Carson City Morgan Silver Dollars (1878-1893)
At Minuteman Rare Coin, we specialize in curating historically significant, valuable, and rewarding collections of Carson City Morgan Silver Dollars—a collection that will enrich your life and be treasured for generations!
Carson City Morgan Silver Dollars are arguably the most sought-after United States silver coins by collectors and investors around the globe.
Their value and desirability stem from their connection to one of the most iconic and legendary periods in U.S. history: the "Wild West."
Holding a Carson City Morgan dollar in your hand transports you back to the Wild West, a time filled with adventure, opportunity, danger, legend, and lore.
The "Wild West" was marked by gunslingers, dusty boomtowns, rowdy saloons, and the migration of hundreds of thousands of Americans in search of their fortunes.
Notorious outlaws like Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and Butch Cassidy famously robbed banks, trains, and stagecoaches for these precious coins!
Between 1878 and 1893, the Carson City Mint produced only 14 million Morgan Silver Dollars out of a total of 657 million Morgans minted at five different facilities over 27 years.
It is estimated that the "CC" mintmark appears on less than 2% of all Morgan Silver Dollars ever produced!
As a result, Carson City Morgan Dollars are highly sought after by collectors and investors worldwide, especially those in higher Uncirculated Mint State condition.
At Minuteman Rare Coin, our expertise will help you make informed decisions, choose the "right" coins, and steer clear of the pitfalls that many collectors and investors face.
When the first Carson City Morgan silver dollars began rolling off the minting presses in 1878, the eastern United States had become accustomed to federally issued paper currency, known as "greenbacks." Those in the West distrusted banks and government-issued paper currency, preferring gold and silver coins.
Carson City Morgan silver dollars circulated widely throughout the West, leading to low survival rates for certain issues in higher uncirculated Mint State condition, which is why they command premium prices.
Today, these coins are highly valued for their historical significance, rarity, and consistent price appreciation.
Carson City Morgan dollars generally fetch a premium over other Morgan dollars. However, there are exceptions for key and semi-key date coins in the Morgan series minted at various facilities.
The Carson City Mint closed in 1893 after the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase, marking the end of a legendary era in American coinage history.
THE COMSTOCK LODE
Carson City, Nevada, was an unlikely site for a United States Mint.
The U.S. Bureau of the Mint selected this location because of its closeness to the largest silver strike the world had ever seen, the renowned Comstock Lode.
Carson City was situated just 12 miles from the discovery. It developed as a boomtown dominated by large mining companies and later became the capital of Nevada.
In 1859, two prospectors dug a ditch to gather water in Six-Mile Canyon in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near a dusty little town called Virginia City when they realized they had found gold.
What they didn't know was that they had uncovered the largest silver vein the world had ever seen. The challenge was how to extract and coin all this raw silver ore into currency.
The nearest mint was over 200 miles away in San Francisco. Getting there meant crossing perilous territory inhabited by Native American tribes, facing notorious outlaws, and ultimately traversing the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
There was an urgent need for the U.S. Bureau of the Mint to establish a branch mint to bring coin production closer to the Comstock Lode's vast gold and silver mine.
In 1863, Congress authorized and approved the construction of the Carson City branch mint.
Yet, for unknown reasons, the Carson City Mint did not open its doors for operation until 1870, when it quickly began producing gold and silver coins.
The first Morgan dollars bearing the famous "CC" mintmark began rolling off the coin presses in late 1878 after the passage of the Bland-Allison Act.
KEY-DATE CARSON CITY MORGAN SILVER DOLLARS
1892-CC
1893-CC
1879-CC
1889-CC
1892-CC
This coin is among the most challenging Carson City dates to find in higher Mint State condition. Its low survival rate makes it elusive in Gem and higher-graded conditions.
Collectors and investors consistently show strong demand for this coin, as most of the mintage went directly into circulation.
Most 1892-CC Morgans in Uncirculated condition are in lower Mint State grades (below MS63), heavily bag-marked, and become rarer as one ascends the grading ladder into higher Uncirculated Mint State conditions.
Be sure to check out the details of the stunning 1892-CC Mint State 63 with a CAC green sticker that we are offering on our Coin Of The Day page.
This coin is an excellent addition to any Carson City Morgan Silver Dollar collection!
1893-CC
The 1893-CC is a highly sought-after coin and ranks third-rarest in the Carson City Morgan Dollar series. It marks the final year the Carson City Mint produced the Morgan Silver Dollar before its closure.
The best-known example of an 1893-CC is a single MS-66. It has long been a highly prized coin among collectors and investors due to its rich history, scarcity, rarity, and historical significance as the last Morgan dollar minted at the Carson City Mint.
1879-CC
Collectors and investors highly desire the 1879-CC Silver Dollar because it is one of the rarest Morgan Dollars minted at Carson City.
There are two distinct varieties of the 1879-CC: one featuring a rusted mintmark, commonly known as the "Capped CC," and the other with an unrusted mintmark.
Both varieties are highly sought after and challenging to locate, given their low survival rate and the limited number of certified Mint State coins exceeding MS-64.
Although the non-rusted version is more prevalent, strong demand from collectors and investors keeps the values of both varieties elevated.
Currently, only one non-capped example has been graded MS-66, and none has exceeded this grade. Similarly, no capped die examples have exceeded an MS-65 grade.
1889-CC
The 1889-CC is regarded as a significant rarity in high Uncirculated Mint State condition. It is often priced beyond the reach of many collectors and investors, and it rarely appears on the market.
Due to unknown controversial circumstances, the Carson City Mint temporarily stopped producing Morgan Silver Dollars in 1885 and resumed production in late 1889.
In 1889, only 350,000 Morgan Dollars were logged as minted at Carson City, with very few entering circulation.
Estimates indicate that between 250,000 and 325,000 of the 1889-CC Morgans were melted, making this coin one of the rarest in both the Carson City series and the entire Morgan Dollar series.
The 1889-CC Dollar is considered one of the key dates in the entire Morgan Silver Dollar series and is by far the most elusive Carson City issue, especially in Uncirculated Mint State condition.
Collectors and investors alike highly regard this coin. It presents an opportunity to own a true American rarity with exceptional potential for growth in value and price appreciation over time.
SUMMARY
Carson City Morgan Silver Dollars are iconic historical treasures known worldwide!
These authentic rarities from the late 19th century embody the adventurous frontier spirit of the "Wild West."
We highly recommend assembling and completing a 13-coin mint subset of Carson City Morgan Silver Dollars in the highest certified grades that fit your budget.
Completing this set is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. It stands as a formidable achievement for its proud owner and represents an exceptional opportunity for future financial rewards.
If you're new to rare coin collecting and investing, Minuteman Rare Coin is ready to assist you in assembling the most historically significant, remarkable, eye-opening, and valuable Carson City Morgan Silver Dollar collection that will enrich your life and be treasured for generations!