1889 Silver Dollar Coin Value: Errors List,“CC”,“O”,“S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1889 Silver Dollar value ranges from $1.00 face value to $881,250. That record belongs to an MS-68 graded example sold at Stack’s Bowers in July 2013 — the single finest known 1889-CC Morgan Dollar ever certified. If you’re wondering what yours is worth, upload a photo of your coin below for a quick value range. You can also scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what buyers are actually paying right now.

 

1889 Silver Dollar Value By Variety

Four mints struck the 1889 Silver Dollar — Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City — and the value gap between them is enormous.

If you know the grade of your coin,you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Silver Dollar Coins Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1889 Silver Dollar Worth Money

The 1889-CC owns this list. The top sale belongs to an MS-68 example from the Eliasberg Collection that hammered for $881,250 at Stack’s Bowers in 2013. It’s the only 1889-CC ever graded that high — a true one-of-one coin. I think it’s one of the most impressive Morgan dollars to ever cross the auction block.

Two MS-65 Carson City pieces also cracked the top four at $660,000 and $324,000. Even MS-63 and MS-64 CC examples pulled $88,125 to $264,000 — numbers most series can’t touch at those grades. The only non-CC coin in the top ten? An 1889-O graded MS-65 at $84,000. That tells you everything about the gap between Carson City and the rest.

 

History Of The 1889 Silver Dollar

By 1889, the Morgan Dollar was eleven years into its run. Congress had mandated its production through the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, which required the Treasury to buy silver monthly and coin it into dollars. The political fight over silver was still raging — the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 was just around the corner.

The big story for 1889 is Carson City. That mint had been dark since 1885. It fired back up in October 1889 and squeezed out three months of production before year’s end. That late restart is exactly why the 1889-CC is one of the most historically important coins in the entire Morgan series.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollar Coins Worth Money List

 

Key Features Of The 1889 Silver Dollar

Every 1889 Silver Dollar carries George T. Morgan’s classic design. Knowing what to look for on each side helps you spot varieties, assess strike quality, and grade more accurately.

The Obverse Of The 1889 Silver Dollar

Flip it to the heads side and you’ll see Lady Liberty in a Phrygian cap with “LIBERTY” on the headband. Morgan based the portrait on a real person — Philadelphia schoolteacher Anna Willess Williams. That was a break from the Greek-inspired designs on earlier U.S. coins.

Thirteen stars ring the portrait for the original colonies, along with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and the date 1889.

The Reverse Of The 1889 Silver Dollar

The reverse shows a bald eagle gripping arrows and an olive branch — strength and peace in one image.

Around the eagle you’ll find “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “ONE DOLLAR,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Look just above the “DO” in “DOLLAR” for the mint mark.

Other Features Of The 1889 Silver Dollar

The coin measures 38.10 mm across and 2.40 mm thick with a reeded edge. It’s 90% silver, 10% copper, and weighs 26.73 grams. That heft is why collectors have always called it a “Cartwheel.”

Also Read: Top 80+ Most Valuable Sacagawea Dollar Worth Money (2000-P to Present)

 

1889 Silver Dollar Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia dominated production at 21,726,000 coins, but only about 2,200,000 survived — roughly 1 in 10. New Orleans hit 11,875,000 with a similar 10% survival rate.

Carson City is a completely different story. Just 350,000 struck, only 25,250 survivors, and a 7.2143% survival rate — the lowest of any regular-issue 1889 variety. To put it another way, for every four CC dollars minted, fewer than one exists today.

On the Proof side, all three designations share an 811-coin mintage but wildly different survival numbers. CAM pieces survived at 43.1566%, while DCAM coins survived at just 1.8496% — only about 15 examples are estimated to exist.

Also Read: Top 40+ Most Valuable Presidential Dollar Coins Worth Money

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1889 Silver Dollar Value

Three things drive your coin’s value: mint mark, grade, and surface designation. A circulated Philly coin and a Mint State Carson City piece are worlds apart.

Start by checking the reverse for the mint mark, then give yourself an honest assessment of the coin’s condition. For a fast estimate, the Coin Identifier and Value App lets you look up your coin and get a value reference right from your phone.

 

1889 Silver Dollar Value Guides

Seven distinct varieties exist for the 1889 Silver Dollar. Here’s a quick rundown:

1889 No Mint Mark Silver Dollar — Struck at the Philadelphia Mint, this is the most common 1889 variety with the highest production volume. No mint mark appears on the reverse. Well-preserved Mint State examples are notably harder to find than the large mintage suggests.

