The Secrets to Selling Morgan Silver Dollars Like a Coin Dealer (2024)

The purpose of today’s article is to provide you with insight that only coin dealers typically possess so that you can sell Morgan silver dollars like a pro. While we’re probably not going to make any friends within the industry by sharing this information, we thought that it is important to share, not only because we believe in complete transparency, but also so that you can sell your Morgan silver dollar coins for more – no matter where you are or who you choose to do business with.

The first tidbit of information that we wanted to share is that not all Morgan silver dollars are created alike. This means that some silver dollars are lower mintage or rare coins, while others are common date coins. Furthermore, even common date Morgan silver dollars in high-end condition can sell for a nice premium due to the quality (or lack thereof) of the Morgan silver dollars minted by a particular mint in a certain year.

As a bit of history, Morgan Silver Dollars are 90% silver coins designed by George T Morgan. They were minted from 1878 – 1904, and again in 1921 at several different mint locations, including San Francisco, New Orleans, Denver, Carson City, and Philadelphia.

You can identify the mint location by searching for a “mint mark” on the bottom of the reverse side of the coin. Coins minted in San Francisco are identified by an “S” mint mark, New Orleans with an “O,” Denver with a “D” and Carson City with a “CC.” Coins minted in Philadelphia don’t contain a mint mark.

We’ll share some insight on Morgan silver dollars produced at each of the above-mentioned mints and will begin our discussion with Carson City silver dollars, the most recognized and popular Morgan silver dollars in the market today.

Carson City

All coins minted at the Carson City Mint are lower mintage coins that sell at a premium. The lowest mintage Carson City coins, which in turn are the most valuable silver dollars, are those minted in 1885, 1889, and 1893. These rare Morgan silver dollar coins can sell for as much as $1,000 if high-end condition. It’s important to properly preserve these coins, as the prices are directly proportional to the condition of the coins.

The Carson City Mint produced coins until 1893, was used as an assay office until 1933, and was subsequently sold to the State of Nevada. It now operates as a museum, which has become a popular tourist destination.

Some of the most popular and collected Carson City coins are GSA Carson City Morgan silver dollars. These are uncirculated Morgan dollars that were found as a hoard at the New York Federal Reserve. The government approved the sale of these coins to the public in 1970 and they were subsequently auctioned off from 1972 – 1974.

The Secrets to Selling Morgan Silver Dollars Like a Coin Dealer (1)

New Orleans

Most New Orleans minted coins, with the exception of those minted from 1893, 1895, and 1903 are common date coins. These coins, in general, are less valuable than Carson City coins but can sell for hundreds of dollars if in high-end condition. As with the Carson City silver dollars, the value of these coins is based on the coin’s condition, so proper care should be taken to preserve these coins.

The New Orleans Mint, along with the Carson City Mint, is no longer in operation. It was decommissioned in 1911 and currently serves as a museum. The other mints that we have highlighted in this piece are all still active mints.

The Secrets to Selling Morgan Silver Dollars Like a Coin Dealer (2)

San Francisco

The San Francisco mint was known for producing a lower quantity of silver dollars than the New Orleans, Denver, and Philadelphia mints. As such, there are several years in which these coins had a mintage of 1.5 million coins or less. All of these coins will sell at a bit of a premium due to the lower number of coins produced.

Years in which San Francisco issued Morgan silver dollars were produced with mintages of 1,500,000 or less include: 1886, 1888, 1889, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1902 and 1903.

The 1893-S Morgan silver dollar is the second-lowest minted Morgan silver dollar, with a production of only 100,000 coins. Not surprisingly, it’s also the second most valuable coin in the Morgan silver dollar series, with values exceeding $1,000, even in poor condition.

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Philadelphia

The Philadelphia mint, in general, produced more silver dollars than the other mints; therefore, it’s common for most of your silver dollars to not contain a mint mark. However, as with the other mints discussed thus far, there are some lower mintage/key date coins that sell for a premium.

Lower mintage Philadelphia issued silver dollars include: 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1899. While there are only a few key date Philadelphia minted silver dollars, Philadelphia is home to the most valuable Morgan silver dollar in existence.

The 1895 Morgan silver dollar, which is a proof coin, is the lowest minted Morgan silver dollar with a production run of only 880 coins. Even lower condition examples of this coin can sell for $10,000 or more. Considering the high value and propensity for these coins to be counterfeited, we recommend that you only consider purchasing graded coins when it comes to this iconic coin.

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Denver

The last mint that produced Morgan silver dollars is the Denver mint, but they only began minting silver dollars in 1921. More than twenty million Morgan silver dollars were produced by the Denver mint in 1921, making this one of the highest minted Morgan silver dollars. As such, these coins tend to trade at silver bullion rates and only sell at a premium when in uncirculated condition.

