1879 Morgan Silver Dollar

1879 Morgan Dollar With a mintage of more than 14 million, the 1879 Morgan Dollars (Buy on eBay) struck at the Philadelphia Mint were the most abundant issue of the new series at the time. This would remain the case until 1885, when mintages began to swell to higher levels for a period of several years. The 1879 Silver dollar was created by George T. Morgan was the engraver who became famous for designing many popular coins, including the Morgan dollars. The 1879 silver dollar was a result of the Bland-Allison Act. In the late 1850s, the first major silver discovery in the US, the Comstock Lode, nearly ended the California Gold Rush. Type: Morgan Silver Dollar Year: 1879 Mint Mark: O Face Value: 1.00 USD Total Produced: 2,887,000 Silver Content: 90% Silver Weight: 0.7735 oz. Silver Melt: $20.68 Value: As a rough estimate of this coins value you can assume this coin in average condition will be valued at somewhere around $38, while one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $2,350 at auction.

1. Price Of Silver Dollars 1879
2. 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Error
3. 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar No Mint Mark

Early Silver Dollars

15 items found

• $55.00
• Seller: tecoins
  Condition: MS61
• Seller: tecoins
  Condition: G4
• $33.00
• Seller: HarrysStuff
  Condition: AU 55
• Graded 7-30-85 by Independent Numismatic Laboratory, Inc as MS 64/64. See Notes
  Seller: HarrysStuff
  Certification Agency: Other
  Certification Number: 3317
  Condition: AU 55
• Seller: bumpsethammer
• Seller: dollarwise
  Condition: vf
• Seller: dollarwise
  Condition: even wear
• Seller: dollarwise
  Condition: sharp detals
• Seller: dollarwise
  Condition: xf -au uniform wear
• Seller: dollarwise
  Condition: vf uniform wear
• Seller: dollarwise
  Condition: vg uniform wear
• Seller: dollarwise
  Condition: vg uniform wear
• Seller: dollarwise
  Condition: sharp strike nice luster

by Les Kendall

1879 was a notable year for the Morgan Silver Dollar. The Morgan design was first released in 1878 and production was increased by using four mints in 1879. There were a number of varieties and a very special ‘Schoolgirl’ pattern dollar.

Morgan Dollar History

The Morgan Dollar was a USA silver coin minted from 1878 to 1904 and then again in 1921. It had a currency value of one US dollar. It is quite large (38.1 mm diameter) and is 90% silver. A more detailed history of the Morgan Dollar is in our article What is a Morgan Dollar?

The name Morgan derives from the designer George T. Morgan (1845-1925). Morgan was originally from Birmingham, England and worked under William Wyon at the Royal Mint. He moved to America in 1876 to become the assistant engraver at the US Mint under William Barber.

Morgan later became Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint from 1917 until 1925. He is probably best know for the Morgan Dollar and the ‘Schoolgirl‘ pattern dollar described below, but he designed many other coins too.

The 1879 Dollar

Following the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, the US Treasury began converting silver into coins. To meet the demand four mints were used in 1879 to produce coins:

• Philadelphia (No mint mark)
• San Francisco (Mint mark = “S”)
• New Orleans (Mint mark = “O”)
• Carson City (Mint mark = “CC”)

Mint marks were generally on the reverse just below the wreath.

Price Of Silver Dollars 1879

Philadelphia made the most, around 14.8 million; San Francisco produced over 9 million; New Orleans almost 2.9 million and Carson City about 750,000.

San Francisco had two reverse variants. The 2nd Reverse had one side that had a top arrow feather that runs parallel while the other side has a concave breast. The 3rd Reverse had one side with slanted top arrow feather and a convex breast on the other side.

Carson City had a few problems with the mintmark and are usually classified as CC over CC or Clear CC.

1879 Morgan Silver Dollar Error

Most of the 1879 coins are affordable except for the Carson City strikes which are a considerably higher price (maybe 10x).

The 1879 Schoolgirl Silver Dollar (Pattern)

George Morgan also created a pattern for another dollar. The coin shows a youthful looking Lady Liberty facing left with her hair tied with a ribbon with LIBERTY inscribed in her hair band. She wears a string of pearls.

The pattern was known to have been struck both in silver and copper. It is a very rare coin, with perhaps only 10-15 in existence. We’re talking big money here. Watch out for fakes.

1879 Morgan Silver Dollar No Mint Mark