Discover the Value of a One Dollar Morgan Coin

The Morgan dollar is a timeless treasure that's been making waves in the numismatic world for over a century. It's a coin that's steeped in history and has a unique charm that's hard to resist.

The Morgan dollar was first minted in 1878 and was named after its designer, George T. Morgan. It was a $1 coin that was made from a combination of copper, nickel, and silver.

One of the most interesting facts about the Morgan dollar is that it was minted for 28 years, with a total of over 657 million coins produced during that time. That's a lot of coins!

The Morgan dollar is also known for its beautiful design, which features Lady Liberty on the obverse side and a bald eagle on the reverse side.

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The Morgan silver dollar has a rich design history that dates back to the late 19th century. George T. Morgan, an English engraver, designed the obverse and reverse of the coin, which was first struck in 1878.

Morgan's design was influenced by his desire to depict a real American woman on the new silver coinage, rather than an imaginary figure. He based the design on local teacher Anna Willess Williams, who was his model for an 1877 pattern half dollar.

The Bland-Allison Act of 1878 led to the minting of millions of Morgan dollars, making them a symbol of the era's monetary policy. The act required the Treasury Department to buy $2 million to $4 million worth of silver bullion each month and convert it into standard silver dollars.

George T. Morgan's task was to revitalize the silver dollar design, which had been around since 1836.

Morgan was pitted against Charles Barber in a design competition initiated by Mint Director Henry Linderman.

The existing Liberty Seated design was no longer suitable for the new legislation that required the Treasury Department to buy and mint more silver coins.

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Morgan wanted to depict a real American woman on the new silver coinage instead of creating an imaginary figure.

He studied at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts to expand his knowledge of American art during his first two years in the United States.

Morgan's design competition ultimately led to the creation of a new silver dollar featuring the profile of an American woman.

Miss Liberty's profile was based on local teacher Anna Willess Williams, who had been Morgan's model for an 1877 pattern half dollar.

Morgan was impressed with her profile, describing it as the most perfect he had seen in America.

Miss Williams posed for Morgan under the condition that her identity would not be revealed, but her anonymity was eventually revealed by a newspaper reporter.

The new silver dollar design featured 90% silver and 10% copper, with a diameter of 38.1 mm and a weight of 0.77344 oz. pure silver.

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The Morgan silver dollar was born out of the Bland–Allison Act of 1878, which aimed to increase the amount of silver coinage in circulation.

This legislation led to the minting of millions of Morgan dollars, making them a symbol of the era's monetary policy. The coin's historical significance is deeply rooted in the economic conditions of the late 19th century.

The Morgan dollar witnessed significant historical events, including the impact of World War I and the subsequent economic changes.

The United States Mint produced the Morgan silver dollar at five different mints: Philadelphia, Carson City Nevada, New Orleans, Denver, and San Francisco. Each mint produced coins with varying levels of mintage, influencing their rarity and value.

The mint mark on a Morgan dollar provides crucial information about where the coin was struck. You can find the mint mark on the reverse of the coin, just below the bow in the wreath.

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The Philadelphia mint, which had no mint mark, produced coins in all years. However, the other mints did not produce all coins in all years, making some coins more rare and valuable.

Here's a list of the major mint marks to look out for:

A Morgan dollar with a "CC" mintmark, produced by the Carson City mint, typically commands a higher price compared to those from Philadelphia. This is because the Carson City mint produced significantly fewer coins, making them more desirable among collectors.

The condition of a Morgan silver dollar is crucial in determining its value, as it's closely evaluated and graded to assess its wear and overall state.

A coin's grade has a significant impact on its value, with the condition being a major factor that determines its worth.

To get a fair price for your Morgan dollar, you need to know its grade, which is determined by the coin's condition.

Buy and sell prices for Morgan dollars vary depending on their grade, with the actual offer from a coin dealer influenced by the coin's grade and other factors.

Average circulated and uncirculated coins have specific buy and sell prices, which are approximate retail prices and wholesale values.

These prices will vary depending on the actual grade of the coin and other factors that determine its worth.

Morgan silver dollar values are conditional and depend on the coin's condition, with wear on the hair above the forehead and feather details on the reverse being key factors to grade.

You can compare your coins to the grading images provided to judge their overall condition. A single light source and a magnifying glass can help bring out subtle details.

Past sales data can give you an idea of what your Morgan silver dollar might be worth. For example, a 1878 CC Morgan silver dollar graded UNC (NGC MS62) sold for USD 391.87 in 2021.

Here are some notable sales:

These sales data can give you an idea of what to expect if you sell your Morgan silver dollar.

The value of a Morgan silver dollar depends on its condition, with the grade of the coin playing a huge role in determining its worth.

