1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar comes from a series minted between 1878 and 1904 and is considered a favored collectible because of its distinct characteristics. It’s a beautiful coin and the fact that dollar coins are rarely used now adds to its intrigue.

If you are getting into coin collecting and want to know more about the piece, you’ve come to the right place. This will be your guide to the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Value to better understand everything you need about this amazing coin. Read on to find out more!

1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Chart

Coin Grade	Good	MS60	MS65	MS66
1879 No Mint Mark Silver Dollar Value	$35	$40	$450	$1,500
1879 CC Silver Dollar Value	$300	$3,300	$20,000	$64,625
1879 S Silver Dollar Value	$35	$40	$150	$320
1879 O Silver Dollar Value	$35	$100	$2,300	$10,000

1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Value by Mint Mark

1879 was the second minting year of the Morgan Dollar, which was named after George T. Morgan, the man who designed its reverse and obverse.

The piece replaced the Standing Liberty Dollar, and was made of 90% silver and 10% copper for increased durability. Each of the pieces had a 1.5-inch diameter and weighed under 27 grams.

Among the Morgan Dollars, the 1879 pieces are quite popular because these are easier to obtain, even in all grades. You can even find pieces in gem condition, and the date appears in MS67, but not that frequently.

Moreover, the mint state of Morgan Dollars may have “PL” or “DMPL” designations which stand for “proof-like” and “deep mirror-proof-like”. The designations are used for pieces that have exceptional detail.

1879 No Mint Mark Silver Dollar Value

The Morgan Silver Dollars minted in Philadelphia do not have mint marks and are still available even after nearly 150 years. The reason is that the coins are produced in huge numbers, as 14,806,000 were struck in the year 1879 alone.

Although most of these were melted down, acquiring uncirculated coins is still not that challenging. You can get hold of a nice sample that is XF45 for around $50.

All the circulated grades you want for this Philadelphia Mint issue are easy to find. However, a lot of lower-grade pieces end up in melting pots every time the value of silver spikes.

Today, you can find any mint state-grade coins, even at gem levels. However, pieces under the ultra-gem quality might not be so common and quite challenging to get hold of.

Generally, if you’re searching for uncirculated or mint state coins, expect to pay more for these. MS63 coins are worth about $150, while gem quality pieces, which are often graded 65 and higher, are worth more.

At MS68+, prices increase steeply when the number of coins shifts to double digits. Then for the finest samples graded MS67, these are around $43,000.

If you get your hands on exceptional samples like MS67 coins, you can likely sell them for up to $43,000. In auction records, one 1879 No Mint Mark Silver Dollar with a grade of MS67 was sold in 2006 for $47,150.

1879 CC Morgan Silver Dollar Value

This piece is an extremely popular date. It is one of the rarest CC-Mint Morgan Dollars around and has a charm of its own. Since it was minted in Carson City, it sports the “CC” mint mark beneath the wreath on its reverse.

These pieces with the mint mark were created in low quantities, and only had a total mintage of 756,000. This is why the 1879 CC Morgan Silver Dollar is very scarce and commands a higher value. Collectors from all over the world would love the chance to have a perfect 1879 CC Morgan Silver Dollar.

In 1879 there were issues with mint marks in Carson City, which led to two variants. These were the capped CC (CC over CC) or the Clear CC mark. Of these two versions, the non-rusted clear piece is the more common.

Rusty dies striking the coin is the cause of CC over CC mint marks. Although the mint mark gets more obscure, these coins demand a higher value, thus, making it the most expensive Morgan Silver Dollar. It is sought-after by a lot of collectors, so it could cost about $3,500 or higher.

Two copies of the regular mint mark version that are graded MS66+ are claimed to be worth $290,000 each. Then an MS65+ CC over CC variant could sell for about $62,500. A circulated CC dollar that is graded XF45 or extremely fine is worth $2,400. Hundreds of MS63 coins are around, but the demand for this mint mark makes them worth more than $9,000 each.

The finest known samples featuring a normal mint mark have a grade of MS66+. Two pieces have been graded this level and each of these is valued at $290,000. For capped die variants, none of these were graded finer than MS65+. There are five pieces known to exist at this level, and each of these is valued at $62,500.

1879 S Silver Dollar Value

The 1879 S Silver Dollars were minted in the San Francisco branch with a total mintage of 9,110,000. That means, the coins feature an “S” mint mark on the reverse. Its value is $36 when in good condition, and it gets to $38 in very fine condition.

In 1879, fewer pieces were minted in San Francisco compared to Philadelphia, yet prices for mint state coins are lower with this specific mint mark. The reason is that a large number of the coins were not released from the mint then and instead, were issued over the decade. Additionally, a lot of these were offered for sale in the 1960s by the Treasury.

Among the most common Morgan Dollars are the mint state-graded pieces. There are probably at least 750,000 to 1,250,000 MS60 to MS62 coins in existence. Those at MS63 are around 225,000 to 325,000, followed by the MS64 coins with 150,000 to 250,000. There are also 100,000 to 150,000 for MS65 or finer pieces.

Generally, the large supply of good-quality 1879 S Dollar Coins in the mint state helps keep prices modest. Even MS67 samples can only be worth around $1,100. However, it can barely compare to a Philadelphia coin of the same grade. The latter has a price tag of $43,000.

