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The 1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar is a highly collectible first-year coin from the Carson City Mint, featuring Lady Liberty and a heraldic eagle.
Of the 2,212,000 originally minted, only about 295,000 survive today. These coins contain 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams with 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver.
The 1878 CC Silver Morgan Dollar coin’s worth depends on rarity, condition grade, and historical significance. Values range from hundreds of dollars for worn specimens to tens of thousands for pristine, uncirculated examples.
Counterfeits exist and can be identified by incorrect mintmark placement, wrong weight, dull sound, and blurry design details.
Notable varieties of this coin include rotated reverse dies, multiple VAM varieties like the “Crooked CC” mintmark, and various die cracks examples.
Unlike other 1878 Morgan dollars, all Carson City versions feature a 7-feather eagle, avoiding the famous 7-tail/8-tail controversy that affected the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar minted at Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Learn more below!
Take this quiz and test your knowledge on the topic of CC 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar coins. Take the quiz after you’ve read my guide for your best results.
What are 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollars?
1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollars are highly collectible first-year-of-issue silver dollars from the Carson City Mint.
These coins feature Lady Liberty on the front and a heraldic eagle on the back. 1878 CC Morgan Dollars are the scarcer (and more valuable) variant of the popular 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar.
Carson City Mint minted 2,212,000 in 1878 and nowadays only 295,000 survive. 1878 CC Silver Morgan dollars that no longer exist are either lost to time or have been melted for their pure silver content.
| Design | Lady Liberty in profile (obverse) wearing a Phrygian cap with a laurel wreath. She's surrounded by 13 stars and the date. Reverse shows a heraldic bald eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, encircled by the motto "E Pluribus Unum" and the coin's face value. |
| Year of issue | 1878 |
| Mint marks | "CC" (Carson City) |
| Mintage | 2,212,000 |
| Survival Rate | 13.3363% (295,000) |
| Denomination | $1 |
| Alloy | 90% pure silver and 10% copper. |
| Weight | 26.73 grams (0.859 troy ounces) |
| Diameter | 38.1 millimeters (1.5 inches). |
| Edge | Reeded |
| OBV Designer | George T. Morgan |
| REV Designer | George T. Morgan |
Note: 1987 CC Morgan Silver Dollars are made from 90% silver and 10% copper added for increased alloy strength.
This coin weighs 26.73 grams (0.859 troy ounces) which means it contains 24.057 grams (0.7734 troy ounces) of pure silver.
Are you a proud American who loves the 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollars and precious metal coins in general? Check this out next if you answered yes!
What is the Value and Worth of 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollar?
The value and worth of 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollar is hundreds of dollars for circulated coins to tens of thousands for uncirculated (Mint State) coins.
Worn out 1878 CC Silver Morgan’s easily fetch hundreds of dollar due to their rarity and historical significance. But certified, pristine examples are able to make their owners rich overnight.
The value and worth of an 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollar is determined by a combination of numismatic factors. These are rarity, condition (grade), mint mark, varieties/errors, and historical significance. Auction competition plays a big part too.
See below the potential-value table along with many example of CC 1878 Silver Morgan Dollars sold and auctioned for exuberant prices.
| Mint Grade | Value |
|---|---|
| MS-60 | 450-$800 |
| MS-61 | 600-$1,000 |
| MS-62 | 1,050-$1,200 |
| MS-63 | 1,300-$1,600 |
| MS-64 | 1,350-$1,700 |
| MS-65 | 1,700-$2,400 |
| MS-66 | 12,000-$17,000 |
| MS-67 | >$35,000 |
| MS-68 | >$45,000 |
| MS-69 | >$50,000 |
| MS-70 | >$60,000 |
Here’re some current auctions of 1878 CC Morgan Silver dollars. Keep in mind that coin collectors wage merciless bidding wars to win these coins.
Meaning 1878 CC Silver Morgan’s are highly valued and sell fast.
Are you a proud American who loves the 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollars and precious metal coins in general? Check this out next if you answered yes!
Are 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollars Associated With Any Notable Mint Errors? What are the Varieties of This Coin?
Yes, 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollars are associated with several notable mint errors.
I describe these right below along with example images further down.
- Rotated Reverse Die. Here the reverse is rotated, sometimes as much as 115 degrees, due to improper alignment of the obverse and reverse dies during striking.
