1885 Morgan Silver Dollar Coin Value Price Chart, Error List, History & Varieties

Most surviving circulated examples are graded good to fine, but even these are worth good money. You can expect between $440 and $735 for 1885-CC circulated silver dollars. In addition to the regular strike of 1885 silver dollars, the Philadelphia mint produced proof coins specially struck for collectors.

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. At the suggestion of his friend, Morgan used Anna Willess Williams, a teacher of Philosophy, as the model on the coin’s obverse. 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Act of 1890 increased the amount of silver the Treasury could buy, but a stock market crisis caused the Act to be repealed in 1893.

Morgan Silver Dollar

In its circulated condition, an 1885 no-mint mark dollar is worth between $33.50 and $63. These coins fetch more in their mint state, from $70 for a piece graded MS60 to $40,000 for gem-quality specimens graded MS69 and above. Today there is a wide range of common to rare https://www.fx770.net/ 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.

For your top condition and value coins, a range of appropriate holders are found at an area coin dealer. The cardboard and mylar “flips” the dealer uses in the display cases are suitable for many of your coins. Easy to use and inexpensive they are a good solution to safe storage and preserving value. Morgan silver dollars, as a series, are highly popular with collectors today. These now very old silver dollars are large in size, striking in design, available and represent good value with many reasonably priced. Circulated coins, on the other hand, will show unmistakable signs of wear on the high points.

1. A compromise was reached, and in 1878, the Bland-Allison Act authorized the U.S.
2. From your old pennies to gold coins, all US coin series are covered.
3. Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series.
4. Most 1885-S silver dollars were also highly circulated, making high-grade examples rare.

This melt value is calculated from the current silver spot price of $25.34 per ounce. The US minted the 1885 silver dollar with no mint mark and also the 1885 CC silver dollar, 1885 O silver dollar, and 1885 S silver dollar. The mint mark, when present, can be found on the reverse side of the coin below the wreath. A compromise was reached, and in 1878, the Bland-Allison Act authorized the U.S. Treasury to buy silver bullion worth 2-4 million dollars each month at the prevailing market price.

NGC Price Guide

The degree of wear (hopefully none at all) is a little hard to gauge but is one step that needs attention. 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.

The details, high points and fields will be smooth on low-grade circulated examples and slightly more visible as you go up the grading scale. Grading Morgan silver dollars involves examining the high points on the obverse and reverse for signs of wear. The hair covering half of Liberty’s forehead, the cheeks, and the Phygarian hat are some of the high points on the obverse, while the eagle’s breast and feathers on the reverse are prone to wear and tear.

Morgan Silver Dollar Value

Despite the high mintage, 1885 no mint-mark silver dollars are quite valuable even in the circulated state. Their intrinsic value lies in their silver content, making them desirable among collectors. The Philadelphia mint struck an estimated 17,786,837 silver dollars in 1885, making this the highest mintage that year.

But Congress rejected this proposal and omitted silver coins from the authorized legal tender list, leading to a massive protest. For Morgan Silver Dollar collectors, 1885 was a quiet year – there are no major attributed die varieties, and only the Carson City issue, as usual for the Morgan Dollar series, presents any significant challenge. Collectors who pursue the many VAM (Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis) varieties may find several die variations to pursue from 1885. Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series.

With so many mint state coins readily available, collectors typically focus on the scarce circulated grades, such as the 1885-CC and 1885 Proof silver dollars. Because of their popularity, Morgan silver dollars are prone to countgerfeiting. You can look for some things to ensure your 1885 silver dollar is real. First, your coin should weigh about 26.73g, not significantly more or less. Use a pair of callipers to ensure the diameter and thickness are accurate. You should also check for the mint mark location, font size and strike, which tend to be off in fake silver dollars.

Key to 1885 Morgan Silver Dollar Value is Judging Condition

These coins were poorly stored in bags at the minting facility, resulting in many acquiring bag marks. Most 1885-S silver dollars were also highly circulated, making high-grade examples rare. Many rare and valuable dates and mintmark combinations are found throughout the entire 1878 through 1921 history of Morgan silver dollars. With a minimum value of $22.10 and rising from there, accurately determine how much your rare silver coins are worth. As a result of the late release, 1885-O silver dollars are widely available in high grade. Despite these coins being struck more than 130 years ago, circulated examples are still in good shape.

The top coin in the image remains bright silver as minted and never saw circulation. Discovering rare mintmarks and high condition all contributes to 1885 Morgan silver dollar value. Proof coins with no mint mark are available and they are each valued at around $3,750 in PR 63 condition. In 2011, Goldenberg Auctioneers sold what is believed to be the most expensive 1885 proof silver dollar. This specimen was graded PF69 and was auctioned for an astonishing $92,000. Due to the high demand to produce millions of silver dollars, the Treasury engaged the mints in Philadelphia, San Francisco,  Carson City, and New Orleans to strike the new Morgan silver dollars.

With a mintage of only 228,000, the 1855-CC silver dollar is considered the rarest Morgan after the 1903-O silver dollar. The 1885 silver dollar has a reeded edge, while the inner rim features decorative ridges throughout the coin’s diameter. Learning about the features of the 1885 silver dollar can help you quickly determine if your coin might be valuable. Influential silver miners, looking for an immediate market for their bullion, urged the government to buy silver and produce unlimited coins.

However this is just a minimum value representing how much a circulated-worn 1885 dollar is worth. The coin has luster, but there may be a few stains, abrasions, or surface marks. This coin in circulated condition is worth at least its weight in silver.

Collectors Universe, Inc. disclaims any warranties whatsoever with respect to the accuracy of the PCGS3000® or any specific coin index. Morgan silver dollars, including those struck in 1885, have the reputation of being perfectly struck. As such, there aren’t many Morgan silver dollar errors in circulation. The New Orleans mint struck an estimated 9 million silver dollars in 1885.