1889 Silver Dollar Value Guide

The 1889 Silver Dollar Value

The 1889-CC silver dollar is by far the most valuable version for this year. 

An 1889-CC silver dollar graded at MS 68 is over 30 times more valuable than the same grade from the Philadelphia Mint.

San Francisco 1889-S silver dollars are the second most valuable version. This is followed by New Orleans, with those from Philadelphia being the least valuable.

Proof strike coins range from $1,800 up to $73,000. 

There has only been a PR DCAM 66 professionally certified for the 1889 proof silver dollar. This is valued at $22,000. 

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1889 silver dollar with that grade, or no value information (or not enough) exists for it yet.

Additionally, all values are conservative estimates based on research. Please note all values are subject to change due to the market or circumstances unaccounted for during research and publication. We always recommend doing further research or consulting with a professional.

Melt Value

The 1889 silver dollar’s melt value is approximately $19. The melt value will fluctuate with the market.

Circulation Strike Value Chart

	Coin Names And Coin Values
Grade Names	1889 Silver Dollar	1889-CC Silver Dollar	1889-O Silver Dollar	1889-S Silver Dollar
Good – G	$36	$735	$38	$50
Very Good – VG	$38	$1,000	$41	$58
Fine – F	$39	$1,300	$45	$69
Very Fine – VF	$43	$2,400	$52	$80
Extra Fine – XF	$49	$4,500	$63	$113
About Uncirculated – AU	$52-$66	$8,000-$19,000	$90-$242	$142-$237
Mint State – MS	$72-$36,000 (68)	$27,000-$1,100,000 (68)	$275-$17,000 (66)	$287-$47,000 (67)

Circulation Strike Prooflike (PL) Value Chart

	Coin Names And Coin Values
Grade Names	1889 Prooflike Silver Dollar	1889-CC Prooflike Silver Dollar	1889-O Prooflike Silver Dollar	1889-S Prooflike Silver Dollar
AU 55 PL	N/A	$11,000	N/A	N/A
AU 58 PL	N/A	$18,000	N/A	$191
MS 60 PL	$82	$30,000	$372	$357
MS 61 PL	$92	$36,000	$487	$415
MS 62 PL	$132	$42,000	$662	$487
MS 63 PL	$175	$55,000	$1,100	$925
MS 64 PL	$330	$111,000	$1,700	$1,400
MS 65 PL	$937	$412,000	$8,500	$4,800
MS 66 PL	$3,400	N/A	N/A	$17,000
MS 67 PL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MS 68 PL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MS 69 PL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MS 70 PL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Circulation Strike Deep (Mirror) Prooflike (DPL/DMPL) Value Chart

	Coin Names And Coin Values
Grade Names	1889 Deep (Mirror) Prooflike Silver Dollar	1889-CC Deep (Mirror) Prooflike  Silver Dollar	1889-O Deep (Mirror) Prooflike Silver Dollar	1889-S Deep (Mirror) Prooflike  Silver Dollar
MS 60 DPL/DMPL	$130	$33,000	$425	$525
MS 61 DPL/DMPL	$182	$37,000	$590	$625
MS 62 DPL/DMPL	$282	$46,000	$1,000	$1,000
MS 63 DPL/DMPL	$435	$80,000	$2,900	$2,500
MS 64 DPL/DMPL	$1,300	$182,000	$7,500	$5,600
MS 65 DPL/DMPL	$2,900	N/A	$51,000	$32,000
MS 66 DPL/DMPL	$13,000	N/A	$90,000	$61,000
MS 67 DPL/DMPL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MS 68 DPL/DMPL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MS 69 DPL/DMPL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MS 70 DPL/DMPL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1889 Proof Silver Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60	$1,800
PR 61	$2,200
PR 62	$2,700
PR 63	$3,700
PR 64	$4,600
PR 65	$6,700
PR 66	$8,700
PR 67	$21,000
PR 68	$45,000
PR 69	N/A
PR 70	N/A

Cameo (CA/CAM) Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1889 Cameo Proof Silver Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 CA/CAM	N/A
PR 61 CA/CAM	$2,500
PR 62 CA/CAM	$3,000
PR 63 CA/CAM	$4,200
PR 64 CA/CAM	$5,700
PR 65 CA/CAM	$8,500
PR 66 CA/CAM	$14,000
PR 67 CA/CAM	$24,000
PR 68 CA/CAM	$73,000
PR 69 CA/CAM	N/A
PR 70 CA/CAM	N/A

Ultra/Deep Cameo (UC/DCAM) Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1889 Ultra/Deep Cameo Proof Silver Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 61 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 62 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 63 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 64 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 65 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 66 UC/DCAM	$22,000
PR 67 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 68 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 69 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 70 UC/DCAM	N/A

What Makes An 1889 Silver Dollar Valuable?

