1880 Silver Dollar Value Guide

The 1880 Silver Dollar Value

Of the regular circulation-strike 1880 silver dollars, those from the Carson City Mint are the most valuable across the grades up to low mint state.

Those from Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco have comparable values across the grades.

For high mint-state grades, New Orleans is the most valuable at $133,000 for an MS 66, followed by San Francisco at $97,000 for an MS 69.

The various versions from Carson City, such as the 1880/79-CC Reverse of 1878, the 1880-CC 8/High 7, and the 1880-CC 8/Low 7 have comparable values.

Proof-strike versions hold a consistently high value from approximately $1,400 to $175,000. 

An N/A for a value below indicates no publicly known examples of that version of the 1880 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 1880 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	1880 Silver Dollar	1880-CC Silver Dollar	1880/79-CC Reverse of 1878 Silver Dollar	1880-CC 8/High 7 Silver Dollar	1880-CC 8/Low 7 Silver Dollar	1880-O Silver Dollar	1880/79-O Silver Dollar	1880-S Silver Dollar
Good – G	$36	$215	$217	N/A	$216	$36	$47	$36
Very Good – VG	$38	$275	$250	N/A	$230	$38	$48	$38
Fine – F	$39	$298	$286	N/A	$257	$39	$52	$39
Very Fine – VF	$43	$361	$347	$326	$313	$43	$59	$43
Extra Fine – XF	$49	$402	$398	$386	$365	$50	$72	$49
About Uncirculated – AU	$52-$66	$430-$557	$472-$627	$430-$567	$427-$585	$60-$112	$97-$150	$52-$66
Mint State – MS	$75-$38,000 (67)	$600-$24,000 (67)	$717-$11,000 (66+)	$715-$25,000 (67)	$755-$27,000 (67)	$142-$133,000 (66)	$195-$20,000 (65)	$72-$97,000 (69)

Circulation Strike Prooflike (PL) Value Chart

	Coin Names And Coin Values
Grade Names	1880 Prooflike Silver Dollar	1880-CC Prooflike  Silver Dollar	1880/79-CC  Reverse of 1878 Prooflike  Silver Dollar	1880-CC 8/High 7 Prooflike  Silver Dollar	1880-CC 8/Low 7 Prooflike Silver Dollar	1880-O Prooflike  Silver Dollar	1880/79-O Prooflike  Silver Dollar	1880-S Prooflike  Silver Dollar
MS 60 PL	$135	$637	$750	N/A	N/A	$272	$432	$92
MS 61 PL	$155	$695	$845	$767	N/A	$312	$510	$102
MS 62 PL	$232	$800	$1,000	$852	$842	$487	$332	$117
MS 63 PL	$277	$1,000	$1,500	$972	$990	$1,200	$1,400	$162
MS 64 PL	$347	$1,200	$3,400	$1,000	$1,300	$3,400	$3,800	$202
MS 65 PL	$1,200	$1,800	$5,300	$1,500	$1,500	$40,000	$46,000	$312
MS 66 PL	$6,300	$4,500	N/A	$2,800	$4,400	N/A	N/A	$562
MS 67 PL	N/A	$42,000	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$2,200
MS 68 PL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$9,000
MS 69 PL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$138,000
MS 70 PL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

