Silver content
A Morgan or Peace silver dollar weighs 26.73 grams total and contains 90% silver, equaling approximately 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver. It does not contain one full troy ounce of silver.
Sell Morgan & Peace Silver Dollars in Upstate South Carolina
Morgan and Peace silver dollars are evaluated individually by date, mintmark, and condition,not melt value alone. Bring your coins to Clemson Coins, Currency & Bullion in Pendleton for a current, on-the-spot offer.
Sell Morgan & Peace Silver Dollars in Upstate South Carolina
Pendleton, SC · Serving Greenville, Anderson, Clemson, Easley, Pickens, Seneca and all of Upstate South Carolina
Morgan and Peace silver dollars are 90% silver coins with approximately 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver each, but their value is determined by date, mintmark, and condition,not melt value alone.
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When most people say “silver dollar,” they are picturing one of two series: the Morgan dollar, struck from 1878 to 1921, or the Peace dollar, struck from 1921 to 1935. Both are 90% silver by composition, but neither belongs in the same category as pre-1965 dimes, quarters, and half dollars. They are not junk silver. They are numismatic coins, and they are priced accordingly. At our Pendleton, South Carolina location, we regularly evaluate silver dollars for sellers from Greenville, Anderson, Clemson, Easley, Pickens, Lake Keowee, Seneca, and throughout the Upstate.
Understanding the difference between the two categories matters before you walk into any coin shop or accept any offer. The silver content of a Morgan or Peace dollar works out to roughly 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver. A coin’s actual value depends on three factors working together: date, mintmark, and condition.
What Affects My Morgan or Peace Dollar’s Value?
Date, mintmark, and condition work together to determine value. A common circulated coin may trade near its silver value, while a scarce date or high-grade example can carry a substantial collector premium. Sellers from Pendleton, Greenville, Anderson, Clemson, Easley, Pickens, and Seneca can bring coins in for an individual, on-the-spot evaluation.
Silver Content and Why These Coins Are Priced Differently
Why individual evaluation matters
Morgan and Peace dollars require individual evaluation rather than a bulk melt calculation. Learn more about Peace dollars from 1921–1935.
The Three Factors That Determine Value
Date
Age and value do not move in the same direction. An 1881-S Morgan dollar is a common coin even in the finest known condition, while the 1895 Morgan was struck only in proof format with a mintage of 880 coins and regularly brings five figures at public auction.
Mintmark
The mint is identified by a small letter on the reverse. For Morgan dollars, CC stands for Carson City, Nevada. Carson City issues can be desirable because of lower production figures, but date and mintmark must be evaluated together.
Condition
Condition is where value is captured or lost. Coins are graded on the Sheldon scale from 1 to 70. Common circulated coins may carry modest premiums, while uncirculated coins,especially MS-65 and above,can rise significantly in value.
Key Dates That Carry Collector Demand
Morgan dollars (1878–1921)
1893-S: Widely considered the key date of the entire series; circulated examples sell for thousands.
1895: Proof only, with no business strike; among the most coveted coins in American numismatics.
1889-CC: Rare Carson City issue.
1901: Scarce in all grades and often underappreciated by casual collectors.
1921-D: First year of the final Morgan revival, with a modest premium in uncirculated condition.
Peace dollars (1921–1935)
1921: First-year high-relief design, struck for one year only.
1928: Lowest mintage of the series at 360,649 coins.
1934-S and 1935-S: Both are conditionally scarce in higher grades.
Understanding Mintmarks
CC , Carson City
Carson City Morgans are generally desirable due to lower mintages. The 1883-CC is common after a Treasury release, while the 1889-CC remains genuinely scarce.
S , San Francisco
Generally well-struck and often found in higher grades.
O , New Orleans
Frequently weakly struck, which affects grade and value.
D , Denver
Appears only on 1921 Morgans and throughout the Peace dollar series.
No mintmark , Philadelphia
Some dates are common and some are key dates.