Different factors such as grading, rarity, strike types, and mint marks can all affect the value of an 1889 silver dollar. 

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

As with all coins, the higher the grade, the more valuable the coin.

Many 1889 silver dollars minted in Philadelphia and New Orleans are not the best quality.^1-2,5-6 This is due to the sheer volume of the mintage and overworked dies. 

In general, San Francisco 1889 silver dollars are of better quality.⁷  

Despite this, even the 1889 silver dollar’s lower grades of “good” up to “extra fine” are worth between $36 and $63.

All grades of the Carson City 1889 silver dollar are valuable, as it is such a rare coin.  

Rarity

The Mint minted 1889 silver dollars approximately 34,651,811 times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1889: 21,726,000 minted in Philadelphia^1-2
• 1889-CC: 350,000 minted in Carson City^3-4
• 1889-O: 11,875,000 minted in New Orleans^5-6
• 1889-S: 700,000 minted in San Francisco^7-8
• 1889 Proof: 811 minted in Philadelphia^17-18

The 1889-CC silver is the rarest of this year. It has a low mintage, many of which were also melted.⁴ These factors make the 1889-CC silver dollar a key date in the Morgan series, which is reflected in its high value.

Despite its relatively low mintage, the 1889-S silver dollar is not rare, save from the highest mint-state grades. It is still the second most valuable version for this year.

Philadelphia minted over 21 million 1889 silver dollars. This is the second-highest mintage of the entire Morgan series.³⁷ As such, the 1889 silver dollar is a common coin. 

Proof-strike silver dollars are valuable in all grades due to their small mintage.

Mint Marks

The U.S. Mint produced the 1889 silver dollar in 4 locations:

• Philadelphia: these coins (including proof versions) have no mint mark.^1-2,17-18
• Carson City: these coins have a “CC” mint mark^3-4
• New Orleans: dollars from this Mint have an “O” mint mark^5-6
• San Francisco: these have an “S” mint mark^7-8

The “CC” mint mark is by far the most valuable. It is followed by the “S” mint mark, then the “O” mint mark. Coins from Philadelphia (no mint mark) are the least valuable. 

Strike Types

The 1889 silver dollar has 2 strike types: circulation and proof.^22-23

There are also cameo and ultra/deep cameo versions of the proof coins. 

Proof coins tend to be more valuable versions because fewer were minted and fewer survived. 

However, 1889 has some rare circulation-strike versions, which are more valuable. 

The 1889-CC silver dollar’s value eclipses that of the proof version. An 1889-CC silver dollar with an MS 68 grade is over 24 times more valuable than a proof 1889 silver dollar with a PR 68 grade.

Design Variations

The 1889 silver dollar has no design variations.

Special Designations

Prooflike and deep (mirror) prooflike are the 2 special designations for the 1889 silver dollar.^2,4,6,8-16 

These special designations refer to a circulation-strike coin that exhibits some qualities of a proof-strike coin. The coin’s reflectivity is a key identifier for this special designation.

Prooflike and deep (mirror) prooflike coins usually range in grade from 60 to 70. However, the 1889-CC and the 1889-S silver dollars even have the prooflike designation for coins graded AU 55 and AU 58. 

Error Coins 

Because they create a unique coin, errors can sometimes add value to even the lowest-graded coin. 

Some errors known to increase the value of the 1889 silver dollar are:

• Off-Center²⁵
• Rotated dies²⁶
• Broadstrikes²⁷

Die Varieties

Die varieties are a series of coins struck with distinct markers. Sometimes, they are more obvious. Other times, they can be quite difficult to discern. 

A popular list of these varieties is VAMs. It was put together by Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis. “VAM” is taken from the initials of their last names. 

These are popular varieties with collectors and increase the value of the coins. Here are some examples of the 1889 silver dollar: 

• 1889 VAM-23A: slanted date, clashed obverse²⁸
• 1889-CC VAM-2: high 9, doubled 1, “CC” set right²⁹
• 1889-O VAM-6: doubled date, high “O”³⁰
• 1889-S VAM-2: right date, tilted “S”³¹

Composition

The 1889 silver dollar is 90% silver. While it will always be worth its weight in silver, this value depends on the fluctuating market. 

We advise against melting your coin as it will be worth more when selling it. 

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1889 Silver Dollar?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 1889 silver dollar (or any coin) and to get that value out of it is to have it professionally certified.

