The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar is a part of a spectacular coin series first minted between 1878 and 1904 for a total of 26 years. It was minted for the second time in 1921 and, lastly, in 2021.
Because of its peculiarities, the 1879 Morgan Silver has been on many coin collectors’ wish lists. These coins are referred to as “cartwheels” in the Old West due to their unusually large size and weight.
This piece examines in detail the value, variations, history, errors, and grading system of the 1879 Silver Dollar. It has virtually everything you need to know as a coin collector or numismatist.
The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Details
Let’s break down the intricate details of the 1879 Silver Dollar into different sections for easier understanding.
Obverse Features
On the “obverse” side of the coin, George T. Morgan, the currency designer, engraves a classic Greek sculpture to represent Lady Liberty.
Liberty, drawn with a more American facial structure and look, is depicted in a left-facing bust profile with a traditional Phrygian cap on her head. Looking more closely at the head of Morgan’s Liberty, the word “LIBERTY” can be seen engraved on the headband, with little flowers around it for decoration.
The Latin phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is engraved on the upper part of the coin with two centered dots separating the three words. On the left side of the coin, where Morgan’s Liberty faces, there are six stars, and on the right side, and seven stars on the left, making it a total of thirteen stars. These stars represent the 13 American colonies.
Lastly, below the Liberty sculpture is the year of issuance, “1879.”
Reverse Features
On the “reverse” or “tails” side of the coin is an eagle with its feathers spread out, clasping three arrows and an olive branch with its talons and the neck bent to the left. The olive branch symbolizes peace; surrounding the eagle is a wreath with a tiny bow just above the mint mark.
The phrase “In God we trust” is inscribed horizontally between the eagle feathers. Additionally, the words “UNITED STATE OF AMERICA” are etched along the upper rim, while the “ONE DOLLAR” phrase sits along the rim of the lower part.
Edge Features
This coin is rough at the edges because of the gear-like pattern surrounding the edge of the coin, commonly seen in coins of the 19th and 20th centuries. The mint mark, which tells where the coins were minted, is depicted in small letters under the wreath bow.
Not all 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar have mint marks engraved; this is only seen in coins struck at New Orleans, Carson City, and San Francisco Mints. The mint mark is engraved between the wreath and the “ONE DOLLAR” phrase, with the letter “O” for New Orleans, “S” for San Francisco, and “CC” for Carson City. If neither of these marks is on your coin, it simply means it was minted in the Philadelphia Mint.
Technicalities
Each 1879 Morgan Silver coin is made of 90% silver and 10% copper, with a weight of 26.73 g and a diameter of 38.10 mm.
Below is a summary of the coin’s information:
- Category: Morgan Dollars
- Mint: Philadelphia, Carson City, New Orleans, and San Francisco.
- Mintage: Over 25,500,000
- Obverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
- Fineness: 0.9
- Weight: 26.73 g
- Diameter: 38.10 mm
- Edge: Reeded
- ASW: 0.77344 oz
Also Read: Top 21 Most Valuable 2000 P Sacagawea Dollar Coin Worth Money
The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Coin Value Chart
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated Condition |
| 1879 “P” No Mint Mark Morgan Silver Value | $22.36 | $45 | $50 | $75 |
| 1879 “CC” Morgan Silver Value | $146 | $525 | $1,550 | $5,750 |
| 1879 “O” Morgan Silver Value | $24.83 | $45 | $50 | $120 |
| 1879 “S” Morgan Silver Value | $22.36 | $22.36 | $24.83 | $46.67 |
The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Value and Varieties Guides
The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar was struck at different mints, each having differing values, as we’ll observe below:
The 1879 “P” No Mint Morgan Silver Dollar Value
- Category: Morgan Dollars
- Mint: Philadelphia
- Mint Mark: None
- Mintage: 14,806,000
- Face Value: 1 dollar
- $ Price: $34–$68
- Obverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
- Weight: 26.73 g
- Diameter: 38.10 mm
- Edge: Reeded
The No Mint Morgan Silver Dollar has more circulation at 14,806,000 than other mint varieties. A No Mint Morgan Silver Dollar might get you a minimum of $34 or above in a circulated condition and about $28,500 in an uncirculated condition of MS 67 grade. There were also about 1,100 proof coins minted with no mint marks, which boast a much higher value.