1889-CC Silver Dollar — The most valuable 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar, carrying the “CC” mint mark from the Carson City Mint. It always commands a premium due to its very low production, making it the rarest regular-issue 1889 variety.

1889-O Silver Dollar — The New Orleans Mint was a major contributor to silver dollar production for the U.S. West and South. However, due to uneven minting methods, many 1889-O coins were struck with inconsistent quality. A sharply struck specimen is considered a genuine find.

1889-S Silver Dollar — The San Francisco Mint produced a smaller quantity compared to Philadelphia and New Orleans. Uncirculated examples are considerably scarcer, and the finest known specimens are highly competitive among advanced collectors.

1889 Proof Silver Dollar — Only 811 Proofs were made in 1889 at the Philadelphia Mint, compared to over 34 million business strikes across all four mints. These coins feature mirror-like fields and sharp, frosted design elements, produced using specially polished dies.

1889 CAM Silver Dollar — The Cameo (CAM) designation applies to Proof coins displaying a strong contrast between the frosted design and the reflective fields. Among the 811 Proof coins struck, CAM examples represent a select portion with particularly crisp visual contrast.

1889 DCAM Silver Dollar — The Deep Cameo (DCAM) is the highest surface designation for Proof coins, featuring an even more pronounced contrast. Only 811 Proof coins were produced in 1889, and DCAM survivors are exceptionally rare, with very few examples confirmed to exist today.

From the common Philadelphia issue to the legendary Carson City rarity, each variety occupies its own tier. Knowing which one you hold is the first step before you worry about grade or market value.

 

1889 No Mint Mark Silver Dollar Value

Here’s a number that surprises people: 21,726,000 coins struck — the highest mintage in the entire Morgan Dollar series. You’d think they’d be everywhere in high grade. They’re not.

The Pittman Act of 1918 and the Silver Act of 1942 sent millions to the melting pot. At MS-67 the coin gets genuinely scarce, and only a single example has ever been slabbed at MS-68. That lone top-pop piece brought $25,300 at Heritage Auctions in January 2009. Even with a massive mintage, perfection is perfection.

Auction records for the 1889 No Mint Mark dollar show that high-grade examples have sold at notably varying prices over time.

Market activity data reflects a generally steady collector interest in this variety across recent months.

Market activity score: 90/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 9 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1889-CC Silver Dollar Value

If you find one of these in a junk box, buy it immediately. The 1889-CC is the king of Carson City Morgans.

The mint sat idle from September 1885 until October 1889. Once it reopened, production happened fast: 100,000 coins in October, 100,000 in November, and 150,000 in December — just 350,000 total. Most went straight into circulation, and the Pittman Act likely melted a huge chunk. Fewer than 1,200 have been graded in any Mint State level. Only nine sit at MS-65. One coin — just one — has reached MS-68.

That MS-68 is the Eliasberg specimen. It sold at Stack’s Bowers in 2013 for $881,250. We think it’s the single most desirable Morgan Dollar by date and mint mark combination.

The chart below tracks auction prices over time for this coin — one of the most pursued dates in the Morgan series.

Sales volume for the 1889-CC is naturally low. But when one crosses the block, bidding gets aggressive fast.

Market activity score: 84/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 1 point from Jul 2026. 12-month peak: 86 (Aug 2026).

 

1889-O Silver Dollar Value

Got an 1889-O that looks sharp and fully struck? Hold onto it. That’s the exception, not the rule.

On paper, 11,875,000 coins is a big mintage. But the New Orleans Mint was cranking these out with little concern for quality. Weak strikes, mushy details, dull luster — that’s the typical 1889-O. The coin is easy to find through MS-64. At MS-65 it gets very scarce. At MS-66 or better, you’re looking at a real rarity. Cherrypicking a well-struck piece from this mint is one of the best moves you can make.

The auction record sits at $84,000 for an MS-65 example.

The auction chart below shows sharp price spikes when a quality 1889-O surfaces — bidding gets heated in a hurry.

Monthly market activity for the 1889-O stays fairly consistent, driven by steady demand from collectors building full mint-mark sets.

Market activity score: 84/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 1 point from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1889-S Silver Dollar Value

Most collectors don’t realize the 1889-S was once considered a major rarity. Until the mid-1920s, it was one of the toughest Morgans to find. Then bags turned up in 1937 and more in the early 1940s, and its reputation shifted overnight.