Values tend to increase when these coins are certified by a reputable third-party grading service, such as NGC or PCGS. In particular, the San Francisco and Denver coins are difficult to find in higher-end condition and can sell for hundreds of dollars in a grade of MS65 or higher.

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In Summary

To round out our discussion today, there are a few examples of highly minted coins that sell for a fairly substantial premium in uncirculated condition due to the poor strikes from that particular year. Examples include the 1883-S, 1884-S, 1886-O, 1896-O, 1896-S, 1897-O, 1898-S, 1899-S, 1900-S, 1901, 1901-S and 1904-S. As you can see, the San Francisco mint had a reputation for producing some less than stellar examples of Morgan silver dollars.

Many of the same principles that we discussed with the Morgan silver dollar also apply to Peace dollars. However, unlike the Morgan silver dollar, Peace dollars were only produced at three mints: Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco.

We hope that our article today on how to sell Morgan silver dollars like a coin dealer provided some insight that will help you to receive more when you sell your Morgan silver dollars. Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers is one of the most knowledgeable buyers and sellers of Morgan silver dollars in the industry and would love the opportunity to earn your business. Feel free to contact us with any questions that you might have.

Give us a call today at 678-515-5763!

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The Secrets to Selling Morgan Silver Dollars Like a Coin Dealer (2024)

FAQs

The Secrets to Selling Morgan Silver Dollars Like a Coin Dealer? ›

To sell your silver coins, finding a reputable dealer is essential. Choose a local, in-person precious metals dealer with an excellent industry reputation. These dealers specialize in buying and selling coins, so they know how to assess their value and will give you a high price for your pieces.

What is the best way to sell silver dollars? ›

To sell your silver coins, finding a reputable dealer is essential. Choose a local, in-person precious metals dealer with an excellent industry reputation. These dealers specialize in buying and selling coins, so they know how to assess their value and will give you a high price for your pieces.

How much should I sell my Morgan Silver Dollar for? ›

Depending on the condition and scarcity of the coin in question, you can pay anywhere from as little as $10 to as much as $100 and more for a Morgan Silver Dollar. As expected, those coins that have been well-preserved over the years are the ones that will sell for the highest prices.

What is the hardest to find Morgan silver dollars? ›

1893‑S. The rare key-date 1893‑S Morgan is the showpiece most collectors need to complete a collection but is difficult to acquire! This rare 90% silver dollar is considered the most desirable Morgan ever struck at a branch mint.

How much can I sell my Morgan Dollar for? ›

The value of your Morgan silver dollar will depend entirely on the coin itself. Variations of the coin can range from as little as $10 to over $10,000. The average price of a Morgan silver dollar is around $100 per coin, this is still 100x the face value of the coin so you can see they are desirable and valuable.

What are the most sought after silver dollars? ›

After the Flowing Hair dollars, the next most collectable silver dollars are the Morgan Dollars and the Peace Dollars. Morgan Dollars were minted from 1878 to 1904 and then again briefly in 1921. They were designed by George T. Morgan and are highly valued both for their comparative rarity and their beauty.

Is collecting Morgan silver dollars a good investment? ›

Invest in Only the Highest Grade Morgan Dollars

The following best investments are the very high grade, MS-65, or better coins. They are pricey compared to MS-60 to MS-63, but their incredible rarity in the age of encapsulated coins makes them a good investment.

What is the best year of Morgan Dollars? ›

Of note, the 1888, 1892, 1893, 1895, 1902 and 1903 are more valuable coins. The most valuable of the San Francisco Morgan silver dollars is the 1893.

Why are Morgan silver dollars going up in value? ›

Morgan, was the first silver dollar minted after the demonetization of silver set by Congress in the Coinage Act of 1873. Because of its size and silver content, the Morgan Silver Dollar is the most valuable silver coin minted in the United States in the late nineteenth century and early part of the twentieth century.

How do I know if my silver dollar is worth money? ›

To calculate the value of a silver dollar, you multiply its fine silver content by the current spot price for silver. A silver dollar contains 0.7735 troy ounces of pure silver, so at the time of writing a silver Dollar would be worth over $17 on metal value alone.

Will a magnet stick to a Morgan Silver Dollar? ›

The normal weight of a Morgan is 26.73 grams, so if yours weighs way more or way less, than it is probably fake. Unless there is a hole or part of the coin is missing, of course. Morgan dollars are not magnetic. Find a good magnet, place it against your Morgan, and if it sticks, then your coin is probably fake.

What is the best grade for Morgan silver dollars? ›

Very Good-8 (VG8 or VG-8)

The design is clear and significant elements are defined but are flat and lacking in detail. The rim should be full and completely separated from the field around the entire circumference of the coin on both the obverse and the reverse.

