Prices are high, and basically flat across the spectrum of circulated 1885-CC Morgans, a reflection of just how rare they are. A few key elements are easily recognized to help judge a premium collector Morgan dollar. Aesthetics and eye appeal are the evaluation of surface qualities and overall “look” of the coin.

What makes an 1885 silver dollar valuable?

MS 65 Uncirculated condition- There is strong luster and eye appeal. A few light contact marks are present but they are barely noticeable. With a mintage of only 228,000, the 1855-CC silver dollar is considered the rarest Morgan after the 1903-O silver dollar. Lady Liberty’s left-facing portrait wearing a Phrygian cap features prominently on the obverse of the 1885 silver dollar. Learning about the features of the 1885 silver dollar can help you quickly determine if your coin might be valuable. Assistant chief coin engraver, George Morgan, began drafting designs for the new silver coin in 1876, and by March of 1878, the coin’s production was already underway.

The reverse of the 1885 Morgan silver dollar

Philadelphia struck just over 305 million Morgan silver dollars of the total 657 million struck from all mints combined. These huge numbers are reflected in affordable values on the chart for most dates. Most years Philadelphia struck multi-million silver dollars, many years, tens of millions of coins. 1893, 1894, and 1899 are the scare issues matching low mintage years. Philadelphia issues are judge carefully to recognize high grade examples that break away from bullion value to collector premium values. Besides coins from the regular strike, the Philadelphia mint produced 930 Morgan silver dollar proofs in 1885.

Key to 1885 Morgan Silver Dollar Value is Judging Condition

San Francisco is the only mint that struck coins for circulation every year of the Morgan Dollar series. A complete date run of San Francisco variety dollars is a popular sub-collection. To complete the collection an 1893-S dollar is needed, the key high value coin to the series. 100,000 were minted, lowest mintage of any variety, all are highly sought.

Learn Precious Metals

Many 1885 silver dollars are valuable in circulated and uncirculated condition due to the coin’s silver content. But, proof silver dollars and uncirculated 1885-CC silver dollars are the most valuable in the series because of their scarcity. 228,000 Morgan silver dollars were minted in Carson City in 1885, making them valuable on the current coin market.

Are 1885 Morgan Silver Dollars Silver?

However this is just a minimum value representing how much a circulated-worn 1885 dollar is worth. Metal composition – You can hardly notice a difference in silver content with the naked eye. However, you can check your coin’s https://www.1investing.in/ magnetic characteristics since silver is not a magnetic metal. If the fake Morgan is made of aluminum, this test will fail. On the reverse, under the bow a “S” mark confirms the San Francisco mint struck the coin.

Computed from dealer’s price lists with various mark-up factors figured in. They reflect closely the value you would expect to receive when selling. Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons. Examples in mint states will fetch more, with one graded MS65 bringing as much as $1,600, while an MS68 specimen is worth up to $80,000.

Cotton leaves, blossoms, and wheat grains form a wreath above the hair and all fine edges of the design are without any signs of smoothing due to wear. This coin in circulated condition is worth at least its weight in silver. This melt value is calculated from the current silver spot price of $28.37 per ounce. The Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 increased the amount of silver the Treasury could buy, but a stock market crisis caused the Act to be repealed in 1893. The Mint stopped making the silver dollar in 1904 when the stockpile decreased. Morgan Dollar’s produced in 1885 are 90% silver to be precise, and contain .7735 troy oz or 24.05 grams in total of .999 pure silver.

Following the lead of collectors, examine the condition of your 1885 dollar closely. As you compare your coin to the images, a close match of its condition becomes apparent. This process determines the “grade” and using the above chart identifies an accurate value of your 1885 silver dollar. Preserve your 1885 Morgan silver dollar value, by careful handling and storage. Because of their large size, silver dollars can receive and inflict nicks and scuffs. For your top condition and value coins, a range of appropriate holders are found at an area coin dealer.

Today there is a wide range of common to rare coin values found in your box of old coins. From your old pennies to gold coins, all US coin series are covered. Check value charts, identify mintmark locations and judge condition using grading images… all combine to accurately discover the value of your old coins. Morgan silver dollars, as a series, are highly popular with collectors today.

1. Bags of 1885-CC Morgans appeared sporadically from the 1930s until the 1950s.
2. Collectors who pursue the many VAM (Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis) varieties may find several die variations to pursue from 1885.
3. A complete date run of San Francisco variety dollars is a popular sub-collection.
4. Preserve your 1885 Morgan silver dollar value, by careful handling and storage.

If your coin is listed with a large value jump from one grade to the next, having the coin graded by a service leads to certainty of value. If a mark, scratch, or rim model salary in india bruise is noticeable, it immediately lowers eye appeal. Above Liberty’s forehead many of the waves of hair are flat with only a few fine inner lines remaining.