Expert: Ronald Fern - 7/22/2010

Question
Is there a special mark to determine the type of silver dollar.

Answer
Hi Yvonne:

Thanks for your question.

By special mark, I'm guessing what you mean is mint mark. The value of your coin depends date, mint mark and condition. The date you state is considered one of the more common Morgan dollars. The mint mark is found on the reverse of the coin directly below the eagles tail. In 1889, coins were minted with no mint mark for Philadelphia, a "CC" mint mark for Carson City, an "O" mint mark for New Orleans, and a "S" mint mark for San Francisco. Your coin contains a little over three fourths an ounce of pure silver. The dollar was struck in .900 fine silver. With silver at little over $18.00 a troy ounce, your dollar has a melt value of about $14.00.

See Link for melt value: http://www.coinflation.com/silver_coin_values.html

To grade your coins: http://coinauctionshelp.com/How_To_Grade_Morgan_Dollars.html
               
For date and specs. see: http://coinauctionshelp.com/page44.html
                
Values and mintages: http://coinauctionshelp.com/Morgan_Dollar_Mintages_Price_Guide.html

According to a recent issue of "Coin Values" Magazine, your coin with no mint mark or an "O" mint mark, would have a retail value of between $18 in Good condition to about $50 in Uncirculated condition.  A coin with a "S" mint mark is worth more, as fewer coins were struck. If your coin has a "S" mint mark, it would have a retail value of between $30 in Good condition to $175 in Uncirculated condition. A coin with a "CC" mint mark is worth even more, as even fewer coins were struck. If your coin has a "CC" mint mark, it would have a retail value of between $600 in Good condition to $25000 in Uncirculated condition. There are also several VAM varieties of the 1889-P and 1889-O dollars that are worth a premium. They are identified as VAM 23-A, and VAM 1-A. If your dollar has no mint mark or an "O" mint mark, let me know and I'll give you more information on the VAM varieties.

You may want to check ebay listings under US coins in the Morgan dollar category to see what these coins are going for. If you live close to a coin shop, they should offer you an opinion as to the condition, and value at no charge. Always try and get at least two opinions and try and deal with PNG dealers if possible. If you should decide to sell your coins to a dealer, remember they will offer about 50% to 60% of the retail value, but usually a little more with your "CC" mint mark silver dollar. Here's a link to find one in your area: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

For dollar history and facts, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_dollar
                            
Hope this helps. Again, if you want to send a photos of your coin, I'll review and update my original reply, as required.

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Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.