Bryan and the Free Silver advocates lost out, however, and though Silver dollars were still struck, the bimetallic system was not in the cards for the U.S. The Morgan dollar’s history is set against the backdrop of the wars over the monetary system of the United States. “Free Silver” advocates like famous orator William Jennings Bryan believed that a bimetallic system would usher in a new era of prosperity for the nation. Bryan gave one of the most famous political speeches of all time in an effort to stop the advance of the Gold standard with his “Cross of Gold” address. The bimetallic standard established at the beginning of the U.S. had been repealed with the 1873 Coinage Act, and the Gold standard looked all but assured.
- The information on this page does not constitute an offer to buy or sell the coin(s) referred to.
- Keep in mind, that back in the 18th and 19th centuries, a single Dollar was a lot of money.
- The 1885 silver dollar with no mint mark is worth around $45 in very fine condition.
- 228,000 Morgan silver dollars were minted in Carson City in 1885, making them valuable on the current coin market.
- Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS 65 can sell for around $1,300.
- Rare highly-preserved coins are expensive and collectible nowadays, and only serious collectors can afford some scarce pieces.
Dents can reduce a coin’s overall appeal and make it less appealing to collectors. Likewise, a heavily worn 1885 silver dollar will generally be worth less than one that remains in nearly pristine condition. The survived 1885 Morgan silver dollars of 9,185,000 produced in New Orleans typically cost $30 to $60, depending on the degree of wear. On the other hand, pieces in the mint state are expensive and cost $55 to $1,175, depending on the preservation level. The dollar coin used to be one of the foundational coins of U.S. currency.
Morgan Silver Dollar Value Guides
Morgan silver dollars are some of the most collectible in the history of United States coinage. These coins are gorgeous, solid, and, more importantly, contain 90% silver, a high-demand precious metal. Silver dollars are one of the most valuable US coins to invest in, but it’s important to do your research before making any purchase.
What makes an 1885 silver dollar valuable?
In uncirculated condition the price is around $220 for coins with an MS 60 grade. Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS 65 can sell for around $1,000. The 1885 silver dollar with no mint mark is worth around $45 in very fine condition. In uncirculated condition the price is around $70 for coins with an MS 60 grade. Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS 65 can sell for around $245. Lastly the 1923 S silver dollar is worth around $40 in very fine condition.
By determining your 1885 dollar is in acceptable condition and with original surfaces identifies collector quality with solid interest. The top coin in the image remains bright silver as traderoom minted and never saw circulation. In a nutshell, the appearance of your 1885 silver dollar can be affected by wear and tear, especially when it comes to scratches, stains, and dents.
What makes an 1885 Morgan silver dollar rare?
The hair at Liberty’s temple and coronet is typically where any worn metal first becomes visible in Morgan silver dollars. This is especially true for rare coins, where there are fewer sales and greater variations in sale prices. For all of these reasons, the prices in these guides are designed to serve merely as one of many measures and factors that coin buyers and sellers can use in determining coin values.
The 1923 silver dollar with no mint mark is worth around $40 in very fine condition. In uncirculated condition the price is around $50 for coins with an MS 60 grade. Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS 65 can sell for around $150. The 1878 silver dollar with no mint mark 8 feather variation is worth around $85 in very fine condition.
The Morgan silver dollar was made from 1878 to 1904 and then again in 1921. It was the first silver dollar ever produced after the Coinage Act of 1873, which prohibited the free coining of silver. John Saechao is a respected California-based coin collector, known for his diverse https://traderoom.info/ and intricate collection. His lifelong passion for numismatics has shaped an impressive portfolio, spanning multiple eras and continents. Celebrated not just for his collection, John is appreciated for his knowledge-sharing, greatly influencing the coin collecting community.
For collectors, this is why it is important to assess the condition of a coin before ever committing to a purchase. Michael Davidson brings over three decades of experience in buying, selling, and appraising rare United States coins. He is a lifetime member and certified numismatic coin grading specialist at the American Numismatic Association.
Therefore, the US Mint could start minting new coins created by George T. Morgan’s design. Pieces struck in 1885 were in a group of early date series with a low mintage, making these beautiful pieces precious for collectors. The Liberty Seated had stayed in production till 1873, but their Silver content outweighed their face value by the 1850s and they circulated far less. New coinage laws in 1873 had no provision for the Silver dollar, and production of these dollars for U.S. circulation did not occur until the Bland-Allison Act of 1878. The Trade dollar created for export filled the gap and saw limited circulation until it was barred from the legal tender. This lasted until 1890 when it was replaced by the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.
As you compare your coin to the images, a close match of its condition becomes apparent. This process determines the “grade” and using the above chart identifies an accurate value of your 1885 silver dollar. Any silver dollar showing signs of a past cleaning runs the risk of being avoided and ignored by discerning collectors. Once cleaned, Morgan dollars lose approval to a large segment of potential collectors.
For instance, this proof coin holds an auction record of $92,000. 96 distinct date-and-mint combinations created more than 600 million Morgan dollars, and hundreds of millions were eventually destroyed. However, a large mass of Morgan dollars kept accumulating in Treasury warehouses as well as regional and centralised bank vaults. Minting year – The US Mint produced Morgans only during the period from 1878 to 1904 and later in 1921. You can be sure your coin is fake if you spot any other year on the obverse. The most expensive proof Morgan struck this year is the one in a PR 69 grade sold in 2011 at Goldberg Auctioneers for an unbelievable $92,000.
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