has the San Francisco mintmark “S” on the reverse side that is located below the wreath. It does not appear on its counterparts struck in Philadelphia and Carson City.

4. 1895 Morgan Dollar

Numismatic collectors term the 1895 Morgan Dollar the “King of Morgan Dollars” because this coin is only found in 880 proof specimens produced at the Philadelphia Mint and no regular business strikes were made that year. That makes the 1895 Morgan Dollar a very special coin, indeed, being one of the most wanted and prestigious ones in American numismatic history.

• Proof-only mintage
• Deep mirror-like surfaces
• Sharp strike details
• Strong cameo contrast

Recent auction records show the high price the coin commands. A gem PR67 realized $132,000 in a 2022 Heritage Auction. Even examples in PR63 grade often reach $85,000 to $100,000 as serious collectors and investors are eager for this issue.

The survival rate of the coin is nothing short of miraculous-numismatists estimate fewer than 700 specimens exist today in all grades.

5. 1881-CC Morgan Dollar

The 1881-CC Morgan Dollar is one of the finest examples of good workmanship in the mint. Only 296,000 pieces were minted; therefore, the scarce coin pushes the market price to around $50,000 for pieces in almost mint condition.

Distinctive Characteristics

Some features of the 1881-CC include the following:

• Sharp strike quality
• Deep mirror-like surfaces
• Strong rim definition
• Distinct “CC” mint mark

Many of the examples that survived are remarkably preserved because they were stored in U.S. Treasury vaults until the 1960s. The release of the coin through the GSA sales program spurred collector interest, making the 1881-CC a staple piece for serious Morgan Dollar collectors.

High-grade examples tend to show a lot of brilliance and fewer contact marks, thus commanding a significant price among bidders who participate in the auctioning process. The low mintage together with the history attached to the coin plus the exceptional preservation quality made the 1881-CC Morgan Dollar a wonderful investment opportunity in the rare coin auction market.

6. Other Notable Mentioned Coins From The List Above

• 1880-CC ($30,000) – Carson City beauty with sharp strike and excellent luster
• 1892-S ($60,000) – Extremely popular in mint state grades
• 1879-CC ($70,000) – Has the distinctive “CC” mintmark and incredible detail
• 1901 ($100,000) – Extremely rare in mint
• 1886-O ($80,000) – New Orleans mint piece with great collector demand

The remaining rare ones on our list of the top Morgan Dollars:

• 1894 ($50,000) – Extremely low mintage
• 1893-CC ($90,000) – Last year of Carson City production
• 1883-S ($85,000) – San Francisco mint masterpiece
• 1897-O ($55,000) – New Orleans mint rarity
• 1885-CC ($65,000) – Popular Carson City issue

Each coin is a rare piece of American numismatic history, with values driven by factors such as mintage numbers, survival rates, and preservation state. Such coins are considered serious collectors and investors because of their history and investment potential.

There are several reasons why many of the “CC” specimens are highly priced; among them is the Western heritage, though it is quite rare because of the few runs.

How to Identify High-value Coins Like A Pro!

The following is what professional collectors look for when identifying valuable Morgan Silver Dollars:

Die Varieties and Errors

• VAM varieties (named after Leroy Van Allen and George Mallis)
• Double-die strikes
• Over-mint marks
• Repunched dates

Toning Patterns

• Rainbow colours indicate natural aging
• Even, symmetrical patterns
• Deep, rich hues without artificial enhancement

Authentication Tools

• Digital microscope for detail exam
• Accurate weight scale (26.73 g for real coins)
• UV light to detect artificial toning

Learning Resources

• Official Red Book – all U.S. coin catalog.
• NGC and PCGS on line price guides
• VAMworld.com – Specialty Morgan variety site

Expert Communities

• American Numismatic Association (ANA)
• Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) forums
• NGC chat rooms
• Local coin clubs

Document your findings and keep records of your coin observations as thoroughly as possible. There are professional grading services that will actually authenticate the precious specimens and provide official certification.

Investing In Your Passion For History And Wealth Building Through Collectible Currency

Collecting a Morgan Silver Dollar can be financially rewarding as well as personally fulfilling. The coin carries a history about America; therefore, the investment journey, apart from monetary gains, is more fulfilling.

Begin with little pieces, but collect the quality pieces and see the value of your collection shoot up. The Top 15 Morgan Silver Dollars present some of the finest investment opportunities, and certain pieces are worth over six figures.

Remember:

• Conduct thorough research before purchasing
• Connect with seasoned collectors
• Work with reliable dealers
• Record your collection’s growth

This way, your Morgan Silver Dollar collection becomes a tangible asset combining historical significance with wealth preservation. The excitement of finding rare pieces and understanding their stories creates a rewarding experience that goes beyond traditional investing.

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