The 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar Coin is a highly sought-after collectible, and its value can vary depending on its condition and rarity. The coin was designed by George T. Morgan and minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921.
In excellent condition, an 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar can be worth around $50 to $100. However, coins with imperfections or wear can be worth significantly less, sometimes as low as $10 to $20.
The 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar was minted at the Philadelphia Mint, with a total of 9,104,000 coins produced. This was the largest mintage of any Morgan Silver Dollar coin.
What Is a 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar?
The 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar is a highly collectible coin that was minted in the late 19th century. It was designed by George T. Morgan and features a beautiful Lady Liberty on the obverse side.
The coin was made of 90% silver and 10% copper, which was a standard composition for Morgan dollars at the time. This combination of metals gave the coin a distinctive appearance and helped to make it highly prized among collectors.
The 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar was minted in large quantities, with over 9.2 million coins produced. This abundance has made the coin relatively affordable for collectors, but its value can still vary depending on its condition and rarity.
What Is a Morgan Silver Dollar?
The Morgan Silver Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan, a British engraver who worked for the Philadelphia Mint. He created the iconic design that has become synonymous with American currency.
The Morgan Silver Dollar was first minted in 1878 and was produced until 1904, with a brief revival in 1921. It's a testament to its enduring popularity that the coin has remained a favorite among collectors.
Morgan Silver Dollars were made from 90% silver and 10% copper, giving them a distinctive look and feel. The coins weighed 26.73 grams and measured 38.1 mm in diameter.
The obverse of the Morgan Silver Dollar features a portrait of Lady Liberty, designed by Morgan himself. She's depicted with a crown and a torch, symbolizing freedom and light.
The reverse of the coin shows an eagle in flight, surrounded by olive branches and the words "United States of America" in a circular pattern.
History of the Morgan Dollar
The Morgan Dollar has a rich history that spans over a century. It was first minted in 1878 and designed by George T. Morgan, a British engraver who worked for the Philadelphia Mint.
The Morgan Dollar was a product of the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, which aimed to put more silver into circulation. This act required the government to buy and melt down silver dollars to make the new coins.
The Morgan Dollar was minted until 1904, with a brief hiatus from 1905 to 1921. During this time, the Peace Dollar was introduced, but the Morgan Dollar returned in 1921.
How Much Are They Worth?
The value of an 1889 Morgan silver dollar can range from $25 to tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, depending on its condition and mint.
If your 1889 Morgan silver dollar is in circulated condition, it's likely worth between $25 and $50. However, if it's in uncirculated condition or has rare characteristics, it can command prices ranging from $100 to $10,000 or more.
To determine the value of your 1889 Morgan silver dollar, consider its condition and type. The exact type you own will play into the asking price, and well-preserved pieces will almost always sell for higher prices than those that have been damaged.
Here's a rough idea of what you might be asked to pay for an 1889 Morgan given its condition and type:
Keep in mind that these prices are based on the Red Book and may not reflect the actual market value of your coin.
Mints and Mintmarks
The 1889 Morgan silver dollar has a rich history, and understanding the mints and mintmarks involved is key to determining its value. The Philadelphia Mint produced the most 1889 Morgan Dollars, with a total of 21,726,811 coins, and these coins bear no mint mark.
The Philadelphia Mint is unique in that its coins lack an identifying mint mark, making them easily identifiable. This is because the Philadelphia Mint was the only mint location that didn't use a mint mark on its coins.
Here's a breakdown of the mints and mintmarks involved in the production of the 1889 Morgan silver dollar:
The mintmarks are crucial in determining the value of the coin, with the Carson City mint producing the rarest and most valuable 1889 Morgan Dollars.
New Orleans
The New Orleans Mint is one of the four locations that produced the Morgan silver dollar.
Silver dollars minted at the New Orleans Mint are slightly rarer than their Philadelphia counterparts.
You'll find a small marking, "O", that will clue you into your coin's origins.