To determine the grade of your coin, you'll need to carefully inspect it, focusing on areas like the hair above the forehead on the obverse and the feather details on the reverse.

A single light source and a magnifying glass are essential tools for this process, helping you spot subtle details that can make a big difference in the grade.

Grading is a critical step in evaluating the value of a Morgan silver dollar, and it's essential to get it right to avoid overpaying or undervaluing your coin.

The rarity of a Morgan silver dollar is another key factor in determining its value, with coins minted in lower quantities being more sought after and valuable.

Coins with a mintmark, like those from the Carson City Mint, are generally more valuable due to their limited supply and rarity.

The value of an average circulated and uncirculated Morgan silver dollar can vary depending on the actual grade of the coin and other factors that determine its worth.

Buy and sell prices for Morgan silver dollars can also vary depending on the grade and other factors, so it's essential to research and compare prices before making a purchase or sale.

Past sales data can be a valuable resource for understanding market trends and making informed decisions.

A notable sale occurred in April 2021, where a 1878 CC coin sold for USD 391.87 (EUR 378.00) at Aurora Numismatica's Lot 496.

The sale of a 1880 CC – 3rd reverse, overdate 8/7dash, (normal strike) coin at Aurora Numismatica's Lot 497 in April 2021 reached a price of USD 733.98 (EUR 708.00).

A 1880 O coin sold for USD 44.58 (EUR 43.00) in March 2023 at Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.'s Auction 79, Lot 2271.

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A 1880 S coin sold for USD 415.71 (EUR 401.00) in April 2021 at Numismatica Ranieri's Lot 517.

A 1881 S coin sold for USD 481.48 (CHF 437.00) in May 2021 at Sincona AG's Lot 1392.

A 1881 S coin also sold for USD 164.83 (EUR 159.00) in April 2021 at V.L. Nummus's Online Auction 16, Lot 2999.

A 1882 CC coin sold for USD 417.79 (EUR 403.00) in April 2021 at Nomisma's Auction E-Live 22, Lot 1267.

A 1883 coin sold for USD 37.32 (EUR 36.00) in October 2022 at Eppli's Auction, Lot 2107.

A 1884 O coin sold for USD 86.05 (EUR 83.00) in April 2021 at Nomisma's Auction E-Live 22, Lot 1269.

A 1885 CC coin sold for USD 733.98 (EUR 708.00) in April 2021 at Aurora Numismatica's Lot 498.

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The 1893-S Morgan dollar is one of the rarest and most sought-after coins, often fetching high prices at auctions.

Collectors highly covet coins with low mintage, such as the 1889-CC and 1901 Morgan dollars.

These coins are considered more valuable due to their rarity and historical significance.

The 1889-CC Morgan dollar is another highly valuable coin, with its low mintage making it a prized possession among collectors.

The 1893-S Morgan dollar is often the most expensive of the Morgan dollars, with prices ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

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A Morgan silver dollar contains 0.77344 troy ounces of silver, which translates to about 90% silver content.

The intrinsic value of these coins fluctuates with the price of silver, making it essential to consider the current market price when assessing their value.

If silver prices are high, even common-date Morgan dollars can command significant premiums due to their metal content.

Investors often monitor silver prices to determine the best time to buy or sell their coins.

The value of a one dollar Morgan dollar can greatly vary depending on its key dates, rarities, and varieties. Some Morgan dollars are worth considerably more than common ones in any condition.

The 1881 CC, 1885 CC, 1889 CC, 1893 CC, 1893 S, 1895 Proof, and 1895 S Morgan dollars are often counterfeit or altered, so it's essential to have them authenticated by a reputable coin dealer or third-party grading service.

The 1878 Morgan dollar is not extremely rare, but it was minted with four different reverse dies, each with unique characteristics. The first die had an eagle with eight tail feathers, which was later corrected to seven tail feathers.

These variations can be a fun challenge for collectors to identify. If you're interested in collecting Morgan dollars, understanding the specific years and mintmarks is crucial.

The following Morgan dollars are worth noting:

Knowing which coins are rare or have unique characteristics will help you make informed decisions about which pieces to acquire for your collection.

To read a one dollar Morgan, you need to hold it up to a light source to spot the mint mark on the reverse side. This can be a challenge, especially for those with limited vision.

The Morgan dollar was minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, which is a relatively short period of time. This limited production run is one reason why the coin is valuable.

To ensure you're looking at a genuine Morgan dollar, examine the coin's weight and size. A genuine Morgan dollar weighs 26.73 grams and measures 38.1 mm in diameter.

The coin's design features a depiction of Lady Liberty on the obverse side. This design was created by George T. Morgan, who was the assistant engraver at the Philadelphia Mint at the time.

To verify the coin's authenticity, look for the "CC" mint mark on the reverse side. This mark indicates that the coin was minted at the Carson City Mint.