The Morgan Silver Dollar Value Chart is a treasure trove for collectors. The chart helps you determine the value of your Morgan Silver Dollars based on their condition, rarity, and other factors.
The value of a Morgan Silver Dollar can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on its condition. A well-preserved coin in good condition can be worth thousands of dollars.
To give you a better idea, the rare 1893-S Morgan Silver Dollar can sell for upwards of $100,000. This is because of its low mintage and excellent condition.
Morgan Silver Dollar Value Chart
The Morgan Silver Dollar Value Chart is a crucial tool for anyone looking to determine the value of their Morgan silver dollars.
The chart is particularly useful for identifying potential high-value coins, as it highlights large value jumps from one grade to the next. If your coin is listed with a significant value increase, it's essential to have it graded by a professional service like Professional Coin Grading Services or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation.
These services not only authenticate and grade your coin but also place it in a special holder, improving its marketability. It's worth noting that the value of your Morgan silver dollars can change dramatically depending on their condition, making proper grading a must.
To get started, you'll need to identify the date and mintmark of your coin. The Morgan dollar series spans from 1878 to 1921, and each date has its unique value. For example, the 1878 Morgan dollar is a highly sought-after coin, while the 1885 Morgan dollar is relatively common.
Here's a breakdown of the Morgan dollar values by date:
Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary depending on the condition and rarity of the coin. It's essential to consult a reliable source, such as the Coin Study article, for accurate valuations.
By using the Morgan Silver Dollar Value Chart and consulting with a professional, you'll be able to determine the true value of your Morgan silver dollars and make informed decisions about selling or keeping them.
Judging Condition: Identify Grade, Determine Value
Judging the condition of a Morgan silver dollar is crucial in determining its value. This process is known as "Grading" a coin.
The condition of a coin has a large impact on its value. A coin's grade is determined by its overall condition, including wear and tear.
Professional evaluation of a Morgan silver dollar is essential, especially for rare dates. If your coin is listed with a large value jump from one grade to the next, having it graded by a service like Professional Coin Grading Services or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation can provide certainty of value.
Both services authenticate and grade your coin, placing it in a special holder that improves marketability.
Here's a step-by-step guide to judging condition:
1. Inspect the coin closely for wear and overall condition.
2. Evaluate the coin's grade based on its condition.
3. Determine the value of the coin based on its grade.
By following these steps, you can accurately determine the value of your Morgan silver dollar.
Design and History
The Morgan silver dollar has a rich design history that dates back to the late 19th century. George Morgan, the coin's designer, was impressed by the profile of local teacher Anna Willess Williams, who became his model for the coin.
Morgan studied at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts to expand his knowledge of American art, and he wanted to depict a real American woman on the new silver coinage instead of creating an imaginary figure. The coin's design was chosen over that of Charles Barber, and it was eventually revealed that Williams was the model for the coin.
The Morgan silver dollar was first minted in 1878, with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper. The coin's specifications include a diameter of 38.1 mm and a weight of 0.77344 oz. pure silver.
Morgan Mintmarks
Morgan mintmarks are a crucial part of the coin's value and identity. Each mint variety is valued by demand on supplies and condition of the coin.
Five mints were involved in production of the Morgan silver dollar series, and each mint variety is key to Morgan silver dollar values. The Philadelphia mint struck just over 305 million Morgan silver dollars, which is a significant portion of the total 657 million struck from all mints combined.
Mintmarks were used by the branch mints to indicate their production, and are key to Morgan silver dollar values. The lack of a mintmark is also significant, as it confirms the Philadelphia mint struck the coin.
The Philadelphia mint 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.
Philadelphia issues are judged carefully to recognize high grade examples that break away from bullion value to collector premium values.
Take a look at this: Mint Mark
The Design and History
George Morgan arrived in America in 1876 and soon began working on a new design for the silver dollar, one that would eventually become the iconic Morgan dollar.
Morgan's design was influenced by his desire to depict a real American woman on the coin, rather than an imaginary figure. He studied at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts to expand his knowledge of American art.
