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How to Grade CC Silver Morgans

These dollars were the product of the Carson City mines during the silver rush of the mid-19th century. The "CC" is the mark for the mint built to turn Nevada bullion into currency. Like all the dollar coins from 1878 until 1921 they are George T. Morgan's design so they are "Morgan dollars." They are 90 percent silver and from 1878 to 1885 and 1889 to 1893, Carson City minted so many that most of them went into storage in Washington, where they sat until March 1964. That was when paper dollars stopped being "silver certificates" exchangeable for silver on demand. Americans lined up to exchange paper for silver. And that new, brief silver rush released these long-stored coins.

Things You'll Need

  • Bright light
  • Loupe or magnifying glass
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Instructions

    • 1

      Hold the coin in your hand and look at it under a bright light. Form an impression of the general eye appeal and preservation of the dollar. Some coin dealers call this "getting in the ballpark."

    • 2

      Look at the eagle side of the coin. Find the mint mark under the eagle, approximately between the "D" and the "O" of the phrase "One Dollar." If you can read the mint mark without magnification the coin is at least "Fine." If you cannot, an appraiser would probably rate the coin either "Very Good," "Good" or "About Good."

    • 3

      Look at the eagle's wings and tail. If you see all the feathers in detail, the coin is at least "Very Fine."

    • 4

      Examine the eagle's wingtip for wear using a loupe or magnifying glass. Look at the detail of the feathers on the eagle's chest and head. If you can see these details, the coin may be graded "Extra Fine."

    • 5

      Flip the coin over and look at Lady Liberty's hair. Use magnification as necessary. If the hairline and all hair looks sharp and detail is visible where the hair joins Liberty's ear, the coin may be graded "About Uncirculated."

    • 6

      Look at both sides of the coin under magnification. Try to find defects and wear. If all the defects you find are small blemishes called "bag marks," then the coin is probably "Bank/Brilliant Uncirculated" or "Mint" grade. Finer quality coins without bag marks and with high luster are graded as "Proof" and are very rare.


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