If you lay your hands on exceptional copies of this coin, such as an MS 67 grade, you may sell it for up to $43,000.
The 1879 “CC” Morgan Silver Dollar Value
- Category: Morgan Dollars
- Mint: Carson City
- Mint Mark: “CC”
- Mintage: 756,000
- Face Value: 1 dollar
- $ Price: $150–$4,650
- Obverse Designer: George.T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George. T. Morgan
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% Copper
- Weight: 26.73 g
- Diameter: 38.10 mm
- Edge: Reeded
The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar coins minted in Carson City had the “CC” mark engraved right below the wreath on the reverse. The 1879 Morgan Silver coin with the “CC” mint mark was produced in low quantities. Hence, they’re very scarce to come across, implying higher value.
There were some problems with the mintmarks in Carson City, leading to two variants: “CC over CC” or “Clear CC” mint mark variation.
The “CC over CC” mint mark variation was caused by a rusty die that struck the coin making the mint mark more obscure. The Carson City-minted Silver Dollar is the most expensive Morgan Silver Dollar and the most sought-after by coin collectors. An 1879 “CC” Silver Dollar might get you $3,500 and above.
Two copies of the normal mint mark variety graded MS66+ are reportedly worth $290,000 each, while an MS65+ grade of the “CC over CC” variety may sell for $62,500.
The 1879 “S” Morgan Silver Dollar Value
- Category: Morgan Dollars
- Mint: San Francisco
- Mint Mark: “S”
- Mintage: 9,000,000
- Face Value: 1 dollar
- $ Price: $34– $63
- Obverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Composition: 90% silver and 10% copper
- Weight: 26.73 g
- Diameter: 38.10 mm
- Edge: Reeded
An uncirculated 1879 “S” Morgan Silver Dollar can be sold as high as $42,500 on the open market. An “S” mintmark denotes the San Francisco mint right below the wreath on the reverse/ tail side.
The Morgan Silver Dollar with the “S” mintmark has two variations: the 2nd Reverse and the 3rd Reverse. In the 3rd Reverse variant, the arrow feather held with the eagle talons had a slanted top, commonly called the Slanted top arrow feather with a convex breast. In contrast, the 2nd Reverse had a parallel top arrow feather with a concave breast.
The 1879 “S” Silver Dollar in an uncirculated condition is incredibly rare and can be valued higher than $40. One in an exceedingly higher grade condition can get you about $65.
There are also variants with a flat-breast reserve which is very rare, yielding a higher price. One such coin, graded MS66, reportedly sold for $63,500 in a 2005 auction.
The 1879 “O” Morgan Silver Dollar Value
- Category: Morgan Dollars
- Mint: Philadelphia
- Mint Mark: None
- Mintage: 2,887,000
- Face Value: 1 dollar
- $ Price: $34–$82
- Obverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Composition: 90% silver, 10% Copper
- Weight: 26.73 g
- Diameter: 38.10 mm
- Edge: Reeded
About 2,900,000 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar had the “O” mint mark, and it’s valued with nearly similar values as the 1879 “S” Morgan Silver Dollar. An uncirculated 1879 “O” Morgan Silver Dollar is valued at $25,000, while in circulated condition, it can be sold for about $34 to $82.
The best copies of this coin are of the MS66+ grade, with each costing a whopping $30,000.
Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Morgan Dollars Worth Money
1879 Morgan Silver Dollar History
Produced on March 11th, 1878, at the Philadelphia Mint, the history of the Silver Dollar is closely related to the economic history of the United States.
The 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar was created following the Bland-Allison Act. The Bland-Allison Act was proposed by Richard P. Bland, amended by Senator William B. Allison, and was later accepted by the Senate on February 28, 1878. The bill was created to facilitate the return of bimetallism, which involves using gold and silver as legal tender.
The Bland-Allison Act requires the USA Treasury Department to buy about 2 to 4 million dollars worth of silver every month at market rates and coin them into silver coins. The Act was supported by silver miners and people who believed the return of bimetallism would alleviate their debts.