What is the most common Morgan Dollar? ›

The 1921 Morgan Silver Dollar is the most common U.S. silver dollar, with nearly 90 million minted at the Philadelphia, San Francisco and the Denver Mints.

Are Morgan or Peace dollars worth more? ›

999 silver content). Only the Morgan Dollar was minted in larger quantities, about 650 million circulated for more than 27 years. In comparison, 190 million Peace Dollars were circulated over nine years. For that reason, the Morgan Dollar is the more “collected” of the two types.

What are the key dates for Morgan Dollars? ›

Key dates in this series include 1889-CC, 1893-S, and 1895 (Proof only). Other dates (such as 1895-O) are considered condition-rarities (common in low grade but extremely rare in high grade).

How much does it cost to grade a Morgan Dollar? ›

Coin Grading Costs

Grading prices vary according to the maximum value per coin. For instance, modern coins that are worth a maximum of $300 will cost from $17 to $22, depending on the company of your choosing. Coins with a maximum value of $10,000 can be graded for $65 to $80 dollars.

How much is a Susan B Anthony dollar worth? ›

According to the NGC Price Guide, as of May 2023, a Susan B Anthony Coin from 1979 in circulated condition is worth between $1.05 and $1.35. However, on the open market 1979 D Silver Dollars in pristine, uncirculated condition sell for as much as $1950.

What are new Morgan silver dollars selling for? ›

The coins minted in 2021 are in uncirculated finish and sold for $85 apiece.

What is the best way to sell old coins? ›

Selling to a local dealer is one of the easiest options; it doesn't require any shipping, minimum values, or extra hassle. You get paid up front for everything, hand it over the counter, and you're done.

How do you store Morgan silver dollars? ›

Good storage devices include hard plastic storage cases and glass or plastic coin tubes. Coin folders can be problematic because they expose your coins to air. However, if you have the original, airtight packaging, you can keep the coin in the packaging and place it in the folder.

What is the rarest key date Morgan dollars? ›

Comments: With a very low survival rate, 1889 is the key date and undisputed King of “CC” Morgans. As a matter of fact, it's considered among the rarest of all Morgan Dollars produced by any mint.

What is the most common year Morgan Silver Dollar? ›

Features of the Common Date Morgan Silver Dollar VG+/RAW

Dates and mint marks our choice, based on availability. As 1921 was the most common year for Morgan Silver Dollar minting, orders for this product are typically fulfilled with coins from that year.

What are the rare mint marks on Morgan silver dollars? ›

The New Orleans Mint began striking the new silver dollars in 1879. The Denver Mint, established in 1906, struck the coins for only one year, in 1921. The mint marks appearing on the coins are none, representing Philadelphia, "CC" for Carson City, "S" for San Francisco, "O" for New Orleans and "D" for Denver.

Are silver dollars hard to keep? ›

Silver dollars are hardy and easy to care for. Although this fish is fairly durable, the aquarist must maintain a very large tank for them. A school or six or more will require an aquarium of 75 gallons or larger.

How much will silver go up if the dollar collapses? ›

The value of silver isn't directly linked to the dollar. Therefore, its value wouldn't likely decrease if the dollar crashes.

What years to look for in silver dollars? ›

The U.S. Mint produced silver dollars containing 90% silver until 1935. The most popular and traded dollar coins are Morgan silver dollars, which were minted from 1878 – 1904 and again in 1921, and Peace silver dollars, which were minted from 1921 – 1935.

What makes a 1972 silver dollar rare? ›

The 1972 Type 2 Silver Dollar was accidentally struck with a reverse die that was intended for proof coins only. Only 40,000 of these coins are believed to exist today.

What makes a 1977 silver dollar rare? ›

Because there were plenty of 1977 silver dollars struck that mintage year, there aren't that many rare varieties of the coin. That said, uncirculated 1977 silver dollars in the higher grades (MS67 and above) are incredibly rare, making them extremely valuable.

Where is the M mark on a Morgan Silver Dollar? ›

The mint mark for Morgan silver dollars is located at the bottom center of the coin below the wreath and slightly above the letters “D” and “O” in “Dollar.” This is true for all Morgan silver dollars, including the coins minted in 1921.

How accurate is the magnet test for silver? ›

The Magnet Test

"Silver is not noticeably magnetic, and exhibits only weak magnetic effects unlike iron, nickel, cobalt, and the like," says Martin. "If your magnet sticks strongly to the piece, it has a ferromagnetic core and is not silver." Fake silver or silver-plated items are generally made of other metals.

What is the best magnet to test silver? ›

eodymium magnets are very strong and can help to test the authenticity of gold and silver bars, coins, bullion, or jewelry.