You can find both proof-like and deep mirror-proof-like coins in good numbers too. However, those deep mirror-proof-like samples are seven times scarcer than proof-like versions. In 2014, an auction record was set for this type of coin graded MS68+which sold for $32,900.

For proof-like coins, the 1879 S Morgan Dollars have tons of pieces in such conditions. These have great contrast, and there are likely 50,000 to 100,000 in existence.

The 1879 S Morgan Dollar is abundant in proof-like condition with good contrast, and there are probably 50,000 to 100,000 of these. DMPL coins are among the most widespread in the Morgan series but are six or seven times more scarce than standard proof likes.

1879 O Silver Dollar Value

You can find the “O” mint mark on 2,887,000 1879 Morgan Silver Dollars that almost have the same value as 1879 S Morgan Silver Dollars. Most 1879 O Dollars that are available on the market are average to above average striking detail. However, there are plenty of exceptions to either sharply detailed or side-weakly detailed pieces.

Most coins feature eye-catching frosty surfaces, and even if these have variations in mint mark sizes, most collectors are satisfied to have even just one 1879 O sample.

The 1879 O Silver Dollar is easily found in lower mint state grades ranging from MS60 to MS62, but it becomes slightly scarce at the MS63 level.

When it comes to MS64 grades, the 1879 O is extremely scarce. At the MS65 level, it is a candidate for a photograph and detailed description in auction catalogues. The reason is that there are only around 500 of these coins in existence.

There are many proof-like coins and most of these have cameo contrast. Most are in lower grade levels such as MS60 to MS62 and are heavily bag-marked, thus, making them look unappealing.

There are probably 2,000 to 4,000 known pieces existing, with 98% or more of them being less than MS65 PL. They become slightly scarcer at MS63, but the number of samples available is estimated to be between 20,000 and 30,000. As a result, the value is approximately $110.

Years ago, numerous AU coins that were dubbed “sliders” on the market are also proof-like. Deep mirror-proof-like pieces are approximately three times scarcer than proof-like variants. The record price for 1879 O Morgan Dollar coins is $29,900 for MS66 samples sold in 2005. Then in 2017, a deep mirror-proof-like sample with an MS65 grade was sold for $20,400.

1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Grading

The first thing that coin dealers and collectors check before purchasing a coin is its condition. It is based on how much of the original detail your coin retains and the amount of wear that is present. Each piece is graded on a system of 1 to 70.

If there is more detail and less wear, the value of the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar is higher. The ratings are preceded by MS (mint state) to grade coins used for circulation, or PR (proof coins) for rare pieces in perfect condition.

1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Errors

Like all other issued coins, some of the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollars have imperfections. In fact, this coin has a couple of popular errors that are even sought for by collectors. Below are the different errors on the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar:

1. Capped CC – Capped Die Error

The capped die error on the 1879 CC Silver Dollar is also known as the Capped CC. You can identify this error if you see a disfigured CC mint mark. It is caused by striking the coin with a rusted die cap, which creates a distinct rust that distorts the design.

2. 1879 Morgan Silver Passed through Upsetting Mill Error

This happens when the coin passes through the upsetting mill twice, resulting in the planchet striking the blank coin two times. An 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar with this error is uncommon, and in 2013, a sample was sold for $8,225.

3. 1879 S Silver Dollar Uncentered Broadstrike Error

This mint error is common on the 1879 S Silver Dollar. When the coin is not positioned properly, the planchet ends up striking outside the coin. As a result, it can cut a part of the design. Since the design is present, it’s called an uncentered broadstrike. These coins did not have retaining colors, so when the planchet was struck, the metal flowed out from it, resulting in an off-center design.

4. Partial Collar Strike Error

Partial collar strike errors are caused by the incorrect placement of a coin in striking chambers, forming a double rim on the reverse. A copy of an 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar with this error was sold in 2020 for $325.

1879 Morgan Silver Dollar – FAQs

1. What year is the most valuable Morgan Silver Dollar?

The 1893 S Morgan Silver Dollar is the most valuable piece that most collectors seek out to complete their set. However, these coins are difficult to acquire and are also considered the most desirable Morgan Silver Dollar struck at a branch mint.

2. What year silver dollars are pure silver?

U.S. silver dollars that are dated 1935 or earlier consist of 90% silver and 10% copper. These have a total silver content of about 0.77 to 0.78 troy ounces. However, silver dollars produced from 1965 and onwards are different and have a more complex composition.

3. Are Morgan silver dollars worth a lot?

The Morgan Silver Dollars, which were designed by George T. Morgan, were minted from the years 1878 to 1904. The coins are greatly valued for their rarity and beauty, so rare designs in mint condition can be sold for as high as $100,000 to $550,000.

4. What makes a Morgan silver dollar so valuable?

These were the very first silver dollars minted after Congress demonetized silver sets in the Coinage Act of 1873. Due to their silver content and size, these pieces are the most valuable silver coins. These were minted in the U.S. during the late 19th century and early part of the 20th century.

5. Should you clean silver coins?

Despite it being counterintuitive, you should avoid cleaning coins since doing so will significantly decrease their value. Even those with tarnishing, dirt, or toning should be kept as is and in their original condition.