In 1964, due to the Coinage Act of 1964, silver was eliminated from circulating coins. Instead, clad coins made from copper and nickel were used to produce dime, half, and quarter dollars.
The Morgan Dollar was created and designed by George T. Morgan. He was hired as an assistant engraver in the Philadelphia Mint when he came to the USA from England under the administration of Chief Engraver William Barber.
He became very successful at designing and later designed the 1879 Silver Dollar, the 1879 “schoolgirl” dollar, the 1877 “Morgan Half Dollar,” the 1882 “Shield Earring,” and the proposed 1876 $100 Gold Union Coin. He also worked with Charles Barber in producing the 1892–1893 Columbian Exposition Half Dollar.
The Peace Dollar series later replaced the Morgan Dollar in 1922 to mark the peace declaration between Germany and the United States.
Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Silver Eagles Worth Money
1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Grading
Grading is a crucial aspect to be familiar with as a coin collector because coins are graded using a standard — “Uncirculated,” “Extremely Fine,” “Fine,” “Good,” and “ Poor.” The category the coin falls in depends on the condition and certain important engravement still on the coin. This grade, in turn, determines the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar’s value.
Some 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar coins are also designated “DMPL” or “PL,” which signifies “deep mirror proof-like” or “proof-like.” These coin copies usually feature a visually appealing contrast between frosted designs and glossy areas and are valued higher.
Lists of 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Error
No coin is perfect, and the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Error is no exception. Do you have an 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar, and you are unsure if it’s genuine or an error?
Here’s a list of the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Errors and a YouTube video to further explain it.
1. 1879 Morgan Silver Capped Die Error
The Capped Die describes a disfigured mint mark on the 1879 “CC” Morgan Silver Dollar due to a rusted die cap. The rust in the die cap created a distinctive rust on the coins struck, making it obscure.
The “Capped Die” Silver Dollar is highly sought after by coin collectors, and in 2020 an MS65 grade was auctioned for $38,400.
2. 1879 Morgan Silver “S” Dollar Uncentered Broadstrike Error
This common error of the 1979 Morgan Silver “S” Dollar occurs when the planchet—due to bad positioning—strikes outside the coin collar. If this error causes part of the design to be cut off, it’s known as the “off-center strike;” it’s termed the “uncentered broadstrike” if the design is present.
The coins didn’t have retaining colors, so when they struck the planchet, the metal flowed out from it and wasn’t centered. An 1879 Morgan Silver “S” Dollar with Uncentered Broadstrike, graded MS64+, once sold at an auction for $3,800.
3. 1879 Morgan Silver “S” Dollar Partial Collar Strike Error
This occurs when the coin isn’t correctly placed in the striking chambers causing it to have a double rim on the reverse side. At an auction, a copy was sold for $325 in 2020.
4. 1879 Morgan Silver Passed Thru Upsetting Mill Error
This error happens when the Silver Dollar passes through the Upsetting Mill twice, which means that the planchet strikes the blank coin twice. It’s a reasonably uncommon coin; one copy sold for $8,225 in an auction in 2013.
1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Value FAQ
I have an 1879 Silver Dollar; how do I sell it?
There are several ways to go about this, but a large population sells to a local coin shop or eBay. However, it’s always advisable to confirm the coin’s value before selling; the 1879 “CC” Silver Dollar is valued at a higher price than the others.
Is the 1879 Silver Dollar valuable?
Yes, the 1879 Silver Dollar is one of the most valuable coins in American history due to its distinctive design, size, and weight. The average 1879 “No Mint” Silver Dollar is worth about $22.36 in good condition, and an 1879 “CC” Silver Dollar is worth about $146 in good condition.
Why is the 1879 Morgan Silver Popular?
The 1879 Morgan Silver is incredibly popular among numismatics and coin lovers or collectors because they’re among the oldest coins in circulation today.
Conclusion
Finally, we have reached the end of the discussion on the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar, commonly referred to as the ’cartwheels’ in the Old West. We’ve discussed the history, grading, errors, and peculiarities of the 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar in detail.
So, next time you come across one, hopefully, it’ll be a “CC” 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar. That way, you’ll be able to get a reasonable and fair price for it! However, be sure to have it professionally graded before selling it.