Condition and Professional Coin Grading
A coin that has lost most of its surface detail to circulation is called a cull. When the date is unreadable or the surfaces are heavily damaged, numismatic value is gone regardless of the date or mintmark.
Third-party grading services, primarily PCGS and NGC, authenticate and grade coins in sealed holders, eliminating subjectivity and providing a recognized standard for buying and selling. For any Morgan or Peace dollar that appears uncirculated or near-uncirculated, professional grading is worth considering before a transaction.
Earlier and Later Dollar Coins
Pre-1878 silver dollars
Seated Liberty dollars (1836–1873) and Trade dollars (1873–1885) are the most commonly encountered early issues. Any silver dollar struck before 1878 carries a floor value of $100 or more in virtually any condition, and many examples are worth considerably more. These coins always warrant individual examination.
Eisenhower dollars (1971–1978)
Standard circulation issues are copper-nickel clad and contain no silver. A 40% silver collector version was struck from 1971 to 1974 bearing an S mintmark. Standard issues are worth face value.
Susan B. Anthony dollars (1979–1981, 1999)
These are clad composition coins with no silver content and are generally worth face value.
Thinking About Selling Your Silver Dollars?
Whether you have a single Morgan dollar or an estate collection spanning decades, the evaluation process works the same way. Bring the coins in. Every coin is examined for date, mintmark, and condition, and an offer is made on the spot.
Payment is immediate, cash or check, with no consignment and no waiting. If your collection includes gold coins, silver bullion, or gold and silver jewelry, those can be evaluated at the same appointment. You can also review pre-1933 gold coin values and learn what gold jewelry may be worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What years are Morgan silver dollars?
Morgan silver dollars were minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. They are 90% silver with a silver content of approximately 0.7734 troy ounces per coin.
What years are Peace silver dollars?
Peace dollars were minted from 1921 to 1928 and again from 1934 to 1935. Like Morgans, they are 90% silver containing approximately 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver.
How much silver is in a Morgan or Peace dollar?
A Morgan or Peace silver dollar contains approximately 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver. Most examples sell for more than melt value based on date, mintmark, and condition.
What is the most valuable Morgan silver dollar?
The 1895 Morgan dollar is the most coveted issue in the series. It was struck only in proof format with a mintage of 880 coins and regularly sells for five figures or more. Other high-value dates include the 1893-S and the 1889-CC.
What does the CC mintmark mean on a Morgan dollar?
CC stands for Carson City, Nevada, the mint where the coin was produced. Carson City Morgans are generally desirable due to lower mintages. However, value varies significantly by date. The 1883-CC is common, while the 1889-CC is rare and commands a significant premium.
How is a silver dollar graded?
Silver dollars are graded on the Sheldon scale from 1 to 70. A grade of 70 is a perfect coin. Coins that have lost all readable detail are called culls and are valued at silver melt. Third-party grading services such as PCGS and NGC provide authenticated, sealed grades that are the recognized standard for buying and selling.
Are Eisenhower dollars silver?
Standard circulation Eisenhower dollars from 1971 to 1978 are copper-nickel clad and contain no silver. A 40% silver version was struck for collectors from 1971 to 1974 with an S mintmark. Most Eisenhower dollars are worth face value.
Where can I sell Morgan or Peace silver dollars in Upstate South Carolina?
Clemson Coins, Currency and Bullion in Pendleton, SC evaluates and purchases Morgan dollars, Peace dollars, and pre-1878 silver dollars based on date, mintmark, and condition. Located at 7611 Highway 76, Pendleton, SC 29670, serving Greenville, Anderson, Clemson, Easley, Pickens, Seneca and all of Upstate South Carolina. Payment is immediate, cash or check on the spot.
Bring Your Silver Dollars In for a Current Evaluation
Bring your Morgan dollars, Peace dollars, pre-1878 silver dollars, or inherited collection to Clemson Coins, Currency & Bullion in Pendleton for an individual evaluation based on date, mintmark, and condition.
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