What are the black spots on Morgan dollars? ›

SULFUR SPOTS. These dark brown to black spots appear on both copper (including bronze) and silver coins (including silver clad). These are formed, not with contact with carbon, but contact with sulfur from the environment. The sulfur comes from any variety of sources.

How can you tell if a Morgan Silver Dollar is uncirculated? ›

The only way for a coin to be classified as uncirculated is if there is no evidence of wear anywhere on the coin. In other words, the luster is bright and complete across the entire surface of the coin.

Do all Morgan silver dollars weigh the same? ›

Weight of Morgan Dollars

The weight of an uncirculated Morgan silver dollar is 26.73 grams. Most replica coins weigh substantially less. We commonly see replica coins that weigh in the 18 to 22 gram range.

How many Morgan silver dollars are left in the world? ›

Morgan Silver Dollars with mintmark CC, for the Carson City Mint, which closed its doors in 1893. The 1895 “King of Morgan's.” That year, only 12,880 coins were minted. Only 880 of these coins survived after so many were melted, and experts believe only about 500 still remain in existence today.

What is the King of Morgan silver dollars? ›

The 1895 Morgan silver dollar is known as the "King of the Morgan Dollars" because it is the rarest and one of the most valuable coins in the entire Morgan Dollar series.

How many total Morgan silver dollars are there? ›

Earliest specimens minted more than 140 years ago...

A complete set of 28 genuine U.S. Morgan Silver Dollars — one from every year of issue (1878-1921) — weighing in at over 1¾ troy pounds of pure silver.

What is rarest Peace Dollar? ›

The rarest and most valuable Peace silver dollar, at least in circulated condition, is the 1928-P or Philadelphia-issued dollar with a mintage of 360,000 coins. Prices can vary anywhere from $150 – $300, depending on the coin's condition. Inspect the reverse side of the coin below the word “One” for a mint mark.

How much should I pay for a Peace Dollar? ›

Peace dollars range in price from as low as $35 for a worn coin to as high as tens of thousands of dollars for a high grade uncirculated one, depending on date and mintage. There are 24 coins in a complete Peace dollar date and mint set.

How many 2023 Morgan dollars will be minted? ›

The 2023 issues appear to be limited to the following: 2023-P Morgan dollars mint state (MS) Mintage limit: 275,000. 2023-S Morgan dollars proof (PR) Mintage limit: 400,000. 2023-S Morgan dollars reverse proof* (REV PR) Mintage limit: 250,000.

What is the lowest mintage Morgan Dollar? ›

The key date for the series is the 1893-S Morgan Dollar, which had a mintage of 100,000 coins. This represents the lowest mintage for a circulation strike coin and no significant hoards ever surfaced for this issue.

How much should I sell my Morgan silver dollar for? ›

Depending on the condition and scarcity of the coin in question, you can pay anywhere from as little as $10 to as much as $100 and more for a Morgan Silver Dollar. As expected, those coins that have been well-preserved over the years are the ones that will sell for the highest prices.

Is it worth getting a coin graded? ›

In nearly all situations, key date coins in uncirculated condition are worth having professionally graded. This is especially the case if you have multiple coins to submit, as this will help reduce your overall expense per coin when factoring in shipping and insurance expenses.

Which is better NGC or PCGS? ›

PCGS is considered the more esteemed grading service overall. Coins graded by PCGS tend to have a higher resale value. This does not mean that NGC is a bad grading company, it is still one of the top coin graders in the world and people will pay more for an NGC slabbed coin than a non-slabbed coin.

Are silver dollars worth anything now? ›

The value of a silver dollar depends on several factors, such as its date, mintmark, condition, and any potential errors. ###Morgan and Peace Dollars### If you own any common Morgan or Peace silver dollars that are in worn condition, these are usually worth very close to the current price of an ounce of silver.

Where can I sell valuable silver dollars? ›

Where to Sell Silver Coins
  • Cash for Silver USA.
  • JM Bullion.
  • eBay.
  • Kitco.
  • APMEX.
Jan 25, 2023

Can you cash a silver dollar? ›

Like gold, silver is a valuable precious metal that you can sell for cash when needed. If you own silver coins, bars, or jewelry, selling to a trustworthy dealer can get you a sum of money to put toward a car down payment, pay for a milestone event, or invest in a different precious metal like gold.

Is it hard to sell silver coins? ›

Silver coins are considered the easiest to sell, since it's fairly easy to quickly liquidate (i.e., get cash for) coins. For example, American Silver Eagles are the top silver bullion coin in the world, according to Goldsilver.com.

Is it a good time to sell silver? ›

Market analysts currently predict that silver will soon price higher than gold. As consumer confidence increases after the Covid-19 lockdown protocols, silver consumption is expected to be sky high. Right now, the coming months will be the best time to sell your silver to maximize your profit.

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