1883-CC Silver Morgan Dollar PCGS MS63

1883-CC Morgan Silver Dollars

Even with being one of the more common Carson City minted Morgan Silver Dollars, the 1883-CC Morgan Dollar is still on the list of scarce issues that are known as "semi-key" dates. A "key" date is one of the few coins that make up the most valuable pieces in a series, and the "semi-keys" are the next level down. All Carson City minted Morgan Silver Dollars are considered semi-key coins because of their relatively low mintage as compared to the other coins in the series.

The Carson City Mint

Built in 1863 at the peak of a silver boom in the area, the Carson City Mint was a branch mint of the United States Mint. Its purpose was to mint silver from the Comstock Lode, a large cache of silver found in what would be known as Virginia City near-by.

Even though the mint was built in 1863, it did not mint its first coin until 1870, when it minted a relatively small number of Seated Liberty quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars, along with three denominations of gold coins. Mintage figures for all coins minted at the facility were always miniature as compared to other facilities of the time, making all Carson City minted coins valuable today.

Every coin minted at the facility bears the "CC" mint mark, which is coveted by collectors today. Only the gold mints of Dahlonega, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina are considered more scarce and collectible.

The mint eventually closed when the ability to locally produce metal to keep it viable began to dry up. The Carson City mint ceased operation as a U.S. Mint facility in 1893. The building was later restored and is a museum today.