The design competition between Morgan and Charles Barber ultimately led to Linderman choosing Morgan's design, which featured the profile of an American woman.
Morgan's model for the design was Anna Willess Williams, a local teacher who had previously posed for a pattern half dollar.
Morgan had five sittings with Williams and declared her profile to be the most perfect he had seen.
The Morgan dollar was designed to be a standard silver dollar, consisting of 90% silver and 10% copper.
The coin had a diameter of 38.1 mm and a weight of 0.77344 oz. pure silver.
Here is a list of the mints that produced the Morgan dollar:
- Philadelphia
- New Orleans
- Carson City
- Denver
- San Francisco
Background
In 1873, Congress enacted the Fourth Coinage Act, which effectively ended the bimetallic standard in the United States by demonetizing silver bullion.
Prior to this, silver could be brought to the mints and coined into legal tender for a small fee, which led to bullion producers making a profit and flooding the money supply, causing inflation.
The act ended production of the standard silver dollar, which was then the Seated Liberty dollar, designed by Christian Gobrecht.
The Coinage Act allowed bullion producers to bring bullion to the mints to be cast into bars or coined into silver trade dollars for a small fee.
Trade dollars initially held legal tender status, but it was revoked in 1876 to prevent bullion producers from making a profit by coining silver into trade dollars when the value of the metal was low.
The restrictions on free coinage laid out in the Coinage Act initially met little resistance from mining interests until the price of silver declined rapidly due to increased mining in the Western United States.
Groups were formed that demanded the free coinage of silver, or "free silver", to inflate the dollar following the Panic of 1873.
Several bills were introduced in the House of Representatives in an effort to resume the free coinage of silver, starting in 1876.
Intriguing read: Trade in Value vs Cash Value
Key Date
The Morgan dollar series has a key date that stands out from the rest. This date is the 1893-S Morgan dollar, which was struck at the United States San Francisco Mint.
The 1893-S Morgan dollar has the lowest mintage of any Morgan Dollar, with a mere 100,000 coins struck.
It's thought that few of these coins survived in mint state because they were largely in circulation.
In 2021, an 1893-S Morgan dollar in mint state (MS-67) sold for a staggering $2,086,875.00.
Check this out: West Point Mint Facility
Production and Rarity
Production of the Morgan silver dollar was a complex process that involved multiple mints and a significant amount of time. The first acceptable strike was coined at 3:17 p.m. at the Philadelphia Mint on March 11, 1878.
The Philadelphia Mint was the primary producer of Morgan dollars, but the western mints of San Francisco and Carson City were eventually involved in production to help meet the monthly quota. Pressure at the Philadelphia Mint was so great that it began operating overtime and halted production of all other coins.
The Morgan dollar contained 90% silver and 10% copper, and its diameter was 38.1 millimetres (1.50 in). The pure silver content was 371.25 Troy grains, which is equivalent to 24.057 g or 0.7734 ozt.
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D" Mintmark: Denver Mint
The Denver mint played a significant role in the production of silver dollars, striking over 20 million coins in 1921. This was a unique year, as the Carson City and New Orleans mints were both closed.
In 1921, the Denver mint used a distinctive "D" mintmark to indicate its production. This mintmark can be found on the reverse of the coin, under the ribbon tying the wreath.
The large supply of 1921 silver dollars from the Denver mint has made them relatively affordable, placing them on the want lists of many collectors.
Expand your knowledge: 1921 P Morgan Dollar Value
Production
Production of the Morgan dollar coins began on March 11, 1878, at the Philadelphia Mint, after a week of adjustments to the press.
The first acceptable strike was given to President Hayes, while the second and third were given to Secretary of the Treasury John Sherman and Mint Director Henry Linderman, respectively.
The Philadelphia Mint operated overtime due to high demand, halting production of other coins to meet the monthly quota required by the Bland–Allison Act.
Production eventually expanded to the western mints of San Francisco and Carson City, but was delayed due to a lack of proper equipment to prepare the dies for use.
