1880-CC Morgan Silver Dollar, Carson City Mint, Coin/Bullion
Coin/Bullion · United States Mint, specifically produced at the Carson City, Nevada branch mint. The Carson City Mint operated from 1870 to 1893 and is historically renowned for producing lower-mintage silver coins that are highly sought after by numismatists worldwide.
Pattern: Morgan Dollar series, designed by United States Mint Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan. Introduced in 1878 and minted intermittently through 1904, and again in 1921. It remains one of the most widely collected and iconic coin series in American numismatic history.
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
United States Mint, specifically produced at the Carson City, Nevada branch mint. The Carson City Mint operated from 1870 to 1893 and is historically renowned for producing lower-mintage silver coins that are highly sought after by numismatists worldwide.
Material
Coin Silver composition consisting of 90 percent pure silver (.900 fine) and 10 percent copper, adhering to the legal standard for United States circulating silver coinage established by the Coinage Act of 1837.
Dimensions
Standard Morgan Dollar specifications include a diameter of 38.1 millimeters (1.5 inches), a thickness of approximately 2.4 millimeters, and a standard gross weight of 26.73 grams, containing approximately 0.77344 troy ounces of pure silver.
Description
An authentic 1880-CC Morgan Silver Dollar encapsulated in a protective numismatic holder. The reverse visible in the image displays a finely rendered heraldic eagle beneath the wreath and the prized 'CC' mint mark. The surfaces exhibit the typical luster and striking characteristics associated with late 19th-century United States coinage produced at the historic Carson City facility.
Key Features
The presence of the rare 'CC' mint mark, the 1880 date representing a lower mintage year for the Carson City facility, and the iconic reverse design by George T. Morgan featuring the American bald eagle.
Material & Composition
Coin Silver composition consisting of 90 percent pure silver (.900 fine) and 10 percent copper, adhering to the legal standard for United States circulating silver coinage established by the Coinage Act of 1837.
Finish & Decoration
Standard business strike finish with reeded edge, denticles along the rim, and detailed raised reliefs on both obverse and reverse. The reverse features a heraldic bald eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, encircled by an open wreath, with the distinctive small 'CC' mint mark located below the wreath.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Carson City mint mark 'CC' located on the reverse side of the coin directly above the denomination 'ONE DOLLAR'. The presence of this specific mint mark is the primary indicator of its origin and is critical for valuation.
Construction Details
Machine-minted using high-pressure coining presses, with blanks (planchets) punched from rolled alloy strips, edge-lettered or reeded via a collar die, and struck simultaneously on obverse and reverse dies.
Functional Features
Legal tender coin intended for commercial circulation under the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, featuring a reeded edge designed to discourage clipping or shaving of the precious metal content.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable to this item type, though the reeded edge provides a secure physical grip.
Craftsmanship Details
Exemplifies the high technical standards of the United States Mint during the late 19th century, featuring crisp lettering, balanced composition relief, and precise edge reeding produced by advanced minting machinery.
Authentication Indicators
Correct weight, diameter, and metallic composition consistent with a genuine 90 percent silver dollar. The typography, wreath details, eagle feather definition, and particularly the placement and style of the 'CC' mint mark match authentic dies of the period.
Origin & Manufacturing
Minted in Carson City, Nevada, United States, leveraging silver mined directly from the famed Comstock Lode during the height of the Western mining boom.
Era & Period
Late 19th Century, specifically the Gilded Age of American history (roughly spanning the 1870s to 1900), characterized by rapid industrialization and the expansion of the American West.
Age Estimate
Circa 1880, established by the explicit date stamped on the obverse and the emission period of the Carson City Mint for that year.
Cultural Significance
Represents the immense wealth generated by Western mining operations like the Comstock Lode and reflects the fierce political and economic debates regarding bimetallism and silver coinage in late 19th-century America.
Condition Notes
The coin is encased in a protective plastic slab, preserving its current numismatic grade. Surfaces show minor contact marks consistent with mint state or high-grade uncirculated conditions, with no major physical damage, cleaning, or structural alterations.
Value Estimate
Market value ranges significantly from several hundred to thousands of dollars depending heavily on the certified numerical grade assigned by a professional grading service such as PCGS or NGC.
Care & Maintenance
Store in a stable, climate-controlled environment within its protective holder. Never clean, polish, or wipe the coin, as doing so destroys its original surface texture and severely reduces its numismatic value.
Similar Pieces
Morgan Dollars minted at other facilities (Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Denver) and the subsequent Peace Dollar series introduced in 1921. Differentiated primarily by mint marks and mintage figures.
Interesting Facts
Carson City Morgan dollars are among the most famous coins in American history. A massive hoard of these coins was discovered in Treasury vaults in the 1960s and 1970s, leading to the famous General Services Administration (GSA) sales that revitalized modern coin collecting.