#66 • 1879 Silver Morgan Dollar Carson City

Part of Gold and Silver Showcase (live auction by Blue Box Auction Gallery)

High bid $700.00

Status: No sale

Estimated Value: $2,000-5,000 Origin: United States Denomination: One Dollar Year: 1879 Mint: Carson City Grade/Condition: Estimated: F Metal: Silver Weight (+/- 0.2g): 26.3 Grams Additional Description: The 1879 Carson City Morgan Silver Dollar is one of the more sought-after issues in the Morgan series, not only for its low mintage but also for its intriguing die varieties. Struck at the Carson City Mint, identified by the “CC” mint mark beneath the eagle on the reverse, this coin reflects the mint’s brief but storied role in transforming the silver of the American West into circulating coinage. In 1879, only 756,000 Morgan Dollars were produced in Carson City, a sharp drop from the previous year. Many were held in Treasury vaults and later released in the mid-20th century, though truly uncirculated examples remain relatively scarce. The issue is best known for two major varieties: the “Clear CC,” with bold, well-defined mint marks, and the “Capped Die” or “CC over CC,” where the mint mark appears partially obscured or repunched, resulting from die reuse and modification. Designed by George T. Morgan, the obverse bears the familiar profile of Liberty, while the reverse features a spread-winged eagle grasping arrows and an olive branch. Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, issued under the ongoing provisions of the Bland-Allison Act, the 1879-CC embodies a critical moment in the federal government’s effort to support domestic silver mining through large-scale coin production.