The O Morgan silver dollar coin surpasses the unmarked Philadelphia coin when you get higher grades like uncirculated and mint state 65.
Carson City
Carson City is one of the most fascinating mints when it comes to the Morgan silver dollar series. The Carson City mint produced a relatively small number of coins in 1889, with only 350,000 silver dollars minted.
These coins are identified by the "CC" mint mark. Due to the low mintage, the Carson City Morgan Dollar is extremely valuable. In fact, the highest value for an MS68 example is a staggering $881,250.
In good condition, a Carson City Morgan silver dollar can sell for around $1,000. However, if it's graded as extra fine, the price can jump to upwards of $7,500.
The Comstock Lode
The Comstock Lode was a game-changer for the US economy, producing more silver and gold from 1860 to 1880 than all other mines in the country combined. This incredible find was named after silver miner Henry Comstock.
The Comstock Lode was so significant that it allowed the US Government to build an entire mint. The silver from this lode was also used to create CC Morgans, a type of coin that's still valuable today.
Carson City Morgan dollars in average grades are worth hundreds of dollars.
Coin Specifications and Grading
The 1889 Morgan Dollar is a substantial coin, weighing 26.73 grams and measuring 38.1 mm in diameter, with a thickness of 2.4 mm. Its substantial size and weight gave it the nickname "cartwheels", due to its sound when rolled across a table.
The coin's composition is 90% silver and 10% copper, adhering to the standard set for American silver dollars of the era. The edge of the coin features reeding, a security feature that also adds to its aesthetic appeal.
To determine the value of your 1889 Morgan Dollar, you'll want to assess its condition. Coins are graded on a scale from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Mint State (MS-70), with key areas that affect grading including hair detail above Liberty's ear, cheek and necklines, the eagle's breast feathers, and overall luster and strike quality.
Coin Specifications
The 1889 Morgan Dollar is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, adhering to the standard set for American silver dollars of the era.
It weighs 26.73 grams, which is substantial enough to earn it the nickname "cartwheels" due to its sound when rolled across a table.
The coin measures 38.1 mm in diameter and has a thickness of 2.4 mm, giving it a notable size and weight.
The edge of the coin features reeding, a security feature that also adds to its aesthetic appeal.
Coin Grading
Coin grading is a crucial step in determining the value of a coin. Coins are graded on a scale from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Mint State (MS-70).
The condition of a coin significantly impacts its value, and for 1889 Morgan Dollars, coins graded MS-65 or higher are particularly valuable. Key areas that affect grading include hair detail above Liberty's ear, cheek and necklines, eagle's breast feathers, and overall luster and strike quality.
To assess the condition of your dollar coin, observe the details mentioned above. However, coins graded by professional services, such as PCGS, NGC, and ANACS, are valued more.
Here's a breakdown of the key areas that affect grading:
- Hair detail above Liberty's ear
- Cheek and necklines
- Eagle's breast feathers
- Overall luster and strike quality
Professional grading services provide a more accurate assessment of a coin's value. The 1889-CC Morgan Dollar, graded MS-68 PCGS, sold for an auction record of $881,250 in 2013.
Rare
The rare 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar is a highly sought-after coin among collectors. It's considered rare because of its infrequent trading and auction records show that it can fetch a high price.
One such auction was held by David Lawrence Rare Coin Auctions, where a 1889 Carson City silver dollar sold for $29,500. This is a remarkable price, especially considering the coin's bright and lustrous condition with no wear to its surfaces.
The rarity of the 1889-CC dollar and its popularity among collectors, especially those who focus on Carson City issues, contributed to the high bidding price. It's worth noting that this coin is a rare mint marked issue, which adds to its value.
Here are some key features of the rare 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar:
The rarity and condition of the 1889-CC dollar make it a highly valuable coin, especially among collectors who are willing to pay a premium for its unique features.
Authenticity and Identification
The authenticity of an 1889 Morgan silver dollar can be verified by checking its weight and dimensions. Use a precise scale and calipers to ensure the coin matches the weight of 26.73 grams and the diameter of 38.1 mm.
