1889-CC $1 MS PL

Key to Collecting: The 1889-CC dollar is one of the great keys in the Morgan series, and among Carson City issues it is far and away the most elusive. In comparison to the demand for them, examples are rare in all grades. However, for those who can afford one, attractive MS-63, 64, and 65 coins appear on the market with regularity, and gorgeous DMPL specimens are sometimes offered.

Surface Quality: Usually an average strike at best, often below average. The luster varies from rather shallow and satin-like to frosty, but usually not deeply frosty.

Prooflike Coins: Many 1889-CC dollars are semi-prooflike, more than 25% of the survivors it would seem. Some DMPL pieces exist and have cameo contrast.

Mintage and Distribution: Delivery figures by month: January–September, 0; October, 100,000; November, 100,000; December, 150,000. Of the 350,000 1889-CC dollars made, many thousands were paid out in the nineteenth century, yielding a supply of circulated pieces for numismatists today. Scattered single coins and small groups (no hints of bags) were paid out from the Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., in 1933 and 1934, such disbursements continuing over a long period of years. From pre1964 holdings stored out West, several bags of Mint State coins were held in Nevada and were described to me years ago. I had a chance to buy a bag, from Ben Stack, but did not. Where they are now, I do not know. However, as Mint State pieces are few and far between on the market today, some of these groups must still be tightly held, if, indeed, reports of them are true. After a while one tends to be a skeptic. On the other hand, in numismatics there is no end of surprises, and every few years an “impossible” hoard or large group of something or other comes on the market to surprise and delight all of us.

Although several die varieties have been identified from 10 obverse dies sent to Carson City for the 1889 coinage, and 7 reverses, they are not significant.