The numismatic value of an 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar is not a single figure but rather a range determined primarily by the coin's mint mark and its physical condition, or grade. The mint mark, a small letter on the reverse side below the eagle's tail feathers, indicates where the coin was produced and is a critical factor in its valuation.
The most common variety is the 1879 Morgan Dollar struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which does not have a mint mark. With a mintage of 14,806,000, these coins are relatively accessible to collectors. In circulated condition, such as a Good-4 grade, one of these coins is valued at approximately $38. The value increases significantly with better preservation. For uncirculated, or Mint State, examples, a typical MS60 coin is worth around $60, an MS63 is valued near $95, and a high-grade MS65 specimen can be worth approximately $325.
A stark contrast is presented by the 1879-CC Morgan Dollar, struck at the Carson City Mint. This is a key date in the series due to its low mintage of just 756,000 coins. Consequently, it commands a significant premium. Even in an average circulated condition, an 1879-CC Morgan Dollar can be valued at over $600. The price for uncirculated examples climbs dramatically, with values potentially exceeding $17,000 for high-grade specimens.
Other mints, such as San Francisco (S) and New Orleans (O), also produced Morgan Dollars in 1879, and their values also fluctuate based on their respective mintage figures and the surviving population in various grades. Therefore, a precise valuation requires careful identification of the mint mark and a professional assessment of the coin's condition.
