1884 Silver Dollar Value: Exploring the Worth of “O”, “S”, “CC”, and No Mint Mark Coins
The Value of the 1884 Morgan Dollar
The 1884 Morgan dollar is a captivating collectible coin that continues to appreciate in value. Depending on the minting location, these silver dollars can hold different prices. While rare and uncirculated specimens can fetch thousands of dollars, even the more common versions still sell well in the market and make for stunning additions to any coin collection. In this article, we will delve into the various prices of the 1884 Morgan dollar, uncover its intriguing history, explore the different minting houses, and discover why it is an excellent acquisition for coin enthusiasts.
1884 Morgan Silver Dollar Details
Image Credit: PCGS
To fully appreciate the 1884 Morgan Silver Dollar, here are some essential details:
- Category: Morgan Dollars
- Mints: Carson City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and New Orleans
- Mintage: 28,136,875
- Obverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Composition: Silver
- Fineness: 0.9
- Weight: 26.73g
- ASW: 0.7734oz
- Melt Value: $17.43 (9/2/2023)
- Diameter: 38.1mm
- Edge: Reed
Size and Measurements
The Morgan silver dollar boasts a generous diameter of 38.1 mm, making it larger than many other minted dollars. Its weight and size are particularly appealing to collectors, as they find it easy to handle and appreciate its excellent balance. Weighing in at 26.73 grams and with a thickness of 2.4 mm, this coin sports smooth grooves along its edges, encircling its entire circumference. Due to its unique size, it has been affectionately nicknamed the “Cartwheel,” slightly surpassing coins of similar types.
Mint
The 1884 Morgan Silver Dollar was struck in several mints that were operational at the time. These mints include Philadelphia, Carson City, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Each mint had its own distinct mark indicating its origin. Look between the letters “D” and “O” in the word “DOLLAR” on the obverse side to identify the minting house. Coins with a “CC” mark were minted in Carson City, while an “O” represents New Orleans. The letter “S” signifies San Francisco, and those without any mint mark were minted in Philadelphia. Not all mint marks hold the same value, as the quantities produced differed significantly, resulting in varying current prices. Over 14 million coins were minted in Philadelphia, nearly 10 million in New Orleans, only 3,200,000 in San Francisco, and a mere 1,136,000 in Carson City. Therefore, it’s wise to inspect the mint marks on your coins, as you might possess hidden treasures waiting to be discovered.
Obverse Side
The obverse of the coin, designed by George T. Morgan, depicts the face of “Lady Liberty.” During that era, it was deemed unacceptable in the United States to mint coins featuring a person’s face. Thus, the likeness on the obverse represents “Lady Liberty,” believed to be based on the statue of the same name. Adorned with two cotton flowers and wheat heads, this design symbolizes the vital role of agriculture in the United States during that period. The coin also features 13 stars, representing the original 13 colonies that led to the American Revolution and the birth of the United States. Completing the design is the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum,” meaning “One from many,” which further emphasizes the significance of the 13 stars as more states joined the union.
Reverse Side
The reverse side, also designed by George T. Morgan, showcases an American eagle with its wings spread wide. Clutched in its talons are an olive branch and arrows. The eagle, surrounded by a laurel wreath, symbolizes triumph. In the United States, the eagle has long been a symbol of strength, while the inclusion of the arrows and olive branch conveys a message of both peace and the nation’s readiness to defend itself against aggression. A colloquial term for this coin is the “vulture dollar,” as some interpret the eagle’s appearance as resembling a vulture.
1884 Morgan Silver Dollar Value Chart
Here is an overview of the value range for each mint-marked 1884 Morgan Silver Dollar:
| Mintmark / Year | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 No Mint Mark Morgan Silver Dollar Value (Philadelphia) | $19.41 – $22.00 | $19.41 – $22.00 | $21.55 – $24.42 | $39.49 – $44.74 |
| 1884 O Mint Mark Morgan Silver Dollar Value (New Orleans) | $20.61 – $23.35 | $20.61 – $23.50 | $22.58 – $25.58 | $39.49 – $44.74 |
| 1884 S Mint Mark Morgan Silver Dollar Value (San Francisco) | $19.41 – $22.00 | $22.58 – $25.80 | $39.00 – $44.19 | Rare |
| 1884 CC Mint Mark Morgan Silver Dollar Value (Carson City) | $60.00 – $107.00 | $76.00 – $126.00 | $103.00 – $133.00 | $159.00 – $276.00 |
1884 Morgan Silver Dollar Value and Varieties Guide
Now that we have a chart depicting the coin’s value based on the minting location and condition, let’s explore each case and provide information on the actual prices these coins have been sold for today.
1884 No Mint Mark Morgan Silver Dollar Value
Image Credit: Golden Eagle Coins
- Category: Morgan Dollars (1878-1921)
- Mint: Philadelphia
- Mintage: 14,070,875
- Obverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Composition: Silver
- Fineness: 0.9
- Weight: 26.73g
- ASW: 0.7734oz
- Melt Value: $17.18 (2/10/2023)
- Diameter: 38.1mm
- Edge: Reeded
Approximately 14 million coins were minted in Philadelphia, resulting in a widespread presence of 1884 Morgan dollars without mint marks. Therefore, even if you possess preserved and uncirculated specimens, they won’t fetch more than $50. However, it’s important to note that this is not the highest level of preservation for the coin. The “Gem Quality” grade, represented by the code MS65, raises the value to around $375. Additionally, there are more valuable “proof” and “mirror proof” coins, which are rarer due to significantly reduced minting quantities. Test coins can sell for approximately $750, while deep mirror-proof coins (MS65DMPL) may be valued at around $6,250. The rarest examples are the MS67 or MS68 coins, with the highest price ever paid for such a coin being $66,000 in 2022.
1884 O Mint Mark Morgan Silver Dollar Value
Image Credit: Currency and Coin
- Category: Morgan Dollars (1878-1921)
- Mint: New Orleans
- Mintage: 9,730,000
- Obverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Composition: Silver
- Fineness: 0.9
- Weight: 26.73g
- ASW: 0.7734oz
- Melt Value: $17.18 (2/10/2023)
- Diameter: 38.1mm
- Edge: Reeded
If your coin displays the letter “O” as the mint mark, it indicates it was minted in New Orleans. Interestingly, even though fewer than 10 million coins were minted there, their prices are nearly the same as those minted in Philadelphia. This is primarily due to the higher survival rate of New Orleans coins, especially in higher grades. For example, an MS65 coin fetches only around $265. In the MS67 category or higher, the coin population decreases, and you can find examples selling for around $6,000. The most expensive coin of this type, an MS68, was auctioned for $31,625.00 in 2005, and it is currently valued at $40,000.
1884 S Mint Mark Morgan Silver Dollar Value
Image Credit: United States Rare Coin & Currency
- Category: Morgan Dollars (1878-1921)
- Mint: San Francisco
- Mintage: 3,200,000
- Obverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Composition: Silver
- Fineness: 0.9
- Weight: 26.73g
- ASW: 0.7734oz
- Melt Value: $17.18 (2/10/2023)
- Diameter: 38.1mm
- Edge: Reeded
Slightly over 3 million coins were minted in San Francisco, and those bearing the “S” mint mark are considered the most volatile and rare, influencing their value significantly. An extremely fine coin from San Francisco is worth approximately three times more than its New Orleans or Philadelphia counterparts. Only 53 coins have been graded as MS63, commanding prices exceeding $50,000. There is only one known copy each of MS67 and MS68, valued at $735,000 and $900,000 respectively.
1884 CC Mint Mark Morgan Silver Dollar Value
Image Credit: Rob Paulsen Coin
- Category: Morgan Dollars (1878-1921)
- Mint: Carson City
- Mintage: 1,136,000
- Obverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Reverse Designer: George T. Morgan
- Composition: Silver
- Fineness: 0.9
- Weight: 26.73g
- ASW: 0.7734oz
- Melt Value: $17.18 (2/10/2023)
- Diameter: 38.1mm
- Edge: Reeded
The coins minted in Carson City, totaling just 1,136,000, have significantly appreciated in value within a short period. In 1941, these coins were auctioned for only $3 each. Fast forward to 2015, and their value had skyrocketed to $85,000. However, many Carson City coins remain in excellent condition as they never entered circulation. These coins were sold by the General Services Administration Treasury in the 1960s. Almost 9,000 coins have been graded as MS65, with a stable price of $600 each. The best-preserved example, an MS67, has surpassed $32,000 in value and has fetched over $150,000 at auction.
1884 Morgan Silver Dollar History
To truly appreciate the 1884 Morgan Silver Dollar, it is essential to understand its historical context. The introduction of the silver dollar came about because silver was losing value due to extensive mining for coin production. In 1873, a law was enacted to control the supply of coins and demonetize silver bullion. Consequently, all mints were ordered to halt production, causing uproar as many people were left with devalued silver coins that were no longer legally accepted as currency. This led to the inception of the Free Silver Movement, which prompted the passage of the Bland-Allison Act in 1878. This law obliged the United States Treasury to purchase between two and four million ounces of silver bullion, which could then be minted into currency. The Morgan dollar was introduced in 1878 as a tribute to George T. Morgan, the mastermind behind its design. These coins were minted until 1904, with a revival in 1921 at the Denver Mint, though only for that year. In 2021, a modern version of the coin was released to commemorate 100 years since its last production. These coins sold for $85 each and sold out within an hour.
1884 Morgan Silver Dollar Grading
Morgan Silver Dollar coins come in various grades and classifications. To help you identify a quality coin, we recommend watching the following video, which explains the different grades of this coin.
List of 1884 Morgan Silver Dollar Errors
No series of coins can be perfect, and the 1884 Morgan Silver Dollar exhibits various errors. Researchers Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis dedicated extensive study time to identify all the errors associated with Morgan Silver Dollars based on mint marks and die variations. These errors are referred to as VAM (Van Allen-Mallis) and can be classified into three categories:
1. 1884-P VAM-3
Image Credit: VAMWorld
The obverse side of this coin displays the date on the right, while both sides feature a large dot after the engraver’s initial “M.” An MS63-grade example of this coin was sold for $325,000.
2. 1884-P VAM-4
Similar to VAM-3, this variation features slightly smaller dots on both sides, with a deviation in their exact placement. An example of this coin was auctioned for $449 in 2019.
3. 1884-O VAM-6
This mint mark error displays the mark twice above the original “O,” with a slight shift to the left. In 2018, one of these coins was auctioned for $3,250.
Knowing the mint mark variations and errors can significantly impact the value of your coin. To learn more about minting errors and the different variations that can increase the value of your coin, we recommend watching the following video:
1884 Morgan Silver Dollar FAQ
How much is an 1884 Morgan silver dollar worth today?
According to the NGC Price Guide, a Morgan dollar can be valued between $30 and $63. However, it’s worth noting that these same coins have been sold on the open market for up to $34,500. The value can differ significantly based on the coin’s condition. Exceptional quality specimens can even reach nearly a million dollars in value.
How much silver is in an 1884 silver dollar?
An 1884 Morgan silver dollar is composed of 90% silver.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Prices and values mentioned are subject to market fluctuations and may vary based on individual circumstances. Please consult a professional numismatist or coin dealer for accurate valuation and investment advice.
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