1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Value

Morgan silver dollar series is the most popular or at least one of the most collectible nowadays. Collectors started looking for these heavy and attractive pieces with the beautiful design in the mid-1970s, and these coins have never lost popularity since then.

Thanks to Encyclopedia describing silver Peace and Morgan dollars, collectors started assembling sets with all possible varieties of these coins. These pieces were produced in the second year of minting, so the 1879 silver dollar value is expectedly high. Let’s see.

1879 silver dollar value Chart

Condition 1879 No Mint mark dollar 1879 CC dollar 1879 O dollar 1879 S dollar
Good $36 $275 $36 $36
Very good $40 $250 $37 $38
Fine $40 $475 $40 $40
Very fine $44 $675 $44 $42
Extra fine $48 $1,850 $55 $46
AU $55 $3,400 $72 $55
Mint state 60 $90 $5,350 $180 $75
Mint state 65 $550 $27,500 $2,750 $240
Proof 63 $4,000 / / /

 

History of the 1879 silver dollar (Morgan)

History of the 1879 silver dollar (Morgan)

Believe it or not, Morgan silver dollars minted from 1878 to 1921 are still legal tender in the United States. However, they are too valuable for regular circulation, so most Americans consider them collectibles.

These coins appeared thanks to the Bland-Allison Act, which tried to enhance the American economy. The Treasury Department was forced to buy 2 to 4 million dollars’ worth of silver and produce coins made of this precious metal.

1879 silver dollar (Morgan) Types

Location Year Minted
Philadelphia 1879 No Mint mark silver dollar 14,806,000
Philadelphia 1879 proof silver dollar 1,100
Carson City 1879 CC silver dollar 756,000
New Orleans 1879 O silver dollar 2,887,000
San Francisco 1879 S silver dollar 9,110,000
Total / 27,560,100

Nowadays, you can add this fantastic coin to your collection thanks to historical circumstances, silver discovery in the Comstock Lode in the 1850s, and a talented British immigrant. Besides, Morgan dollars are considered an excellent investment, thanks to the continuous rise in silver prices. 

Also read: 12 Most Valuable One-Dollar Coin Worth Money

Features of the 1879 silver dollar (Morgan)

Beautiful 1879 silver Morgans are the George T. Morgan design. This series is among the favorite ones in American coinage history.

The obverse of the 1879 silver dollar (Morgan)

The obverse of the 1879 silver dollar (Morgan)

The 1879 silver dollar’s obverse includes a Liberty’s head facing left, Latin inscription E · PLURIBUS · UNUM, and the DATE. The word LIBERTY is struck along her headband.

The reverse of the 1879 silver dollar (Morgan)

The reverse of the 1879 silver dollar (Morgan)

Designer George T. Morgan included an eagle and a wreath on the reverse and added the required inscriptions making a circle along the coin rim. Only the motto, In God we trust, is struck inside that circle.

1879 silver dollar (Morgan) Details

Face value One dollar ($1)
Shape Round
Compound 90% silver and 10% copper
Coin thickness 0.09449 inches (2.4 mm)
Coin weight 0.8594 troy ounces (26.73 g)
Silver weight 0.77344 troy ounces (24.5 g)
Coin diameter 1.5 inches (38.1 mm)
Edge Reeded

Other features of the 1879 silver dollar (Morgan)

The famous 1879 Morgan dollar is 0.09449 inches (2.4 mm) thick piece made of 0.900 silver with a diameter of 1.5 inches (38.1 mm). The precious metal share of total coin weight of 0.8594 troy ounces (26.73 g) is 0.77344 troy ounces (24.5 g).

Also read: 14 Most Valuable Coins In Circulation

1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Grading

The first step before buying the 1879 Morgan silver dollar is determining its condition. Grading is the most reliable way to evaluate every piece’s value. Most companies base their work on the Sheldon grading system. The original scale was modified in the 70s, and you can assess each coin based on a system of 1 to 70.

# Grade
1 Basal State-1
2 Fair
3 Very Fair
4, 5, 6 Good
7, 8, 10 Very Good
12, 15 Fine
20, 30 Very Fine
40 Extremely Fine
50 About Uncirculated
60 Mint State
65 Mint State
70 Mint State

Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.

Check out now: How to Grade Morgan Silver Dollar?

1879 Silver Dollar Value Guides

Four different mints released 27,560,100 Morgans in 1879, but only three variations came with the mint mark. The lowest mintage had the mint in Carlson City, while the highest production was in Philadelphia, including 1,100 proofs.

