Coins · 1879 vs 1879-CC Morgan dollar
A tiny mint mark can change what a coin is worth
Where to look
The mint mark is on the reverse (tails side), below the wreath and just above the "DO" of DOLLAR. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark there.
⚑ Warning: Carson City (CC) dollars are faked by adding a mint mark to a common coin.
Philadelphia dollars with an added fake mint mark are made to look like rarer coins, and the 1879-CC is one of the dates listed by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Look for discoloration, glue or disturbed metal around the mint mark, and buy expensive Carson City coins only when certified by a grading service. Sources: PCGS silver dollar book, chapter 15; Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) counterfeit-detection article on Morgan dollars. How to spot fake coins
Values
| Grade | 1879 (Philadelphia) | 1879-CC (Carson City) |
|---|---|---|
| Very Fine (VF) | $51–$92Range, sources differ · 2 sources checked | $725–$1,175Range, sources differ · 2 sources checked |
| Extremely Fine (XF) | $54–$92Range, sources differ · 2 sources checked | $2,250–$2,600Range, sources differ · 2 sources checked |
| Mint State 63 (MS63) | $135–$150Range, sources differ · 2 sources checked | $7,930–$10,000Range: price guides $9,500–$10,000; recent auction sales $7,930–$8,845 · 3 sources checked |
Values vary by grade, eye appeal and market; checked Nov 2, 2026. This is an estimate, not an appraisal.
Sources: Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) CoinFacts price guide (VF20, XF40, MS63); Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) Price Guide (VF, XF, MS63); PCGS Auction Prices record of 2026 sales (Heritage Auctions, Stack's Bowers) for 1879-CC MS63. No single value was confirmed by two matching sources, so each is shown as a range.
Carson City made Morgan dollars in 1878–1885 and 1889–1893. 1893 was its last year (source: CoinWeek, "1893-CC Morgan Dollar"). Any "CC" Morgan dated after 1893 is not genuine.
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