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The 1879 Morgan dollar proofs are very well made, with the vast majority offering nice cameo contrast against deeply mirrored fields. Non-cameo proofs represent a minority of known specimens and true deep cameos representing an even smaller number still. Most 1879 proof Morgan dollars are encountered in grades of PR60-64, with Gems grading PR65 or higher very scarce but not necessarily rare.
Obverse Description
Portrait of Liberty centered. On the left are found 7 stars with the words E*PLURIBUS*UNUM followed by 6 stars on the right. The date is positioned at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The heraldic eagle is centered holding a bunch of arrows and branch surrounded by and olive leaves. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * ONE DOLLAR frame the periphery. Mint mark, if any, appears above the letters DO of DOLLAR.
Book Reference
Key to Collecting: The 1879 dollar is very plentiful in all grades, as you might expect from the mintage figure. Mint State coins abound, but the quality of strike and luster can vary widely.
Surface Quality: Most examples are fairly well struck. Many have lightness of center details particularly noticeable above the ear of Liberty, this being typical for nearly all of the series from this point forward. The extra metal needed to flow into the rounded breast of the eagle on the Reverse of 1879 dies took away from metal available to fill the high points on the obverse, resulting in some loss of detail. Usually seen lustrous, sometimes grainy if a particular die has been used for a long period of time.
Prooflike Coins: Prooflike coins exist, including some with high contrast. Many are onesided prooflikes. Prooflike coins are scarce in comparison to frosty, lustrous examples.
Mintage and Distribution: Although dollars of this date have been plentiful from day one, indicating release near the time of coinage, many bags remained in storage. In Mint State supplies were plentiful in the 1950’s and 1960’s, often trading in quantity. However, few remained by the time of the Treasury releases of 1962 through 1964.
PROOF STRIKES:
Mintage: Mint record, 1,100. Breen comment: “250 coined in first quarter, 500 in second, total 750; of these 100 were melted in January 1880, leaving 650 net mintage.”9 I find the 650 figure to be unlikely in view that in proportion to the survival of other dates, there are too many certified coins; 1,100 or close to it seems to be more correct.
Key to Collecting: Most are of low contrast. Striking quality is average. Although the mintage is high, the challenge for quality is high as well.
VARIETIES:
Made for the coinage were 129 obverse dies and 86 reverse dies, although it is not known if all were used. In any event, reverse dies could be held over for use in a future year. There are many minor die variations, but none significant.
Catalog Information
GSID:
7793
Designer:
George T. Morgan
Obverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
Obverse Lettering:
E PLURIBUS UNUM, LIBERTY, 1879
Reverse Designer:
George T. Morgan
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST, ONE DOLLAR
Fineness:
0.9
Weight (gr):
26.73 gr
Weight (oz):
0.8594 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.7734 oz
Strike Type:
Proof
Diameter:
38.1
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Reeded
Coin Date:
1879
Denomination:
$1
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
1,100
Coinage Type:
Morgan silver dollar
Coinage Years:
1878-1921
Composition:
90% silver; 10% copper
PCGS #:
7314
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Coin Value History
1879 $1 PR
Value By Grade
1879 $1 PR
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR67 |
|
$14,500 | $1,234 |
| PR67 | - | $12,000 | $1,234 |
| PR66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Morgan Dollar $1 1878-1921 PR [Type]
![Morgan Dollar $1 1878-1921 PR [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/20201003/auctions_stacksbowers_com_lots_view_1_1dciu-0.20201003221013187.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $900 – $150,000
1878 7TF $1 Reverse of 1878 PR
Worth: $3,150 – $70,000
1878 7TF $1 Reverse of 1879 PR
Worth: $22,000 – $144,000
1878 8TF $1 PR
Worth: $2,420 – $39,600
1878 8TF $1 Presentation Piece, First Die Pair, VAM-9 SP
1878-S $1 Specimen Strike, VAM-58 SP
1878-S $1 Specimen Strike, Long Knock, VAM-60 SP
Worth: $220,000 – $264,000
1879-O $1 PR BM
Worth: $175,000 – $175,000
1880 $1 PR
Worth: $1,100 – $150,000
1881 $1 PR
Worth: $1,100 – $33,000
1881-O $1 PR BM
Worth: $660,000 – $660,000
1882 $1 PR
Worth: $1,100 – $30,000
1883 $1 PR
Worth: $1,100 – $32,000
1883-O $1 PR BM
Worth: $200,000 – $240,000
1884 $1 PR
Worth: $1,100 – $12,000
1879 $1 PR62 PCGS....
$3,120
1879 $1 PR60 NGC. NGC Census: (7/253). Mintage 1,100. ...
$2,400
1879 $1 PR66 NGC....
$4,800
1879 $1 PR63 PCGS. CAC....
$4,680
1879 $1 PR55 PCGS. PCGS Population: (7/338). NGC Census: (2/259). CDN: $1,050 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR55. Mintage 1,100. ...
$1,440
1879 $1 PR64 PCGS. ...
$3,600
1879 $1 PR65 PCGS. ...
$3,600
1879 $1 PR61 PCGS. ...
$1,586
1879 $1 PR58 NGC. ...
$830
1879 $1 PR67 NGC. CAC. ...
$18,800
$1,035
1879 S$1 PR68 NGC....
$18,975
1879 $1 PCGS Proof 62
$3,250
1879 $1 PR60 PCGS. PCGS Population: (15/317). NGC Census: (6/248). CDN: $1,800 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR60. Mintage 1,100....
$2,280
1879 $1 PR66+ NGC. ...
$7,800
1879 $1 PR63 PCGS....
$3,120
1879 $1 PR55 PCGS. PCGS Population: (7/337). NGC Census: (1/258). CDN: $1,250 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR55. Mintage 1,100. ...
$1,050
1879 $1 PR64 NGC. NGC Census: (72/81). PCGS Population: (98/44). CDN: $3,600 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS PR64. Mintage 1,100. ...
$3,360
1879 $1 PR65 PCGS. ...
$3,600
1879 $1 PR61 NGC. ...
$2,232
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