1879 No Mint mark silver dollar Value

1879 No Mint mark silver dollar

Survived silver dollars without the mint mark of 14,806,000 minted in 1879 are typically worth $36 to $76 when in circulated condition. A flawless look brings at least double value, so you can buy one of them for:

  • $80 to $90 (MS 60 grade)
  • $85 to $100 (MS 61 grade)
  • $90 to $110 (MS 62 grade)
  • $110 to $150 (MS 63 grade)
  • $160 to $240 (MS 64 grade)
  • $500 to $550 (MS 65 grade)
  • $1,600 to $2,000 (MS 66 grade)

The entirely different story is with highly-preserved silver specimens with the MS 67 grade. Their assessed value is approximately $28,500 to $38,500.

Besides, 1879 DMPL silver dollars can quickly reach $13,5000 to $16,000 when they are with MS 65 rating or even $27,500 to $30,500 for the best-looking pieces. Proof-like ones are more affordable, and you should set aside $80 to $6,500 per one, depending on grade.

1879 proof silver dollar Value

1879 proof silver dollar

Only some of the 1,100 produced 1879 proof silver dollars still exist. Their price range is from less than $775 to $11,500, depending on characteristics that make them more or less collectible.

As expected, coins with CAM quality cost more, and you can buy one for approximately $2,600 to $18,000. The rarest specimens in PR 68 grade are worth $52,500.

If you want to add the 1879 PR DCAM silver dollar to your collection, you should set aside the following sum:

  • $12,000 to $14,400 for PR 65-graded coin
  • $25,000 to $30,000 for PR 66-graded coin
  • $38,000 to $45,600 for PR 67-graded coin

1879 CC silver dollar Value

1879 CC silver dollar

The Carson City mint produced 1879 silver dollars with the CC mint mark. Since the mintage was a low 756,000 coins, you can expect existing ones in excellent condition to be pricey. The less expensive are circulated coins ($190 to $5,250), while those in the mint state cost more, from $5,350 to $125,000.

Coins with PL quality are far more costly, ranging from $3,600 to $5,760 for circulated pieces to $26,500 to $35,000 for those in MS 65 rank. The 1879 CC DMPL silver dollars are even more precious, so you should pay $6,500 to $50,000 per one, depending on preservation levels.

1879 O silver dollar Value

1879 O silver dollar

Morgan dollars produced in New Orleans had a mintage of 2,887,000 pieces in 1879. Those used in circulation often cost $36 to $135, while coins with a perfect look have different prices, depending on numerous factors.

Most of these silver dollars have a market value of $180 to $750, but the first-class ones are far more expensive. For example, you can get one in MS 65 grade for $2,750. On the other hand, almost flawless specimens ranking MS 66 are rare and reach $8,500 to $13,000 at auctions.

Collectors who prefer proof-like Morgans can add one to their collections for $275 to $11,500. The price range for 1879 O DMPL silver dollars is from $475 to an impressive $40,000.

1879 S silver dollar Value

1879 S silver dollar

The San Francisco mint had the second-high mintage of 1879 S silver dollars or precisely 9,110,000 coins. Interestingly, you can find two types with different dates on the obverse, despite being struck in the same year.

As expected, this detail significantly influences their prices. For instance, one 1879 S reverse of 1879 Morgan silver dollar costs $32 to $1,000, while the best-ranking ones (MS 68) can reach $4,500 to $6,500.

As for the proof-like silver coins, those with 1879 S PL reverse of 1879 cost $115 to $2,700. The record value has the MS 68-graded Morgans, often costing $10,000 to $12,500. Finally, you should pay $180 to $13,000 for 1879 S DMPL reverse of 1879 silver dollars.

Also read: Top 10 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollar Worth Money

Rare 1879 Silver Dollar (Morgan) Error List

Most 1879 Morgan errors are collectible and expensive. Collectors passionately look for rare, well-preserved imperfect pieces like the following:

CC Over CC – capped die (1879 CC Morgan)

CC Over CC - capped die (1879 CC Morgan)

The error 1879 CC capped die silver dollar is a real treasure. These coins with deformed and obscure CC mint marks appeared because of a rusted die cap. You can expect them to cost $160 to $3,850 in circulated condition, while those in the mint state can be pricey. Their price range is from $4,250 to $50,000.

The 1879 CC PL capped die silver dollars cost even more depending on the condition, with the average prices at auctions of $3,200 to $60,000. Finally, you need to pay $7,200 to $120,000 to get one beautiful 1879 CC DMPL capped die Morgan dollar.

