Today’s coin enthusiasts prefer the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar because of its weight, beauty, and historical value. Since their widespread popularity in the 1970s, Morgan dollars have attracted the attention of collectors. These coins offer a piece of American history with their unique design, large size, and rich silver composition. Also, its aesthetic worth, the 1879 Morgan is particularly valued since it was produced during an important time in American coinage history.
After resources like the Encyclopedia of Silver Dollars made it simpler to study the series’ many variations, enthusiasts were often motivated to collect their whole Morgan and Peace dollar collections. The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollars unique features and high silver content make the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar a prized collectible, with values that reflect its scarcity and quality.
1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Value Chart
| Condition | 1879 No Mint Mark Dollar | 1879 CC Dollar | 1879 O Dollar | 1879 S Dollar |
| Good | $51 | $524 | $51 | $56 |
| Very Good | $56 | $552 | $56 | $59 |
| Fine | $62 | $580 | $63 | $63 |
| Very Fine | $69 | $633 | $69 | $65 |
| Extra Fine | $73 | $1,886 | $73 | $69 |
| About Uncirculated | $81 | $3,528 | $81 | $73 |
| Mint State 60 | $103 | $6,911 | $157 | $123 |
| Mint State 65 | $684 | $27,148 | $2,910 | $294 |
| Proof 63 | $4,531 | NA | NA | NA |
History of the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar
Although being too valuable to be used in regular transactions, Morgan silver dollars, which were minted between 1878 and 1921, are still accepted as legal tender in the United States. The Bland-Allison Act of 1878, which demanded that the Treasury buy an important amount of silver each month, giving rise to the Morgan dollar. By providing steady demand, this law was designed to maintain the economy and specifically help the silver mines in the West.
George T. Morgan, an English-born engraver whose design has developed to become one of the most famous in American numismatics, is the man with the Morgan dollar’s moniker. Morgan’s unique artistic style, which combined classical elements with patriotic American themes, appears in the 1879 silver dollar.
Types and Mintage of the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar
The 1879 Morgan dollar was minted across four U.S. mints: Philadelphia, Carson City, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Each mint produced a unique version, some bearing the mint mark “CC,” “O,” or “S,” with the Philadelphia mint coins having no mark. Here’s a quick breakdown of the 1879 mintage by location:
| Mint Location | Year | Quantity Minted |
| Philadelphia | 1879 No Mint Mark | 14,806,000 |
| Philadelphia | 1879 Proof | 1,100 |
| Carson City | 1879 CC | 756,000 |
| New Orleans | 1879 O | 2,887,000 |
| San Francisco | 1879 S | 9,110,000 |
In total, 27,560,100 Morgans were produced in 1879. Due to low mintage, the Carson City (CC) dollar stands out as one of the more coveted variations among collectors.
Design Features of the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar
Obverse (Front)
The obverse side of the 1879 Morgan dollar shows a portrait of Lady Liberty, facing left, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (Latin for “Out of Many, One”) inscribed around the top edge. Liberty’s hair is styled with intricate details, with a headband inscribed with “LIBERTY” visible along her forehead. Surrounding her image are thirteen stars representing the original colonies, along with the mint year “1879” at the bottom.
Reverse (Back)
The reverse side shows a detailed eagle with spread wings, holding an olive branch and arrows to represent peace and strength. The eagle is surrounded by a wreath, with the motto “In God We Trust” inscribed above. Encircling the design are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR.”
Specifications
The 1879 Morgan dollar is a heavy, round coin. There are the following specifications:
- Face Value: $1
- Metal Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
- Diameter: 1.5 inches (38.1 mm)
- Thickness: 0.09449 inches (2.4 mm)
- Total Weight: 0.8594 troy ounces (26.73 grams)
- Silver Weight: 0.77344 troy ounces (24.5 grams)
- Edge: Reeded
1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Value by Grade
The value of an 1879 Morgan silver dollar depends significantly on its grade, as determined by the Sheldon grading scale. This scale ranges from 1 (basal state) to 70 (perfect mint state). Collectors can expect higher values for well-preserved pieces, with mint-state coins and proof-like varieties fetching a premium.
For example:
- Good to Very Fine: Typical circulated 1879 Morgan dollars in grades like Good to Very Fine can range from around $50 to $70.
- Mint State (60 to 65): Coins in uncirculated, or Mint State condition, begin at around $100 and can go up to several hundred dollars.
- Proof 63: A rare 1879 proof Morgan dollar is valued at $4,500 or higher.
Notable 1879 Morgan Dollar Mint Mark Variations
- Philadelphia (No Mint Mark): Philadelphia’s coins, the highest mintage in 1879, are more common. Their values range from $36 to $38,500, with proof-like coins valued at around $2,500.
- Carson City (CC): The Carson City dollars, with a low mintage of 756,000, are highly prized. Circulated examples start at $190, with Mint State specimens reaching $125,000. The CC “Capped Die” error is particularly valuable, fetching prices up to $120,000 in DMPL (Deep Mirror Proof-Like) condition.
- New Orleans (O): Coins from New Orleans saw a higher mintage of 2,887,000 but remain desirable. In circulated grades, they are valued at around $36 to $135, while pristine examples in MS 66 can exceed $12,000.
- San Francisco (S): The San Francisco mint produced 9.1 million coins, including a “Reverse of 1878” variant. Prices for these coins vary significantly based on quality, with proof-like and DMPL versions fetching premiums.
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Notable 1879 Morgan Dollar Errors
- Capped Die Error (CC): A famous error resulting from a die cap rust, creating a blurred “CC” mint mark. These coins are valuable, ranging from $160 in circulated grades to $60,000 for the top-condition DMPL variety.
- Reverse of 1878 (S Mint): The “Reverse of 1878” variety for the 1879 S Morgan dollar is another sought-after error, with values ranging from $60 in lower grades to as high as $50,000 for the highest-quality DMPL specimens.
The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar stands as a testament to American history and design. Its variety of mint marks, beautiful design, and historical value made it an enduring favorite for collectors.