However, you can look for many elements to get you started in determining what coin you have.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

For higher-grade (and more valuable) coins, look for well-struck coins with clear details and few scratches or marks. 

If it has any scratches or marks, these should not be in prominent focal areas.

A coin with worn-away or faded details will likely be graded much lower. 

Mint Marks

To find your mint mark, look on the reverse side of your coin. It is below the bow of the wreath. 

If you have a “CC,” your coin came from the Carson City Mint. This is the most valuable and sought-after version.

An “S” mint mark means it came from San Francisco. This is the second most valuable version.

If there is an “O,” then your coin came from New Orleans. This is the third most valuable.

An 1889 silver dollar with no mint mark came from the Philadelphia Mint. This is the least valuable version. 

Strike Types

1889 proof silver dollars will be of a clearly higher standard than a circulation-strike coin. The details will be clear, the edges square and sharp, and it will have very few marks or scratches. 

For a cameo version, look for mirroring on the coin’s fields. The devices will exhibit some frosting. This creates a contrast that makes the device look like it is standing out from the coin.

This contrast is even more apparent on an ultra/deep cameo version. These are known to be a beautiful and valuable version of a proof coin.

Design Variations

The 1889 silver dollar has no design variations.

Special Designations

Determining a special designation is often hard. It is usually best to have a professional certify your coin. 

Prooflike and deep (mirror) prooflike circulation-strike coins have not gone through the special proof striking, but they show much better quality than regular circulation strikes. 

You’ll usually see this in coins struck with new dies.

Look for clear details and reflection on the fields of a prooflike coin. The deep (mirror) prooflike coins will show an even deeper reflectivity in their fields. 

Deep (mirror) prooflike coins are the most valuable, followed by prooflike and then regular circulation strike coins. 

Error Coins

Here are some ways to identify errors on your 1889 silver dollar.

Off-Center

An off-center error occurs when there is a misalignment of the die and the planchet. This results in the coin’s design being struck off-center. 

Luckily, this is an easy error to spot by just looking at your coin. 

Look at both sides of your coin to see if the design has been shifted off-center. This can be in any direction. Usually, some of the design will be missing. 

This error will increase the value of your coin.

Rotated dies

For a rotated die error, again, this is easy to determine by simply looking at your coin.

Hold your coin with the design in the vertical position. Now, flip your coin over. If the design does not align with the other side, then you have a rotated die error coin.

This will add value to your coin.

Broadstrike

When a coin is struck, it sits inside a collar. This collar keeps the planchet the correct size. 

If it is struck without this collar, the metal is able to expand, resulting in a larger coin. This is known as a broadstrike error.

So, for this error, check if your coin is larger than normal. The design will be complete on both sides, but it will have extra plain metal around the edge. 

A broadstrike error adds value to a coin. 

Die Varieties

While it is always best to consult with a professional when determining different die varieties, below are some tips to help get you started. 

1889 VAM-23A

For the 1889 VAM-23A, look at your coin’s obverse side.²⁸ There is evidence of strong die clashing around Liberty’s face. 

The most prominent is below her chin and to the left of her neck. Here you will see a diagonal line coming out from her neck and an inverted “in” from the reverse side. 

Clashing is also clearly visible around her lips. 

A faint “st” from “Trust” is seen by the lower part of her hair.  

Zigzag clashed lines will be present to the right of the bottom of her cap.

The date is slanted up to the right of its normal position.

This is the strongest clashing seen in the entire Morgan series. Unusually, there is no evidence of clashing on the reverse side. 

The 1889 VAM-23A is a Hot 50 Morgan VAM that is very popular and sought after by collectors.

1899-CC VAM-2

For this variety, look at the date on your coin’s obverse side.²⁹

The “9” will be positioned higher than the other numbers.

The “1” of the date will be slightly doubled. 

On the reverse side, the “CC” mint mark is set slightly to the right of its normal position.

1889-O VAM-6

Look at your coin’s obverse side and locate the date.

The “18” of the date “1889” will show very strong doubling at the bottom of the two numbers.³⁰ 

The “9” of the date will be doubled at the top. It will also be strongly doubled on the inside of the bottom loop.

On the coin’s reverse side, look for the mint mark below the wreath’s bow. The “O” will be set much higher than normal.

This is a Top 100 Morgan VAM variety, which increases the coin’s value. 

1889-S VAM-2

For the 1889-S VAM-2, look at your coin’s obverse side.³¹ You will see the date is further right than normal.

Now look at the mint mark below the wreath’s bow on your coin’s reverse side. This will be clearly tilted to the left. 