The reverse of 1878 (1879 S Morgan)

The reverse of 1878 (1879 S Morgan)

The 1879 S reverse of 1878 Morgans comes in a price range from $60 to $8,500. The best-graded coins are in MS 66 grade, and their price can be $42,000 to $50,400, depending on their look and the day at auctions.

However, the 1879 S PL reverse of 1878 silver dollars’ prices are higher than standard specimens. They are scarce and typically cost $3,200 to $3,850 for the MS 63-graded pieces to $50,000 to $60,000 for MS 66-ranking ones. DMPL dollars with the reverse of 1878 are worth $1,800 to $24,000, depending on condition.

Silver dollar passed through an upsetting mill (1879 Morgan)

Silver dollar passed through an upsetting mill (1879 Morgan)

Some Morgan dollars pass through the upsetting mill two times, striking it twice. Such an uncommon coin is rare and costly. The auction record from 2013 is $8,225.

Uncentered broad strike (1879 S Morgan)

Some 1879 S Morgan dollars with uncentered broad strike error result from a poorly positioned planchet. Because the highest-quality pieces are relatively rare, they can cost a lot. For instance, one specimen in MS 64+ grade reached an auction price of $3,800.

Partial collar strike (1879 S Morgan)

Partial collar strike (1879 S Morgan)

The 1879 S Morgan dollar with this error occurs after a wrongly placed planchet in the striking chambers. Such pieces with a double rim on the reverse cost a few hundred dollars, with an auction record from 2020 of $325.

Where to Sell Your 1879 Morgan dollar ?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons. 

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

FAQ about the 1879 silver dollar (Morgan)

What makes an 1879 silver dollar (Morgan) rare?

Morgans minted from the late 19th to the early 20th century can be costly, particularly those in the highest grades. Besides, you can expect to pay a few hundred thousand dollars for some rare and collectible errors.

Which 1879 silver dollars (Morgan) are worth a lot?

  • 1879 CC MS 66+ Morgan – $192,000 (2023)
  • 1879 CC MS 64+ Morgan (DMPL, capped die) – $120,000 (2023)
  • 1879 CC MS 65+ Morgan (PL) – $66,000 (2019)
  • 1879 S MS 66 Morgan (reverse of 1878) – $63,250 (2005)
  • 1879 CC MS 65 Morgan (capped die) – $63,250 (2010)
  • 1879 CC MS 65 Morgan (DMPL) – $54,625 (2005)
  • 1879 CC MS 65+ Morgan (GSA hoard, capped die) – $52,800 (2019)
  • 1879 MS 67 Morgan $47,150 (2006)
  • 1879 CC MS 65 Morgan (capped die, VAM 3) – $38,400 (2018)
  • 1879 CC MS 65+ Morgan (GSA hoard) – $34,800 (2022)
  • 1879 CC MS 64+ Morgan (PL, capped die, VAM 3) – $25,850 (2015)
  • 1879 CC MS 64 Morgan (DMPL, capped die, VAM 3) – $20,400 (2020)
  • 1879 PR 68 Morgan (CAM) – $45,600 (2021)
  • 1879 PR 65 Morgan – $39,860 (1995)
  • 1879 S MS 68+ Morgan – $32,900 (2014)
  • 1879 O MS 66 Morgan – $29,900 (2005)
  • 1879 MS 66 Morgan (DMPL) – $25,200 (2020)
  • 1879 CC MS 64 Morgan (PL, capped die) – $22,325 (2014)
  • 1879 S MS 68 Morgan (PL) – $21,850 (2005)
  • 1879 O MS 65 Morgan (DMPL) – $20,400 (2017)
  • 1879 PR 66+ Morgan (DCAM) – $21,000 (2022)
  • 1879 S MS 67 Morgan (DMPL) – $16,100 (2006)
  • 1879 CC MS 64 Morgan (PL, GSA hoard) – $15,275 (2017)
  • 1879 S MS 65 Morgan (PL, reverse of 1878) – $14,375 (2004)
  • 1879 S MS 65 Morgan (DMPL, reverse of 1878) – $13,800 (2008)
  • 1879 O MS 65 Morgan (PL) – $8,225 (2014)
  • 1879 MS 65 Morgan (PL) – $8,225 (2014)

How much is the 1879 silver dollar (Morgan, No Mint mark) worth?

One 1879 silver dollar in MS 67 grade can bring you a fortune of $28,500 to $38,500, but even less-quality pieces are valuable. You can get up to $65 for circulated specimens, while perfectly-looked ones bring $70 to $1,600 at auctions.

What is the most expensive Morgan dollar ever?

The most expensive Morgan dollar is the 1889 CC MS 68-graded coin, which auction price is $881,250.

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