A small marking on the coin, known as the mint mark, can also indicate its origin. Four United States Mint locations produced the Morgan silver dollar, and the mint mark will clue you into the coin's origins.
To identify a counterfeit 1889 Morgan Dollar, follow these steps:
If your coin doesn't pass these tests, it's likely a fake.
Condition and Error Coins
The condition of an 1889 Morgan Dollar significantly impacts its value. Coins are graded on a scale from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Mint State (MS-70), with coins graded MS-65 or higher being particularly valuable.
Key areas that affect grading include hair detail above Liberty's ear, cheek and necklines, eagle's breast feathers, and overall luster and strike quality. You can assess the condition of your dollar coin by observing these details.
Coins graded by professional services, such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), American Numismatic Association Certification Service (ANACS), and others, are valued more. The following chart will help you find your coin's average value based on its coin grades and mint locations:
Some mint errors, such as a die break at the top of the eagle's right wing, a slightly shifted date, ear doubling, and clashes on the obverse, can increase the value of your 1889 Morgan Dollar.
Error Coins
Error coins are a fascinating area of collecting, and for good reason - they can be worth significantly more than their perfectly minted counterparts.
Some errors found on Morgan silver dollars include a die break at the top of the eagle's right wing, a slightly shifted date, ear doubling, and clashes on the obverse.
These mint errors can greatly impact the value of a coin, and the 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar is no exception.
The 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar can also feature mint errors such as the Double Die error, the Repunched Mint Mark error, and Die Cuds errors.
These errors can make a coin truly unique and valuable, making it a great addition to any collection.
Condition
The condition of a coin can greatly impact its value. You'll often see coins graded on a scale from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Mint State (MS-70).
The condition of an 1889 Morgan Dollar, for example, significantly affects its value. Coins graded MS-65 or higher are particularly valuable.
To assess the condition of your dollar coin, observe the hair detail above Liberty's ear, cheek and necklines, eagle's breast feathers, and overall luster and strike quality. Professional services like PCGS, NGC, and ANACS can provide more accurate valuations.
The condition of a coin is often determined by its mint state, with MS-61 to MS-64 being a range of mint states. Coins in this range can have a value of $40 to $250 for an 1889 $1 No Mint Mark.
Here's a breakdown of the key areas that affect grading for an 1889 Morgan Dollar:
- Hair detail above Liberty’s ear
- Cheek and necklines
- Eagle’s breast feathers
- Overall luster and strike quality
Coins graded by professional services are valued more than those graded by collectors.
Proof Coins
The 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar Proof Coins are truly a rare and valuable find. Only 811 proof coins were minted in 1889. These coins feature sharper details and a mirror-like surface, resulting from special production techniques.
The proof coins are divided into three categories: Regular Proofs, Cameo Proofs, and Deep Cameo (or Ultra Cameo) Proofs. Regular Proofs have a uniform, mirrored surface and can be worth up to $34,000 for a coin graded PR68.
Cameo Proofs feature frosted devices contrasting with mirrored fields and are typically worth $5,000 to $50,000. A rare coin graded PR68 CAM sold for an eye-popping price of $74,750 on Heritage Auctions.
Deep Cameo (or Ultra Cameo) Proofs have an even more pronounced contrast between frosted devices and mirrored fields. Only a few 1889 DCAM silver dollar proof coins have been discovered and graded as they are extremely rare.
Here's a breakdown of the values for 1889 Morgan Proof coins:
Keep in mind that these values are for coins in excellent condition, and the actual value may be higher or lower depending on the coin's condition and other factors.
Sources
- https://atticcapital.com/1889-silver-dollar-value/
- https://antiquesknowhow.com/1889-morgan-silver-dollar/
- https://www.coinstudy.com/morgan-silver-dollar-values.html
- https://www.jmbullion.com/coin-info/us-silver-dollars/morgan-dollars/1889-morgan-dollar/
- https://www.coinstudy.com/1889-morgan-silver-dollar-value.html
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