Design and Specifications of the Morgan Dollar

The Morgan Dollar, named after its designer George T. Morgan, was created following the Coinage Act of 1873. It played a significant role in American economic history, particularly in the ‘Free Silver’ movement. The coin’s production resumed briefly in 1921 before being replaced by the Peace Dollar.
Weight 26.73 grams
Diameter 38.1 mm
Mint Marks Philadelphia (no mark), New Orleans (O), San Francisco (S), Carson City (CC), Denver (D)
Composition 90% silver, 10% copper
Obverse Design Left-facing profile of Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap, designed by George T. Morgan
Reverse Design Eagle with spread wings holding arrows and an olive branch, designed by George T. Morgan
Years of Minting 1878-1904, 1921

Collectibility and Rare Varieties

The condition of Morgan Dollars significantly impacts their value, with uncirculated specimens commanding premium prices. Notable errors like the 1888-O ‘Hot Lips’ variety or the 1879-CC ‘Capped Die’ can greatly increase a coin’s rarity and value. The Carson City mint marks are generally more desirable due to lower mintages and historical significance.
1895 12,000 minted (proof only); extremely rare and valuable
1893-S 100,000 minted; one of the rarest dates in the series
1903-O 4,450,000 minted; once considered rare but hoards were discovered
1889-CC 350,000 minted; highly sought after due to low mintage
1921 Peace 1,006,473 minted; notable as a transitional year coin

Explore Morgan Dollar Values by Year

1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1921

Most Valuable Morgan Dollar

This section highlights the most valuable coins in the series, based on PCGS price guides. The table shows price ranges for each coin in various conditions.

Coin Name Circulated Price Uncirculated Price
1921 Dollar Morgan (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $125.00 –
1878-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $36.00 – $94.00 –
1886 Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $90.00 –
1889 Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $72.00 –
1885 Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1921-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $77.00 –
1893-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $2,150.00 – $160,000.00 –
1896 Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $125.00 –
1878-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $140.00 – $485.00 –
1900 Dollar (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $210.00 –
1879 Dollar (Regular Strike) $36.00 – $80.00 –
1882 Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $78.00 –
1880-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1889-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $550.00 – $24,000.00 –
1901 Dollar (Regular Strike) $40.00 – $2,850.00 –
1883-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $90.00 – $295.00 –
1884-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1893 Dollar (Regular Strike) $160.00 – $1,425.00 –
1890 Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1881-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1899 Dollar (Regular Strike) $115.00 – $280.00 –
1921-D Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1881 Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1891 Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $90.00 –
1880 Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1895 Dollar (Proof) $28,500.00 – $65,000.00 –
1883-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1902 Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $140.00 –
1898 Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $100.00 –
1888 Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $80.00 –
1887 Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1904 Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $475.00 –
1884-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $120.00 – $305.00 –
1890-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $125.00 –
1885-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1879-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $73.00 –
1901-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1897 Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $850.00 –
1899-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1880-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $140.00 –
1886-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $675.00 –
1879-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $180.00 – $5,250.00 –
1892-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $45.00 – $26,500.00 –
1884 Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1885-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $550.00 – $1,000.00 –
1900-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1881-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $250.00 – $585.00 –
1890-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $140.00 – $740.00 –
1893-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $275.00 – $5,750.00 –
1891-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $245.00 –
1896-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $36.00 – $875.00 –
1903 Dollar (Regular Strike) $44.00 – $115.00 –
1883-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $37.00 – $900.00 –
1887-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $39.00 – $120.00 –
1882-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $115.00 – $325.00 –
1904-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $175.00 –
1890-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1891-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $140.00 – $685.00 –
1883 Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1881-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $73.00 –
1889-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $39.00 – $290.00 –
1892 Dollar (Regular Strike) $38.00 – $375.00 –
1895-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $275.00 – $5,150.00 –
1900-O/CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $80.00 – $575.00 –
1888-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $85.00 –
1880-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $185.00 – $615.00 –
1894 Dollar (Regular Strike) $600.00 – $3,650.00 –
1882-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $125.00 –
1882-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $39.00 – $74.00 –
1884-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $39.00 – $4,350.00 –
1893-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $185.00 – $3,600.00 –
1892-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $39.00 – $390.00 –
1879-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $36.00 – $135.00 –
1895-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $200.00 – $8,250.00 –
1888-O Dollar VAM 1B Scarface (Regular Strike) – $5,500.00 – $20,000.00
1897-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $750.00 –
1898-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $125.00 –
1902-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $30.00 – $70.00 –
1894-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $55.00 – $1,050.00 –
1903-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $75.00 – $4,500.00 –
1886-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $55.00 – $360.00 –
1888-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $90.00 – $400.00 –
1889-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $50.00 – $285.00 –
1901-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $37.00 – $685.00 –
1892-CC Dollar (Regular Strike) $140.00 – $1,715.00 –
1896-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $2,400.00 –
1903-O Dollar (Regular Strike) $315.00 – $710.00 –
1885-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $37.00 – $375.00 –
1887-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $37.00 – $160.00 –
1904-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $47.00 – $3,200.00 –
1897-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $37.00 – $115.00 –
1894-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $60.00 – $1,025.00 –
1899-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $32.00 – $610.00 –
1891-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $34.00 – $145.00 –
1888-O Dollar VAM 4 Hot Lips TOP 100 (Regular Strike) $90.00 – $6,750.00 –
1879 Dollar (Proof) $775.00 – $1,800.00 –
1900-S Dollar (Regular Strike) $37.00 – $440.00 –
1921-S Dollar, PL (Regular Strike) – $1,050.00 – $29,000.00
1879-S Dollar Reverse of 1878 (Regular Strike) $65.00 – $560.00 –
1882-O/S Dollar Strong (Regular Strike) $45.00 – $235.00 –
1878 8TF Dollar (Regular Strike) $45.00 – $280.00 –

Sharing is caring!

Chris McPherson is a lifelong collector turned shop owner who opened ChrisMcPherson's Souvenir Shop in 2005. With over 20 years as a professional antique dealer and appraiser, Chris expertly curates a selection of the most unique political, pop culture, and historic collectibles available. His passion is hunting one-of-a-kind artifacts and sharing the fascinating stories behind them. Chris graduated with a BA in American History, informing his specialty in political memorabilia. As a seasoned antique hunter, Chris utilizes his skills to deliver an ever-changing inventory of must-see relics and conversation pieces to his shop.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *