Slabbed Morgan Dollars
IDC Coin & Bullion | Certified Numismatics
Certified & Slabbed Morgan Silver Dollars for Sale
Shop professionally graded Morgan silver dollars, including PCGS, NGC, ICG, and ANACS certified coins, Carson City issues, collectible dates, Mint State examples, and recognized VAM varieties.
First issued in 1878, the Morgan silver dollar is among America's most collected historic coins. Designed by George T. Morgan, the classic series was struck from 1878 through 1904 and again in 1921.
IDC Coin & Bullion, part of International Diamond Center, offers an extensive selection of certified Morgan dollars for collectors pursuing specific dates, mintmarks, grades, varieties, and distinctive examples.
Browse the inventory below using the year, mintmark, grading service, and grade filters. Review each listing for its actual coin, certification details, holder condition, and price. Availability changes as coins are purchased and added.
History of the Morgan Silver Dollar
The Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the most recognizable coins in American numismatics. Named for its designer, George T. Morgan, the coin was introduced in 1878 following passage of the Bland-Allison Act.
The obverse features Liberty wearing a Phrygian-style cap adorned with agricultural motifs. The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings, surrounded by a wreath.
Classic Morgan dollars were produced from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. Production took place at Philadelphia, San Francisco, New Orleans, Carson City, and Denver, although Denver struck Morgan dollars only in 1921.
The U.S. Mint revived the Morgan Dollar design for modern collector coins beginning in 2021. Collectors should distinguish these modern issues from the original circulation-era series.
Morgan Silver Dollar Specifications
| Specification | Classic Morgan Dollar |
|---|---|
| Denomination | One U.S. dollar |
| Designer | George T. Morgan |
| Years of issue | 1878–1904, 1921 |
| Composition | 90% silver, 10% copper |
| Standard weight | 26.73 grams |
| Actual silver weight | Approximately 0.77344 troy ounce |
| Diameter | 38.1 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Mints | Philadelphia, Carson City, New Orleans, San Francisco, Denver |
Classic vs. modern:
Original Morgan dollars contain 90% silver.
Modern collector issues beginning in 2021
use .999 fine silver and different specifications.
Morgan Dollar Mintmarks Explained
Mintmarks are among the most important attributes in Morgan Dollar collecting. Two coins with the same date and grade can have significantly different values because of their mintmarks.
| Mintmark | Mint | Collector Significance |
|---|---|---|
| No mintmark | Philadelphia | Includes common dates and important rarities. |
| CC | Carson City | Popular historic Nevada mint with several scarce issues. |
| O | New Orleans | Important source of Morgan dollars, including numerous varieties. |
| S | San Francisco | Includes major key dates and notable condition rarities. |
| D | Denver | Used for Morgan dollars only in 1921 during the classic series. |
On classic Morgan dollars, the mintmark appears on the reverse, beneath the wreath and above the letters DO in DOLLAR.
Key-Date Morgan Silver Dollars
Morgan Dollar collectors pursue coins by date, mintmark, grade, rarity, and variety. Several issues are especially significant because of low survival rates, limited mintages, or scarcity in higher grades.
1889-CC Morgan Dollar
One of the most desirable Carson City issues, especially in higher grades. Authentication is particularly important for valuable examples.
1893-S Morgan Dollar
A major business-strike key date with a low original mintage. Genuine examples are highly sought after across grades.
1895 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar
Known as a Proof-only issue among surviving examples. No circulation strikes have been confirmed.
1895-O Morgan Dollar
An important New Orleans issue, particularly challenging in attractive Mint State condition.
1895-S Morgan Dollar
A better-date San Francisco issue with significant collector interest, particularly in higher grades.
1901 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar
A notable condition rarity. Attractive Mint State examples can be considerably scarcer than circulated examples.
Not every scarce Morgan Dollar has a low mintage. The number of surviving coins, historical melting, Treasury releases, and the availability of high-grade examples all influence rarity.
Carson City Morgan Silver Dollars
Morgan dollars bearing the CC mintmark were produced at the Carson City Mint in Nevada. They are closely associated with the history of Western silver mining and the Comstock Lode.
Carson City Morgan dollars are popular with collectors building complete mintmark sets, date sets, and collections focused on historic American branch mints.
Not all Carson City Morgan dollars are equally rare. The 1882-CC, 1883-CC, and 1884-CC issues are relatively accessible in certain Mint State grades because of surviving Treasury holdings, while dates such as 1889-CC are substantially more challenging.
What Is a GSA Morgan Dollar?
GSA Morgan dollars are coins associated with U.S. General Services Administration sales of historic Treasury-held silver dollars during the 1970s and related distributions. Many Carson City examples remain in their distinctive GSA holders.
Original GSA packaging, documentation, and certified grade can affect collector interest.
Morgan Dollar VAM Varieties
VAM is the die-variety attribution system developed by Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis. The system catalogs identifiable differences among Morgan and Peace Dollar dies.
Morgan Dollar VAM varieties can involve doubled dies, overdates, repunched mintmarks, die cracks, and distinctive reverse designs.
1878 7 Tail Feathers
The first year includes important reverse types and tail-feather varieties, including Reverse of 1878 and Reverse of 1879 designs.
1878 8 Tail Feathers
The original eight-tail-feather reverse is a significant first-year collecting variety.
1878 7 Over 8 Tail Feathers
Transitional examples show evidence of underlying tail-feather elements. Attribution varies by die.
Overmintmarks & Doubled Dies
Varieties such as O/CC overmintmarks and recognized doubled dies attract specialized collectors.
Some VAMs are included in specialized collecting groups such as the Top 100, Hot 50, and Hit List 40. Recognition alone does not guarantee a substantial price premium.
Understanding Certified Morgan Dollar Grades
Certified Morgan silver dollars are commonly evaluated using the Sheldon 70-point scale. Circulated grades reflect varying degrees of wear, while Mint State grades apply to coins without circulation wear.
| Grade | General Characteristics |
|---|---|
| VF-20 to VF-35 | Very Fine; moderate wear with substantial design detail. |
| XF-40 to XF-45 | Extremely Fine; light wear on higher design points. |
| AU-50 to AU-58 | About Uncirculated; slight wear with much original detail remaining. |
| MS-60 to MS-62 | Uncirculated; potentially significant marks or weaker eye appeal. |
| MS-63 | Choice Mint State with moderate imperfections. |
| MS-64 | Choice Mint State with generally stronger preservation. |
| MS-65 | Gem Mint State, typically with fewer distracting marks. |
| MS-66 and higher | Premium Mint State preservation; scarcity depends on the date and mint. |
Strike, Luster & Eye Appeal
Two Morgan dollars with the same numerical grade may have noticeably different appearances. Collectors examine the sharpness of Liberty's hair, the eagle's breast feathers, mint luster, surface marks, toning, and overall originality.
Some dates and mints are known for weaker average strikes. A weakly struck coin is not necessarily circulated.
Details-Graded Morgan Dollars
A genuine Morgan dollar may receive a Details designation because of cleaning, scratches, environmental damage, repairs, or other surface problems.
Details-graded coins can still be collectible, but should not be priced as equivalent to straight-graded coins without considering the specific impairment.
PCGS, NGC, ICG & ANACS Morgan Dollars
Third-party coin grading services authenticate, attribute, grade, and encapsulate eligible coins. The holder commonly identifies the date, mintmark, denomination, grade, and certification number.
PCGS Morgan Dollars
PCGS-certified coins are popular among collectors who use published population data and certification verification tools.
NGC Morgan Dollars
NGC-certified examples span circulated, Mint State, Proof, and attributed varieties.
ICG Morgan Dollars
ICG grades and encapsulates collectible coins, including Morgan dollars participating in IDC Verified.
ANACS Morgan Dollars
ANACS provides authentication and grading services, including attribution of selected die varieties.
Always verify a certification number through the issuing grading company's official lookup service when available. Counterfeit holders and labels can exist.
IDC Verified Morgan Silver Dollars
IDC Verified is a numismatic authentication and preservation program associated with IDC Coin & Bullion, part of International Diamond Center.
Eligible participating coins combine IDC's numismatic review with independent third-party authentication and grading through Independent Coin Graders (ICG).
The program gives collectors an additional way to identify participating coins while retaining the independent grading service's assigned grade and certification information.
IDC's dedicated Morgan Dollar collection offers a convenient way to explore participating coins.
What Makes a Morgan Silver Dollar Valuable?
Morgan dollar values depend on a combination of silver content, numismatic scarcity, condition, historical interest, and collector demand.
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Date & Mintmark | Some issues are substantially scarcer than others. |
| Certified Grade | Higher grades can command premiums, particularly for condition rarities. |
| Strike Quality | Sharp detail may be desirable on issues frequently found weakly struck. |
| Originality | Natural surfaces and absence of problematic alterations can influence demand. |
| Toning & Luster | Eye appeal affects collector preferences and marketability. |
| VAM Attribution | Recognized varieties may attract specialized collectors. |
| Certification | Service, grade, holder condition, and verification information influence buyer confidence. |
| Silver Content | Classic Morgan dollars contain approximately 0.77344 troy ounce of silver. |
Important:
A common-date circulated Morgan dollar
and a high-grade key date can have
dramatically different market values.
Neither age nor silver content alone
establishes numismatic value.
How to Buy a Certified Morgan Dollar Online
Choose a Collecting Goal
Consider a type coin, date-and-mintmark set, Carson City collection, VAM variety set, or certified Mint State collection.
Identify the Date & Mintmark
Verify the exact issue and any recognized varieties or special designations.
Review the Grade & Holder
Check the grading company, numerical grade, Details notations, certification number, and holder condition.
Examine the Actual Coin
Compare photographs for luster, strike, surface marks, toning, and eye appeal.
Compare Relevant Market Sales
Compare coins with similar dates, mintmarks, grades, varieties, and condition characteristics.
Buy & Sell Morgan Dollars in Clearwater, Florida
IDC Coin & Bullion, part of International Diamond Center, is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida.
IDC operates a network of 11 retail locations across Florida and Georgia and offers collectible coins to customers nationwide through its online store.
Collectors in Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Largo, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, and surrounding Tampa Bay communities can contact IDC about certified Morgan silver dollars and numismatic collections.
Have Morgan dollars to sell? IDC considers qualifying coins and collections for purchase, including raw and certified examples. Contact the team about your specific dates, mintmarks, and grades.
Morgan Silver Dollars: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Morgan Silver Dollar?
A U.S. one-dollar silver coin designed by George T. Morgan, originally issued from 1878 through 1904 and again in 1921.
How much silver is in a Morgan dollar?
Classic Morgan dollars contain approximately 0.77344 troy ounce of pure silver, with a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper.
What does slabbed Morgan dollar mean?
A slabbed Morgan dollar is encapsulated in a protective holder, typically following authentication and grading by a third-party grading service.
What years were Morgan dollars minted?
Classic Morgan dollars were struck from 1878 through 1904 and again in 1921. Modern collector issues began in 2021.
What is the rarest Morgan silver dollar?
Rarity depends on whether circulation strikes, Proof coins, surviving populations, or condition rarities are being compared. The 1893-S is a major business-strike key date, while the 1895 Philadelphia issue is known as a Proof-only rarity.
What does CC mean on a Morgan dollar?
CC identifies the Carson City Mint in Nevada.
Where is the mintmark on a Morgan dollar?
On classic Morgan dollars, the mintmark is on the reverse, beneath the wreath and above the letters DO in DOLLAR.
Why is the 1893-S Morgan Dollar valuable?
Its low original mintage and strong collector demand make it a major key date in the business-strike series.
What is a Morgan dollar VAM?
A VAM is a cataloged die variety attributed using the Van Allen–Mallis system for Morgan and Peace silver dollars.
What does MS-65 mean?
MS-65 is a Gem Mint State grade on the standard 70-point grading scale, indicating an uncirculated coin meeting the service's applicable standards.
What is the difference between PCGS and NGC?
PCGS and NGC are separate third-party coin authentication and grading companies.
Are all ICG Morgan dollars IDC Verified?
No. IDC Verified applies to eligible participating coins within IDC's program, not every coin graded by ICG.
What is a GSA Carson City Morgan Dollar?
A Morgan dollar associated with U.S. General Services Administration sales of Treasury-held silver dollars, often preserved in distinctive GSA packaging.
Are toned Morgan dollars worth more?
Some naturally toned Morgan dollars command premiums because of attractive eye appeal, but unattractive or questionable toning may reduce demand.
Can Morgan silver dollars be counterfeit?
Yes. Counterfeit Morgan dollars and counterfeit certification holders exist. Authentication and careful verification are important, particularly for valuable dates.
Are modern Morgan dollars made of 90% silver?
No. Modern Morgan collector issues beginning in 2021 use .999 fine silver and different specifications from the classic series.
Does IDC buy Morgan silver dollars?
IDC considers qualifying Morgan dollars and coin collections for purchase. Contact the team about your specific items.
Where can I buy certified Morgan dollars in Clearwater?
IDC Coin & Bullion is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, and sells certified Morgan dollars through its online catalog. Contact IDC about local purchase and evaluation options.
Explore More Certified Coins
Shop Certified Morgan Silver Dollars at IDC
Explore historic Morgan dollars, Carson City issues, certified Mint State examples, recognized varieties, and participating IDC Verified coins.
Browse available inventory online or contact IDC about Morgan silver dollars you are considering selling.