Still, only 700,000 were struck — all in November and December. Circulated examples remain scarce. At MS-65 the coin gets tough, and anything higher is a genuine rarity. The good news? San Francisco strikes are usually sharp, so quality survivors look better than comparable New Orleans pieces. If you’re building a registry set, that matters.

The auction record is $16,450 for an MS-66+ example at Heritage Auctions in April 2014.

The auction chart below captures price trends for high-grade 1889-S examples, with jumps when gem pieces hit the market.

Trading activity runs at a moderate pace — steady enough to show solid demand, but never as frequent as the Philadelphia issue.

Market activity score: 86/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 5 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1889 Proof Silver Dollar Value

Only 811 Proofs. That’s it. The Philadelphia Mint made these strictly for collectors, and 1889 sits at the lower end of Proof Morgan mintages for the 1880s.

Most survivors grade PR-62 to PR-64. At PR-65 they thin out. PR-66 is scarce. Anything higher is a real hunt. Here’s the catch — many 1889 Proofs have soft centers and zero cameo contrast. Finding one with a crisp strike and frosted devices takes patience.

The auction record for the standard Proof is $34,500 for a PR-68 example at Heritage Auctions in January 2006.

Prices vary widely depending on grade and surface quality — the chart below shows just how big that range gets.

Turnover is naturally limited, with far fewer examples changing hands each month compared to business strikes.

Market activity score: 60/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 17 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1889 CAM Silver Dollar Value

What’s the difference between a $34,500 Proof and a $74,750 Proof? Cameo contrast.

The 1889 CAM shares the same 811-piece mintage as the standard Proof, but the Cameo designation puts it in a different league. You need frosted devices against mirror-like fields — and that only happens with fresh, lightly used dies. Since dies wear fast, true Cameo pieces are always a small fraction of any Proof run.

Most 1889 Proofs you’ll encounter grade PR-60 to PR-64. Gems are scarce. PR-66 is rare. A sharply struck CAM at gem level is a real trophy coin.

The auction record is $74,750 for a PR-68 at Heritage Auctions in August 2011 — more than double the standard Proof record at the same grade.

Prices jump sharply at higher grades, as the chart below shows.

Top-grade CAM examples almost never appear, so market activity is thin — but serious Proof collectors are always watching.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 15 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1889 DCAM Silver Dollar Value

About 15 coins. That’s how many 1889 DCAM Proofs are estimated to exist.

Deep Cameo requires even heavier frost and deeper mirrors than a standard CAM. Only the very first strikes from freshly polished dies could produce this level of contrast. Out of 811 Proofs struck, the DCAM survivors are a completely different kind of rare.

The auction record is $19,200 for a PR-66 DCAM at Heritage Auctions in January 2022.

Market activity is the most limited of all seven 1889 types. Certified DCAM examples almost never come up for sale.

Market activity score: 35/100 as of Oct 2026 — unchanged since Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

Also Read: 17 Rare Dollar Coin Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 1889 Silver Dollar Error List

The 1889 Silver Dollar has a solid lineup of die varieties cataloged under the VAM system — named after researchers Van Allen and Mallis.

These come from differences between dies at the same mint in the same year: doubled elements, clashed dies, unusual mint mark shapes. Several 1889 VAMs appear on the Top 100 and Hit List 40 lists, so variety collectors actively hunt them.

1. 1889 Pitted Reverse

Look at the reverse around “DO” in DOLLAR and up toward the wreath bow. You’ll see raised dots or bumps — that’s die deterioration transferring onto the struck coin as raised pitting.

The key pickup is VAM-28A, which pairs the Pitted Reverse with a Doubled Ear. It’s on the Hit List 40, making it one of the more collectible 1889 Philly varieties.

2. 1889 Doubled Ear

Multiple 1889 VAMs carry a doubled ear on Liberty’s portrait. Look for a second outline along the inner or outer edge of the ear — it’s usually caused by die fatigue.

Depending on condition, these run $50 to $120 in common mint grades, with MS-66 examples fetching over $1,000. VAM-18 and VAM-20 are the best-known examples.

3. 1889 Bar Wing

VAM-22 Bar Wing is a Top 100 and WOW! Morgan VAM — and it’s easy to see why. Flip it over and look at the eagle’s right wing. A dramatic die break cuts across the feathers like a raised bar.

This one can bring $100 to $2,000 in mint state depending on grade, with MS-66 or above fetching more. VAM-19A is a related variety that pairs the Bar Wing with a Doubled Reverse.