The dies were eventually sent to the Western mints, arriving in both San Francisco and Carson City on April 16, 1878.
The New Orleans Mint began striking the new silver dollars in 1879, while the Denver Mint, established in 1906, struck the coins for only one year, in 1921.
Here's a breakdown of the mints involved in Morgan dollar production:
The Denver Mint was only used for one year, in 1921, while the New Orleans Mint and San Francisco Mint continued to produce the coins until 1904.
Modern and Preservation
Not cleaning your Morgan silver dollar is one of the safest ways to preserve its value. Handle them by the edges and store in areas that are not damp to eliminate major causes of lowering value.
Cleaning coins can be a major turn-off for collectors, who often pass on coins that have been cleaned. This is because collectors prefer original and natural coins over cleaned examples.
Auction results consistently favor natural and original coins over cleaned ones, with prices often reflecting this preference. The example of two 1879-CC Morgan dollars sold at auction illustrates this point, with the coin that had been cleaned selling for $276 compared to $920 for the coin with its natural surfaces.
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Modern Dollars
Modern Dollars are a far cry from their physical predecessors. The first digital dollar was introduced in 1995.
In the United States, the Federal Reserve began issuing digital dollars in 2020. This move marked a significant shift towards a more modern and efficient monetary system.
Digital dollars have increased in popularity, with the average American now holding more digital dollars than physical cash. This trend is expected to continue as more people turn to digital wallets and mobile payments.
The Federal Reserve's decision to issue digital dollars has been met with both excitement and skepticism. Some see it as a necessary step towards a more modern and secure financial system, while others worry about the potential risks and consequences.
The digital dollar has already begun to transform the way we think about money and its value. It's no longer just a physical object, but a digital representation of value that can be transferred and stored with ease.
Preserving 1879 Silver Dollar Value
Preserving 1879 Silver Dollar Value is easier than you think. Not cleaning your coin is one of the safest ways to preserve its value.
Handling your 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar by the edges and storing it in a dry area can eliminate major causes of lowering value.
Cleaning your coin is a major no-no, as collectors often pass on coins that have been cleaned. In fact, a coin that has been cleaned can sell for significantly lower than an identical coin with its natural surfaces.
Auction results consistently favor original and natural coins over cleaned ones. So, resist the temptation to clean your old coins in an effort to improve their value.
Here are some key points to keep in mind when preserving the value of your 1879 Silver Dollar:
- Handle the coin by the edges to avoid touching its surfaces.
- Store the coin in a dry area to prevent damage.
- Avoid cleaning the coin, as this can significantly lower its value.
- Consider having the coin graded by a professional service, such as Professional Coin Grading Services or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, to ensure its authenticity and value.
By following these simple tips, you can help preserve the value of your 1879 Silver Dollar and potentially even increase its value over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year of Morgan dollars are most valuable?
The most valuable Morgan dollar is the 1889 CC, which can sell for up to $881,250 due to its exceptional Ultra Gem grading and rarity. This rare coin is part of the Carson City series and has clear provenance, making it highly sought after by collectors.
How much will a pawn shop pay for Morgan silver dollars?
A pawn shop's payment for a Morgan silver dollar can range from a few dollars to over $20,000, depending on its condition and rarity. If you have a rare Morgan dollar, it may be worth a significant amount, so it's worth bringing it in for an appraisal.
How to tell if your silver dollar is valuable?
Check your silver dollar's rarity, condition, and silver content to determine its value. A rare, high-grade coin with high silver purity may be worth more than you think
How much can I sell my Morgan Dollars for?
Morgan Dollars can be worth between $15 and $50, but some may be worth significantly more, especially if they're graded and have a special reason for their value. If you have a Morgan Dollar, it's worth reviewing its details to determine its potential worth.
How much can I sell my Morgan dollars for?
Morgan Dollars can sell for between $15 and $50, but some can be worth significantly more, especially if they're graded and in excellent condition. If you have a graded Morgan Dollar, it's worth carefully reviewing its details to determine its true value.
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