- Multiple VAM Varieties. The 1878-CC issue has numerous “VAM” varieties (named after numismatic scholars Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis). These are minor but identifiable differences resulting from die imperfections, polishing, or clashes. Examples are “Crooked CC” Mintmark (VAM-9): This variety is identifiable by a noticeable crooked or misaligned “CC” mintmark on the reverse. “Doubled Leaves” (VAM-6): This variety features clear doubling in the leaves on the reverse of the coin.
- Die Cracks and Chips. Other varieties exhibit specific die cracks, chips (such as a “Die Chip Nostril” VAM-2A), or lines in the design elements like Liberty’s hair or the eagle’s wings.
Note: the famous 7-tail and 8-tail eagle mix up which famously affected the 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar didn’t happen to coins made from Carson City. All CC 1878 Morgan Silver Dollars have a 7-feather bald eagle on their reverse.
Are you a proud American who loves the 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollars and precious metal coins in general? Check this out next if you answered yes!
Do Fake 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollars Exist? How to Spot and Recognize Them?
Yes, fake 1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollars exist, and counterfeiters made and still make them due to their desirability as the first year of the series from the Carson City Mint.
Here’re are some common signs of fake 1878 CC Silver Morgan’s for you to learn so you don’t get duped.
- Incorrect mintmark placement/style (like using a taller 1880s “CC”);
- Weak “CC” mintmark. Fakes often have “CC” mintmarks that are too large, connected, or shaped like an “O”. Or they use mintmarks from other years (for example the taller ones from 1879-1893).
- Wrong design details. These are things like blurry or weak details on Liberty’s head, the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the breast feathers on the eagle.
- Wrong date or an off-looking date mark. The “8” in 1878 looks altered or incorrect.
- Wrong weight. The weight of a genuine 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollar is precisely 26.73 grams. Any more than that signifies a fake coin. Any less and you’re looking either at a fake coin, or one that’ s been clipped for its silver content.
- Wrong sound. Fake 1878 Silver Morgan Dollars always lack the distinct high-pitched ring of pure silver. Instead, they sound dull or “thuddy”. This is because other metals that visually look like silver don’t sound like it.
- Wrong rim. Counterfeit rims can appear too flat compared to the real coin’s rim.
Always ask around when in doubt. You could save a lot of money by being extra cautious.
Below is an example of a person who wanted to buy their first CC 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar. They took pictures of the specimen and posted on Reddit looking for advice.
It turned out the coin was fake and almost worthless.
Are you a proud American who loves the 1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollars and precious metal coins in general? Check this out next if you answered yes!
1878 CC Morgan Silver Dollar- What’s the Value of This Special Coin? (Conclusion)
The 1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar is a rare and highly collectible first-year coin from the Carson City Mint. It’s valued from hundreds of dollars for circulated pieces up to tens of thousands for pristine, uncirculated examples.
Its worth depends on condition, rarity (only about 295,000 survive from a mintage of 2,212,000), and historical significance.
Collectors should be aware of counterfeits and various numismatic varieties, such as rotated dies and VAM varieties like the “Crooked CC” mintmark.
References:
- 1878-CC Morgan Dollar : A Collector’s Guide- https://coinweek.com/1878-cc-morgan-dollar-a-collectors-guide/
- 1878 Carson City Morgan Silver Dollar Rotated 115 degrees Mint error- https://www.reddit.com/r/coins/comments/1b46upz/1878_carson_city_morgan_silver_dollar_rotated_115/
- Morgan Dollar, 1878-CC MS- https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/details/1878-cc-ms/970811878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-63 (PCGS).-https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/item/1878-cc-1/7080/2470687444958661191
- 1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-64+ (PCGS). CAC.- https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/item/1878-cc-1/7080/-4628744351975037361
- 1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-65 (NGC).- https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/item/1878-cc-1/7080/6186951534797976106
- 1878 CC Morgan Dollar PCGS MS63- https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/item/1878-cc-1/7080/7773696836626026014
- 1878 CC MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR – F 12- https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/item/1878-cc-1/7080/-2560123142702034246
- Morgan Dollar, 1878-CC MS- https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/details/1878-cc-ms/97081
- 1878-CC Morgan Dollar PCGS MS64- https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/item/1878-cc-1/97081/6954854351742603051
- 1878-CC Morgan Dollar- Real vs Fake- https://readingroom.money.org/1878-cc-morgan-dollar/
- 1878 CC Morgan Valuation Advice- https://www.reddit.com/r/coins/comments/1i5s7pk/1878_cc_morgan_valuation_advice/
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