4. 1889-O Clashed E

Die clashes happen when the obverse and reverse dies smack together with no planchet between them. Ghost impressions from one die transfer to the other.

On the 1889-O VAM-1A, a partial incuse “E” from the reverse legend ended up near Liberty’s neck on the obverse. That’s how it got its name. It’s a confirmed Top 100 Morgan VAM and a fun cherrypick from New Orleans.

5. 1889-O Oval O

Most New Orleans coins have a round “O” mint mark. Not this one. On the 1889-O VAM-2, the mint mark looks noticeably oval or elongated — the result of a different punch being used on the die. It’s another Top 100 variety.

A subtle difference, but specialists pay attention. It adds a meaningful premium in mint state grades.

6. 1889-O Doubled Date

The 1889-O VAM-6 is listed as Doubled 18-9, O Set High — a Top 100 Morgan VAM. You can see doubling on the “1,” “8,” and “9” of the date where the digits were punched into the die more than once at a slightly shifted position.

The mint mark also sits higher than normal. This is one of three Top 100 VAMs from the 1889-O issue, alongside the Clashed E and Oval O.

 

Where To Sell Your 1889 Silver Dollar?

Ready to sell your 1889 Silver Dollar? We’ve put together a list of the best platforms for selling coins online — covering their key features, pros, and cons — so you can find the right buyer and get the best value for your coin.

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

 

1889 Silver Dollar Market Trend

Market interest: 26,170 collectors tracking this coin as of Oct 2026 — up 1,000 from Mar 2026. 12-month peak: 27,540 (Jan 2026).

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1889 Silver Dollar

1. What is the 1889 Silver Dollar?

It’s a Morgan Dollar struck at four mints — Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Carson City. George T. Morgan designed it with Lady Liberty on the obverse and a bald eagle on the reverse. Specs: 90% silver, 10% copper, 26.73 grams, 38.10 mm diameter.

2. How much is a 1889 Silver Dollar worth?

It depends on mint mark, grade, and surface designation. A Philadelphia example in Good condition averages around $84.00. A Carson City in the same grade averages $814.00.

At the top end, an MS-68 1889-CC sold for $881,250 in 2013. Proof DCAM examples average $14,483.33.

3. Which 1889 Silver Dollar is the most valuable?

The 1889-CC, no contest. Only 350,000 struck, 7.2% survival rate, fewer than 1,200 in any Mint State grade. The lone MS-68 sold for $881,250.

4. How can I identify which mint struck my 1889 Silver Dollar?

Check the reverse above “DO” in “DOLLAR.” A “CC” means Carson City, “O” means New Orleans, “S” means San Francisco. No mint mark at all means Philadelphia. That one detail can be the difference between a $30 coin and a $3,000 coin.

5. What makes the 1889-CC so rare?

The Carson City Mint was closed from 1885 until October 1889. It only operated for three months that year, producing just 350,000 coins. Most went straight into circulation, and many were later melted under the Pittman Act of 1918. Only a handful of Mint State survivors remain.

6. What are VAM varieties on the 1889 Silver Dollar?

VAMs are die variations cataloged by Van Allen and Mallis. The 1889 has several notable ones: Pitted Reverse, Doubled Ear, and Bar Wing from Philadelphia, plus Clashed E, Oval O, and Doubled Date from New Orleans. Several appear on the Top 100 and Hit List 40 lists.

7. How many 1889 Proof Silver Dollars exist?

The Philadelphia Mint struck 811 Proofs. About 235 standard Proofs survive, along with roughly 350 CAM examples. The DCAM is the real rarity — only about 15 are estimated to exist today.

8. What is the difference between a CAM and DCAM 1889 Silver Dollar?

Both are Proofs, but the contrast level differs. CAM (Cameo) shows clear frost-to-mirror contrast. DCAM (Deep Cameo) has a much more dramatic, heavy contrast. DCAM coins come only from the very first strikes off freshly polished dies, so they’re far rarer and more valuable.

9. Was the 1889-S Silver Dollar ever considered rare?

Yes. Until the mid-1920s it was one of the toughest Morgans to find. That changed when bags surfaced from San Francisco Mint storage in 1937 and the early 1940s. Today it’s scarce but obtainable in lower grades — though MS-65 and above remains genuinely difficult.

10. How do I find out the value of my 1889 Silver Dollar?

Check the mint mark on the reverse first, then assess condition honestly. Grade, mint mark, and surface designation are what drive the price. For a quick lookup, the Coin Identifier and Value App gives you a current value reference right from your phone.