Morgan Silver Dollars – Popular and Beautiful
November 30, 2008
It’s easy to see why Morgan silver dollars are among the most popular with coin collectors – and also why they’re some of the most valued. Their story blends with some of the most tumultuous times in western American history and Morgan silver dollars are some of the most beautiful coins ever minted.
Morgan silver dollars have gained in value over the years and that trend is expected to continue. The Carson City Morgans are highly collectible because the last cache of those minted has all been distributed and because lovers of American west history desire them – not only for their dollar value, but for what they represent.
You can purchase some Morgan dollars for several hundred dollars if they’re in extra fine shape. If the dollar is uncirculated, it can be worth several thousand dollars, depending on which year the coin was minted. The actual value of the Morgan coins depends on the condition they’re in, based on the criteria that the coins be clean and certified by a reputable grading service.
What Makes a Morgan Dollar Rare?
November 18, 2008
Silver contained in a Morgan silver dollar may only be worth a few dollars, but the rarity of the coin and date of its mintage or appearance may make the coin worth several thousand dollars.
Some Morgan dollars are graded DMPL (Deep Mirror Proof Like), designating that their legends and devices appear frosted (or mirrored). The level of a coin’s DMPL is rated from light to dark and are worth much more than their non-reflective counterparts.
Some Morgan silver dollars are more rare and valuable than others because there were very few minted. The 1889 Morgan CC (Carson City) is one of the rarest, with only 350,000 minted. 100,000 1893 Morgan Ss were minted in San Francisco -- and the rarest is the 1895 P (Proof) Morgan worth around $65,000.
Morgan silver dollars are also classified by varieties (VAMs) of dies used in minting them. VAM stands for the research of Van Allen and Mallis who researched Morgans minted from 1878 to 1904, 1921 and those minted from 1921 to 1935. They discovered about 6,000 VAMs.
Silver Dollars – For Collectors or History Lovers
November 13, 2008
United States silver dollars have long been prized by coin collectors, but they also have a background that’s valued information for lovers of American history.
Thomas Jefferson first proposed minting a silver dollar coin in 1785 and when Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton, projected a monetary system for the emerging United States of America, they began producing the coins, including the Flowing Hair silver dollar in 1794.
Silver dollars were minted in varying degrees of silver content until silver became scarce. When the incredible riches of Nevada’s Comstock Lode were discovered in the late 1850s, silver prices plummeted and the Treasury Department was required by Congress to begin producing silver coins. The Trade Dollar was minted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania specifically to improve trade with the Orient – mainly China.
Why Carson City Morgan Silver Dollars Are Highly Collectible
November 8, 2008
Carson City Morgans (CC Silver Dollars) demand an indomitable place in American history. After massive quantities of silver were discovered in the 1850s in Carson City, Nevada, the town built and maintained a mintage that produced what became known as the CC Morgans.
The Carson City silver dollars look the same as the Morgan dollars, with the face of Liberty and an eagle on the reverse side, but also display the double C mint mark on the reverse side. This fact makes it extremely valuable to collectors.
Millions of Carson City silver dollars were minted during certain years, but in other years only a few thousands were minted. As a result, Carson City silver dollars total less than one per cent of the total number of American silver dollars that were minted before and after them.
Tips for Buying Carson City Morgan Dollars
November 5, 2008
The historical and romantic Carson City Morgan silver dollar is also lovely to look at and a pleasure to hold. If you’re searching for one of these unique coins for your collection – or simply because you love it – there are some facts you should know to avoid falling victim to a fake.
Carson City, Nevada – a true Wild West town -- utilized the silver strike of 1859 to mint CC Morgan dollars. Like other Morgan dollars, the CC Morgans display the face of Liberty on the front and an eagle on its reverse side. Also on the reverse side is the double C (Carson City) mark which sets it apart from other Morgan dollars.
Be sure to consider the following tips before you purchase a CC Morgan silver dollar:
