Top 25 Most Valuable Morgan Dollars, Key Daes & Conditional Rarities

Morgan Dollars, minted from 1878 to 1921, are among the most collected silver coins in the United States. Named after their designer, George T. Morgan, they have both historical significance and aesthetic appeal. While values can change due to market demand, rarity, and condition, some Morgan Dollars are highly prized by collectors.

Below is an overview of some of the most valuable Morgan Dollars, though the list is not exhaustive and market values can fluctuate:

Top 25 Most Valuable Key Date Morgan Dollars

1. 1895 Proof: Known as the “King of Morgan Dollars,” only 880 were produced, and no business strikes are known to exist. This proof-only issue is highly sought after and has been the subject of forgeries and alterations. If you come across one, it’s crucial to get it authenticated.
2. 1889-CC: This Carson City mint issue has a limited mintage of 350,000, making it one of the rarest in the Morgan Dollar series. Due to its scarcity and the mystique of Carson City coins, this coin often brings in high auction prices, especially in uncirculated condition.
3. 1893-S: With a low mintage of 100,000, this is a key date for collectors. It’s challenging to find this coin in high grades, and it has even been dubbed the “rarest of the rare” by some enthusiasts. The 1893-S is also often counterfeited or altered, so authentication is crucial.
4. 1884-S: Despite a relatively high mintage of 3.2 million, high-grade examples of this San Francisco issue are extremely hard to come by. Most entered circulation, making uncirculated pieces rare and very valuable.
5. 1892-S: Another San Francisco issue, high-grade examples are highly rare, which considerably elevates their value. Though over a million were minted, few survive in high grades, making it a cornerstone coin for collectors.
6. 1901: Most of these coins were heavily circulated or melted down, leaving high-grade examples exceedingly scarce. Known for the unique “micro O” variety, which features a smaller-than-usual mintmark.
7. 1880-CC 8/7: A fascinating overdate variety from Carson City. The coin was minted using a die that had an “8” punched over a “7,” making this an interesting and valuable variety highly sought by collectors.
8. 1885-CC: With a mintage of just 228,000, this Carson City issue is desirable for its scarcity and the allure of the CC mint mark. It’s especially valuable in uncirculated condition, and prices soar for versions with minimal marks and vibrant luster.
9. 1893-CC: The last year of Morgan Dollar production at Carson City, and with a mintage of only 677,000, it’s hard to come by, particularly in high grades. Its historical significance adds to its allure and value.
10. 1895-O: This New Orleans mint coin is extremely rare in high grades, with only a few known examples in MS65 or better. Even in lower uncirculated grades, it commands a hefty premium.
11. 1886-O: Despite a high mintage of over 10 million, finding this New Orleans mint coin in high grades like MS65 or better is a rarity, which adds to its value significantly.
12. 1893-O: With a mintage of only 300,000, finding a high-grade example is a collector’s dream. Often underappreciated due to the allure of the 1893-S, this coin is nonetheless rare and valuable.
13. 1903-O: For many years, this coin was considered one of the great rarities in the Morgan series until a large hoard was discovered in the 1960s. However, high-grade examples are still relatively rare and valuable.
14. 1881-CC: With a mintage of just over 296,000, this Carson City issue is prized by collectors. Many were stored in government vaults and later sold to the public in GSA holders, increasing its allure.
15. 1894: This is a key date for the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of only 110,000. High-grade examples are exceedingly rare, making it a cornerstone coin for any Morgan Dollar collection.
16. 1883-S: Although the mintage was over six million, high-grade examples are incredibly scarce. Most were heavily circulated or melted down, adding to its value in higher grades.
17. 1879-CC: Known for the “Capped Die” variety, this Carson City coin is highly collectible. With a mintage under 757,000, it is considered a semi-key date and is especially rare in high grades.
18. 1892-CC: With a mintage of 1.3 million, this Carson City issue is valuable, particularly in uncirculated condition. Its value has been on the rise, making it a smart investment for collectors.
19. 1894-O: A difficult coin to find in high grades. Though over a million were minted, most were poorly struck, which makes high-grade examples especially desirable.
20. 1894-S: This San Francisco issue is hard to find in high grades and is considered a semi-key date. With a mintage of 1.2 million, it’s not extremely rare, but finding a well-struck example can be a challenge.
21. 1904-S: This San Francisco issue has a relatively high mintage of over 2.3 million, but few high-grade examples survive. This scarcity in higher grades makes it a valuable coin for collectors.
22. 1878-CC: The first year of the Carson City Morgan Dollars, making it a historic and desirable issue for collectors. It also features several varieties, adding to its interest and value.
23. 1891-CC: Known for the “Spitting Eagle” variety, this coin features a small die defect near the eagle’s beak. With a mintage of 1.6 million, it’s not overly rare but is highly sought after, particularly in higher grades.
24. 1895-S: Though not as rare as its 1895 Philadelphia counterpart, this coin is a key date for San Francisco Morgans. It’s particularly hard to find in high grades, making it a valuable addition to any collection.
25. 1902-S: This San Francisco mint issue is hard to find in high grades. Though it had a reasonable mintage, most examples were heavily circulated, which makes uncirculated versions valuable.

