1885-CC Morgan Silver Dollar PCGS MS63

The Carson City Mint and the Morgan Silver Dollar

These two related subjects, when put together, conjure up visions of stage coaches full of bagged Morgan Silver Dollars making their way across the Great Basin to deliver the much-needed tools of commerce to banks throughout the Old West. The dangers they faced from outlaws made the job a highly dangerous one, and made excellent material for the subject of scores of Hollywood movies long after these coins were minted.

These mind's-eye pictures are not too far from truth. Many Morgan Silver Dollars minted in Carson City were transported by stage coach and train to their final destinations. Many of the coins suffered a large number of bag marks from this rugged transport system, making higher grade coins rather scarce. Put that on top of low mintage, and you're looking at coin collector treasure!

The 1885-CC Morgan Silver Dollar

The 1885-CC issue has the lowest mintage of any Carson City minted Morgan Silver Dollar. It is one of the semi-key dates of the entire Morgan Dollar series, and is cherished by collectors as one of the most difficult coins in the series to obtain. Its mintage, at only 228,000 pieces, is the smallest of any Morgan Silver Dollar prior to the drawing back of production across all facilities in 1891.

NGC MS 63 Morgan Silver Dollars

This coin is graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) as mint state 63. For most Morgan Silver Dollars this is a very average grade, but for Carson City minted Morgan Silver Dollars it is of above average quality. The grade itself is used with coins that have a moderate amount of bag marks and other minor blemishes that do not overly affect the eye appeal of the coin.