How To Spot A Fake 1889-CC Silver Dollar

Because the 1889-CC silver dollar is such a rare and valuable coin, it is ripe for forgery.^32-35 It is featured in the NGC’s Top 50 most counterfeited U.S. coins. 

Sometimes, it is simply a completely counterfeited coin. Other times, forgers are a little more inventive. Below are some pointers to help you identify a forged 1889-CC silver dollar.

However, it is always worth checking the authenticity of any coin you are looking to buy. You can ask the seller to have the coin professionally certified, or you can do so yourself. 

Added “CC” Mint Mark 

The 1889 silver dollar from the Philadelphia Mint is readily (and relatively inexpensively) available. So, forgers often use it as the starter coin for an 1889-CC forgery.  

Many forgers have simply taken this Philadelphia-minted coin and added a “CC” mint mark to the coin’s reverse side, thus counterfeiting a much more valuable coin.  

Make sure to check the “CC” mint mark on your coin’s reverse side. 

A counterfeited example may show signs of discoloration. You may also see marks or signs from tools around the mint mark and the date. The mint mark could also be in the wrong position. 

Spitting Liberty Counterfeits 

This counterfeit coin is known as the “Spitting Liberty.” This forgery gets its moniker from a die pit just in front of Liberty’s mouth. This makes it look like she is spitting. 

This is not to be confused with the “spitting eagle,” which is an authentic Morgan dollar die variety. 

Die pits are also evident around the “E Pluribus Unum” and some of the stars.

So, make sure to check your coin’s obverse side for this die pit in front of Liberty’s mouth. Also, look for pits in the shape of dots around the legend and stars.

This 1889-CC silver dollar forgery is linked to a series of other forgeries that have a fake date and mint mark (or sometimes just one of them). What connects this forgery to many others, is the use of a “China 6” or “China 9.” The U.S. Mint never used the font styles for these numbers. 

Check the “9” on the date on your coin’s obverse side. The “China 9” sees a much more rounded top loop of the “9” than on any U.S. coin.

Joined Coins

NGC has identified an 1889-CC silver dollar forgery that joined two sides of two different coins. 

The obverse side is of an 1889 silver dollar (probably a Philadelphia-minted coin), and the reverse side is of another year’s Morgan dollar that has the Carson City mint mark. 

This complex forgery gives the correct date with the correct mint mark. However, you can see signs of the join can around the coin’s edge.

Make sure to examine the edge of your 1889-CC silver dollar for signs of a “seam” or any other discrepancies. 

Additional Information About The 1889 Silver Dollar

History

The Morgan series ran continuously from 1878 to 1904. It returned for 1 year in 1921 and then was brought back 100 years later as a collectible coin in 2021 and on. 

Designed by and named after the British engraver George T. Morgan, the Morgan dollar is a key coin in any numismatist’s collection.

1889 sees the highest mintage of early Morgan dollars from the Philadelphia Mint. It comes second to 1921’s mintage.

San Francisco sees the fourth-lowest mintage. Most of these were never circulated and went straight into storage. Bags of these hoard coins were released in the late 1930s and 1940s and then again in the 1950s and 1960s. 

In 1889, the Carson City Mint began striking Morgan dollars after being closed for 4 years. It is believed that many coins from this already low mintage were melted.  

1889 was the third lowest mintage of the Morgan silver dollar from this Mint. It is a key date for the whole series. This is why the 1889-CC silver dollar is so valuable. 

^{Sources: 1-8,22-23}

The Coin’s Obverse Side

In the center of the 1889 silver dollar’s obverse side sits the left-facing profile of Lady Liberty. She wears a cap, flowers, and a headband inscribed with “Liberty.”

Circling the coin’s rim is “E Pluribus Unum” at the top. This means “Out of many, one” and is the motto of the United States of America. 

At the bottom of the coin is the year, “1889.” 

13 stars join the legends. 7 are on the left, and 6 are on the right. 

^{Sources: 1-2}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

A bald eagle with wings outstretched is in the center of the 1889 silver dollar’s reverse side. It holds 3 arrows and an olive branch in its talons. 

Above the eagle is “In God We Trust.” Below the eagle is a curved wreath tied with a bow.

If present, the mint mark will be below the wreath’s bow. There will be a “CC” for Carson City coins, an “O” for coins from New Orleans, or an “S” for San Francisco coins.

Curving around the coin’s rim is “United States of America” at the top and “One Dollar” at the bottom. A star separates these on each side. 

^{Sources: 1-8}

Sources

1889 Silver Dollar Value Guide Sources