Top 10 Conditionally Rare Morgan Dollars:

1884-S: Although not particularly rare in terms of mintage (over 3.2 million), finding an 1884-S Morgan Dollar in high grades like MS65 or above is exceptionally difficult. Most circulated widely, so high-grade examples are prized.

1886-O: With a mintage of over 10 million, this coin is common in low grades but extremely rare in MS65 and above. Even in MS63 and MS64, it becomes notably scarce.

1901: Although struck in reasonable numbers, most 1901 Morgan Dollars were circulated heavily or melted down, making them rare in high grades. The “micro O” variety in high grade is particularly elusive.

1893-O: With only 300,000 minted, finding this coin in high grades is a significant challenge. Despite its overall rarity, it becomes especially hard to find in grades above MS64.

1892-S: While more than a million were minted, finding one in high grades like MS65 or above is a challenge, and they can command premium prices in those conditions.

1895-O: Another New Orleans mint issue that is incredibly challenging to find in high grades. While circulated examples can be found relatively easily, uncirculated examples in high grades are exceedingly rare.

1904-S: With a mintage of 2.3 million, you’d expect to find many in high grades, but that’s not the case. Few high-grade examples have survived, making it a conditional rarity.

1896-S: Over 5 million of these were minted, but finding one in high grades is quite a challenge. MS65 and higher examples are exceedingly rare and command significant premiums.

1894-P: Despite a reasonably low overall mintage, what makes this coin a conditional rarity is the limited number of high-grade examples available. Many were circulated or poorly stored, making uncirculated, high-grade examples scarce.

1889-CC: This is generally a rare coin but becomes exceedingly so in high grades. With a limited mintage of 350,000, finding an example in grades like MS65 or above is nearly a numismatic miracle.

For each of these conditionally rare Morgan Dollars, collectors should pay close attention to aspects like strike quality, luster, and toning, as these features can significantly affect the coin’s desirability and value.

Factors Influencing Value:

1. Mintage – Lower mintage usually correlates with higher value.
2. Condition – Graded coins (MS/PR 60 and above) are more valuable.
3. Variety – Overdates, mint errors, and other varieties can increase value.
4. Provenance – Coins with known histories or from famous collections can fetch higher prices.

When buying or selling Morgan Dollars, it’s always advisable to consult with reputable dealers or numismatic experts for the most current market values and trends.

Choosing a knowledgeable and experienced professional in the market to help value and sell your estate coins can make a significant difference in achieving a successful transaction. With our expertise, transparent pricing, customized selling strategies, extensive network, and exceptional customer service, we are confident in providing you with the assistance you need to maximize the value of your estate coin collection and ensure a smooth selling experience. CashforCoins.net A leading Nationwide coin buyer, and numismatic estate settler.  Many choose us when they inherit a large estate collection, need assistance and hand holding throughout the process.   Feel free to us our nice free tools on the site like free instant offers for coins, free nationwide database of local coin dealers and lots of coin news and articles, Silver Coin Bids, Gold coin bids

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