Lot 310
1889 Silver Morgan Dollar Carson City
Sold December 12, 2025
- Price realized
- $1,075
Price realized is the winning bid (hammer price) and excludes buyer’s premium.
About this lot
Estimated Value: $1,000-3,000
Origin: United States
Denomination: One Dollar
Year: 1889
Mint: Carson City
Grade/Condition: Estimated: F
Metal: Silver
Weight (+/- 0.2g): 26.3 Grams
Additional Description: The 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar from the Carson City Mint is one of the most coveted and historically significant issues in the entire series. With a mintage of only 350,000 coins, it is the lowest of any Carson City Morgan Dollar and ranks among the key dates of the series, particularly in higher grades.
Struck at the legendary Nevada mint during a brief period of resumed operations, the 1889-CC reflects the waning years of the Old West era. Its “CC” mint mark, located beneath the wreath on the reverse, evokes the rugged frontier identity of the mint itself, which served the booming silver output of the Comstock Lode. This issue marked the return of Morgan Dollar production at Carson City after a four-year hiatus, and it would continue for only a few more years before the mint closed permanently in 1893.
Most 1889-CC dollars entered circulation, making well-preserved examples especially rare. Coins in mint state are exceptionally scarce and command strong premiums, with uncirculated specimens considered true trophies among Morgan collectors. Many surviving examples display soft strikes and signs of wear, though even these are highly desirable due to the coin’s rarity and historical weight.
The design, by George T. Morgan, remains unchanged: Liberty’s classical profile on the obverse, adorned with wheat and cotton, and a bold eagle with spread wings on the reverse, symbolizing national unity and strength.
Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, the coin weighs 26.73 grams and measures 38.1 millimeters in diameter. A frontier-minted coin that bridges American monetary history with the mythology of the West. Its low mintage, storied origin, and enduring scarcity make it one of the most sought-after pieces in the entire Morgan Dollar lineage.
Lot details
- Lot
- 310
- Auction
- Gold and Silver Showcase
- Closed
- December 12, 2025
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