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The 1879 Morgan Dollar is worth anywhere from $35 in worn condition to over $15,000 for rare mint-state specimens. This iconic silver coin is a favorite among everyday Americans who discover old treasures in family collections, offering a fascinating blend of historical significance and real financial value.
| Condition / Grade | 1879 (Philadelphia) | 1879-S (San Francisco) | 1879-O (New Orleans) | 1879-CC (Carson City) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good / Very Good | $32 – $35 | $32 – $35 | $32 – $35 | $250 – $350 |
| Extremely Fine | $45 – $55 | $45 – $55 | $48 – $60 | $1,100 – $1,500 |
| Uncirculated (MS60+) | $75+ | $75+ | $180+ | $4,500+ |
Identification and Initial Assessment of Your 1879 Silver Dollar
If you have found an 1879 Silver Dollar, the first step is to identify where it was minted. The mint mark is a small letter located on the reverse (back) of the coin, just above the “DOLL” in “ONE DOLLAR.” If there is no letter, it was minted in Philadelphia. If you see an “S,” it’s from San Francisco; an “O” signifies New Orleans; and a “CC” indicates the highly coveted Carson City mint. Identifying these marks is crucial because the location of production drastically changes the market price.
To get an instant professional opinion on your find, many people use a top coin identifier app to digitize their collection and get a ballpark estimate. The 1879 series was part of the early years of the Morgan design, which features Lady Liberty on the obverse and a majestic eagle on the reverse. Because these coins are 90% silver, they carry an inherent “melt value,” but their collector value is almost always higher than the raw metal price.
Using an app like CoinKnow can help you distinguish between a common circulation strike and a proof coin. While most 1879 dollars were intended for daily commerce, a few thousand Mirror-like Proofs were made for collectors of that era. Checking the luster and strike quality is the quickest way to see if you are holding something worth $40 or $4,000.
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The Massive Value of the 1879-CC Carson City Mint Mark
The “CC” mint mark is the holy grail for most casual collectors finding 1879 dollars. The Carson City mint produced significantly fewer coins than its counterparts in Philadelphia or San Francisco. Only about 756,000 of the 1879-CC dollars were minted, and many were melted down in later years. This scarcity makes even a heavily worn 1879-CC worth hundreds of dollars.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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When looking at the 1879 silver dollar value, the Carson City variant stands out in every price guide. If the coin is in “Uncirculated” condition, where the original mint frost is still visible and Liberty’s cheek has no scratches, the price can easily climb into the five-figure range. Collectors are particularly fond of these coins because they represent the history of the American Wild West and the Comstock Lode silver boom.
| Grade | 1879-CC Est. Value |
|---|---|
| VG8 (Very Good) | $285 |
| XF40 (Extremely Fine) | $1,450 |
| MS63 (Choice Uncirculated) | $12,500 |
| MS65 (Gem Uncirculated) | $45,000+ |
Determining the Grade of Your 1879 Morgan Dollar
Condition is everything in the world of numismatics. A coin that has been tucked away in a velvet box for 140 years will be worth significantly more than one that was carried in a gold miner’s pocket. Professional graders look for “wear” on the high points of the design. On the 1879 Morgan Dollar, these high points include the hair above Liberty’s ear and the tips of the eagle’s wings on the reverse.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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If these areas are flat and smooth, the coin is considered “Circulated.” If the fine details of the hair and feathers are sharp and appear “frosty,” the coin may be “Uncirculated” or “Mint State” (MS). You can check the 1879 Morgan Dollar MS price data to see how an increase in grade from MS63 to MS65 can double or triple the value of the coin.
Using the CoinKnow app can help you photograph your coin and compare it against a database of graded images. This “visual grading” is a great first step before you decide to pay for a professional service like PCGS or NGC. Remember, never clean your coins! Scrubbing a silver dollar with polish or a cloth will actually destroy its numismatic value, even if it makes it look “shining” to the untrained eye.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Special Varieties: The 1879-CC Capped Die
Among the 1879-CC coins, there is a specialized “Capped CC” variety that drives collectors wild. This occurred when the mint mark on the die was altered or “de-capped,” leading to a blurred or doubled appearance of the “CC” letters. These varieties are often discovered by everyday people using magnifying glasses or high-resolution cameras on their phones.
The Capped Die variety carries a premium over the standard 1879-CC. Because it is a recognized “error” or “variety,” it is highly sought after by specialists. If you notice that the “CC” looks thicker than usual or has a ghost-like letter underneath it, you might be sitting on a rarity.
| Variety Type | Circulated Value | Mint State Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1879-CC Normal | $300 – $1,500 | $4,500 – $35,000 |
| 1879-CC Capped Die | $400 – $2,200 | $6,000 – $50,000+ |
Why the 1879-O and 1879-S Are “Sleepers”
While the Carson City coins get all the headlines, the 1879-S (San Francisco) and 1879-O (New Orleans) are fascinating “sleepers.” The 1879-S is known for having a particularly sharp strike. Many of these were stored in bags by the Treasury Department and released decades later, meaning you can find them in beautiful condition today. They are an affordable way for a regular person to start a high-quality collection.
The 1879-O is slightly rarer in high grades compared to the “S” mint. It was the first year the New Orleans mint resumed production of silver dollars after the Civil War era, making it a piece of Southern numismatic history. If you find an 1879-O that looks like it has never been touched, it could be worth hundreds more than the standard silver price. It’s always worth verifying with CoinKnow to see if your New Orleans dollar has the “Proof-Like” qualities that increase its desirability.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Final Tips for Selling Your 1879 Silver Dollar
If you’ve decided to sell your coin, don’t rush to the nearest pawn shop. Pawn shops typically pay “melt value” or slightly above, which means you could be losing out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars in collector premiums. Instead, look for reputable coin dealers or auction houses.
Before selling, ensure you have a clear idea of the grade and the specific mint mark. Having your coin “slabbed” (certified and encased in plastic) by a third-party grading service is often worth the $30-$50 fee if the coin is valued over $200. This certification guarantees the authenticity and grade to potential buyers, making it much easier to fetch the full market price.
FAQ
Q: Is every 1879 Morgan Dollar made of real silver?
A: Yes, all authentic 1879 Morgan Dollars are composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. They contain approximately 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver. If a magnet sticks to your coin, it is unfortunately a counterfeit, as silver is not magnetic.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Q: How can I tell if my 1879 dollar has been cleaned?
A: A cleaned coin often has a “dull” or “unnatural” shine and may show tiny parallel scratches (hairlines) from being rubbed with a cloth. Original coins have a “cartwheel” luster where light rotates around the surface like the spokes of a wheel.
Q: Where is the mint mark on an 1879 Morgan Dollar?
A: Turn the coin to the back (the side with the eagle). Look at the bottom, just above the “D” and “O” in the word “DOLLAR.” You will see either nothing (Philadelphia), an “S”, an “O”, or a “CC”.
Q: Why is the 1879-CC worth so much more than the Others?
A: It comes down to supply and demand. The Carson City mint had a very low production run (mintage) compared to Philadelphia or San Francisco. Additionally, the “CC” mark is incredibly popular among collectors who love the history of the American West.