1879-O Morgan Silver Dollar Value: What Is It Worth Today?

The 1879-O Morgan Dollar is worth anywhere from $35 in worn condition to over $35,000 for rare, high-grade specimens. Finding one of these heavy silver coins in an old collection is exciting, as the “O” mint mark signifies its origin from the historic New Orleans Mint.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
Good (G4) to Very Good (VG8)	$35 – $42
Fine (F12) to Very Fine (VF20)	$45 – $55
Extremely Fine (EF40)	$65 – $80
About Uncirculated (AU50)	$110 – $150
Uncirculated (MS60+)	$400 – $35,000+

The History and Appeal of the 1879-O Morgan Dollar

If you have just discovered a large silver coin with a lady’s profile on the front, you might be holding a piece of American history. The 1879-O Morgan Dollar was produced during the second year of the Morgan series, which ran until 1904 (and again in 1921). Using a top coin identifier app can help you confirm if your coin has the “O” mark, representing New Orleans.

The New Orleans Mint had been closed since the start of the Civil War and only reopened for silver dollar production in 1879. Because this was the first year back in action, the quality of the strike can vary wildly. Many of these coins were stored in Treasury bags for decades, leading to “bag marks” or scratches on the surface.

To get an instant look at your coin’s potential, you can use the CoinKnow app, which uses image recognition to scan your silver dollar. It provides immediate feedback on whether your coin is a common circulation piece or a rare treasury find. Collectors value the 1879-O because it represents the post-war industrial boom of the American South.

Identifying the New Orleans Mint Mark

To determine the 1879-O Morgan Dollar value, you must first verify where the coin was made. Flip the coin to the reverse side (the tail side) and look at the bottom, just above the “D” and “O” in the word “DOLLAR.” If you see a small “O,” it was minted in New Orleans. If there is no letter at all, it was minted in Philadelphia.

The presence of the “O” is significant because New Orleans strikes from this era are often “soft.” This means the details on Lady Liberty’s hair or the eagle’s breast feathers might look a bit flat, even if the coin didn’t circulate much. Professional collectors looks at these details closely to determine the final price.

If you are unsure about what you are looking at, CoinKnow allows you to zoom in on high-quality photos. This helps you distinguish between a genuine mint mark and a simple scratch or piece of dirt. Knowing the mint mark is the first step in understanding the 1879 silver dollar value for your specific coin.

Grading Your 1879 New Orleans Silver Dollar

Condition is everything in the world of numismatics. A coin that has been sitting in a pocket for years will be worth significantly less than one that stayed in a velvet-lined box. For the 1879-O, the jump in price between “About Uncirculated” and “Mint State” is massive.

When grading, look at the highest points of the coin: the hair above Liberty’s ear and the eagle’s breast. If these areas are smooth and shiny, the coin is likely in high grade. If the details are worn away or look “mushy,” the coin has seen heavy circulation. Most found coins fall into the “Fine” or “Very Fine” categories.

Grade Designation	Visual Description	Typical Price
Very Fine (VF)	Moderate wear; hair lines visible but faint.	$48 – $55
Extremely Fine (XF)	Light wear on high points; sharp details.	$65 – $85
About Uncirculated (AU)	Traces of wear only; original mint luster.	$115 – $160
Mint State (MS63)	No wear; attractive luster; some marks.	$750 – $950

Determining if Your Coin is a Rare Variety

While most 1879-O Morgan Dollars follow standard pricing, there are specific varieties that can skyrocket in value. One of the most famous is the “1879-O over CC” variety. Occasionally, the New Orleans mint used dies that were originally intended for the Carson City mint.

If you look at the mint mark under a magnifying glass (or use the macro lens feature in CoinKnow), you might see faint traces of a “CC” underneath the “O.” These are incredibly rare and highly sought after by specialists. A variety like this can turn a hundred-dollar coin into a thousand-dollar treasure.

Another factor is the “luster.” New Orleans coins are known for a “baggy” or “satiny” look rather than a proof-like mirror finish. Finding an 1879-O with exceptional eye appeal is difficult. You can check current 1879-O Morgan Dollar auction results to see how much premium collectors pay for these rare visual characteristics.

The Impact of Silver Content on Value

Even if your 1879-O Silver Dollar is in terrible condition—perhaps it has been cleaned, scratched, or even used as jewelry—it still has a “floor” value. This is because George T. Morgan’s design is struck in 90% silver and 10% copper. Each coin contains approximately 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver.

As the price of silver fluctuates on the global market, so does the “melt value” of your coin. If silver is at $25 an ounce, your coin has roughly $19 worth of raw metal. However, because Morgan Dollars are so popular with collectors, they almost always sell for a premium over their melt value.

Never clean your silver dollars! Many beginners think that making a coin look shiny and new increases its value. In reality, chemical cleaning removes the delicate “cartwheel” luster of the silver, which can slash the coin’s collector value by 50% or more. Keep it in the condition you found it.

Metal Component	Percentage	Weight in Ounces
Pure Silver	90%	0.7734 oz
Copper (for durability)	10%	0.0859 oz
Total Weight	100%	26.73 grams

Where to Sell Your 1879-O Silver Dollar

If you have used CoinKnow to identify your coin and determined it has significant value, you have several options for selling. Local coin shops are the fastest way to get cash, though they usually pay 60-80% of the retail value so they can make a profit on the resale.

Online auctions like eBay are popular for mid-range coins ($50–$500). If your coin is in a plastic “slab” from a grading service like PCGS or NGC, it will sell for much more because the buyer is guaranteed of its authenticity and grade. For high-value coins (MS65 or higher), major auction houses are the best route.

Always compare your coin to recently sold items rather than “active listings.” Just because someone is asking $1,000 for their coin doesn’t mean it’s worth that. Look for “Sold” prices to get a realistic view of what everyday Americans are actually paying for the 1879 New Orleans Morgan Dollar today.

FAQ

Q: Is the 1879-O Morgan Dollar rare?

A: It is considered a semi-common date. Over 2.8 million were minted. While it isn’t as rare as a Carson City Morgan, it is much harder to find in high “uncirculated” grades than the Philadelphia version of the same year.

Q: Does my coin have to be professionally graded to be valuable?

A: No, but it helps. If your coin is worth more than $200, paying for professional grading (PCGS/NGC) is usually worth the investment. For common, circulated coins worth $40-$60, the grading fees might be more than the coin itself.

Q: Why is there an “O” on my silver dollar?

A: The “O” stands for the New Orleans Mint. This facility was vital for distributing currency in the South during the late 19th century. New Orleans mint marks are highly collectible because the mint eventually closed permanently in 1909.

Q: How can I tell if my 1879-O is a fake?

A: Real Morgan Dollars weigh 26.73 grams and are not magnetic. If your coin sticks to a magnet or feels very light, it is likely a counterfeit. To be sure, use an app like CoinKnow or take it to a reputable local dealer for a physical inspection.