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

	Coin Names And Coin Values
Grade Names	1880 Deep (Mirror) Prooflike Silver Dollar	1880-CC Deep (Mirror)  Prooflike  Silver Dollar	1880/79-CC  Reverse of 1878 Deep (Mirror)  Prooflike Silver Dollar	1880-CC 8/High 7 Deep (Mirror)  Prooflike Silver Dollar	1880-CC 8/Low 7 Deep (Mirror)  Prooflike  Silver Dollar	1880-O Deep (Mirror)  Prooflike  Silver Dollar	1880/79-O Deep (Mirror)  Prooflike  Silver Dollar	1880-S Deep (Mirror)  Prooflike  Silver Dollar
MS 60 DPL/DMPL	$142	$750	$1,000	N/A	N/A	$492	$542	$145
MS 61 DPL/DMPL	$200	$787	$1,400	N/A	N/A	$712	$775	$177
MS 62 DPL/DMPL	$305	$842	$1,600	N/A	N/A	$1,300	$1,400	$230
MS 63 DPL/DMPL	$500	$1,200	$2,600	$1,200	$1,500	$3,000	$2,400	$295
MS 64 DPL/DMPL	$1,400	$2,400	$6,400	$2,300	$3,200	$6,300	$7,900	$437
MS 65 DPL/DMPL	$4,300	$6,300	$12,000	$6,500	$5,500	$70,000	$61,000	$962
MS 66 DPL/DMPL	$22,000	$24,000	N/A	$47,000	$22,000	N/A	N/A	$2,400
MS 67 DPL/DMPL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$9,000
MS 68 DPL/DMPL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$31,000
MS 69 DPL/DMPL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MS 70 DPL/DMPL	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Proof Strike (PR) Value Chart

1880 Proof Silver Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
AU 58	$1,400
PR 60	$1,800
PR 61	$1,900
PR 62	$2,800
PR 63	$3,500
PR 64	$4,500
PR 65	$6,500
PR 66	$8,700
PR 67	$16,000
PR 68	$32,000
PR 69	$72,000
PR 70	N/A

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

1880 Cameo Proof Silver Dollar
Grade Names	Coin Values
PR 60 CA/CAM	N/A
PR 61 CA/CAM	$2,400
PR 62 CA/CAM	$3,000
PR 63 CA/CAM	$4,000
PR 64 CA/CAM	$5,500
PR 65 CA/CAM	$8,200
PR 66 CA/CAM	$12,000
PR 67 CA/CAM	$19,000
PR 68 CA/CAM	$47,000
PR 69 CA/CAM	$175,000
PR 70 CA/CAM	N/A

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

1880 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	N/A
PR 67 UC/DCAM	$28,000
PR 68 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 69 UC/DCAM	N/A
PR 70 UC/DCAM	N/A

What Makes An 1880 Silver Dollar Valuable?

Factors such as grading, mint marks, rarity, strike types, and die varieties can all make a coin more valuable.

Let’s start with grading.

Grading

Circulation-strike coins range in grade from ungradable to mint-state 70. The higher the grade, the higher the coin’s value. 

Mint-state grades of the 1880-O silver dollars from New Orleans are rare, further increasing their value. They currently range from approximately $142 to $133,000 and up. 

Coin-grading bodies have graded San Francisco 1880-S silver dollars up to MS 69, which is very high for a Morgan dollar.

Rarity

The Mint minted 1880 silver dollars approximately 27,301,355 (originally 27,397,355) times across all of its versions. Please see the following list for the breakdown for each version:

• 1880: 12,600,000 minted in Philadelphia^1-2
• 1880-CC: 495,000 (originally 591,000) minted in Carson City^3-4
• 1880/79-CC Reverse of 1878: Part of the 1880-CC mintage^5-6
• 1880-CC 8/High 7: Part of the 1880-CC mintage^7-8
• 1880-CC 8/Low 7: Part of the 1880-CC mintage^9-10
• 1880-O: 5,305,000 minted in New Orleans^11-12
• 1880/79-O: Part of the 1880-O mintage^13-14
• 1880-S: 8,900,000 minted in San Francisco^15-16
• 1880 Proof: 1,355 minted in Philadelphia^17-18

Due to most of the mintage circulating, regular 1880-O silver dollars in high-mint state grades are this year’s rarest version. ^11-12 This rarity is reflected in its high value.

The 1880-CC silver dollars with the reverse of 1878 are not particularly rare, but they are very popular with collectors.⁶

Despite the relatively high mintage of 1880 proof coins, their high grades are rare. Cameo and ultra/deep cameo versions are particularly rare and valuable.^39-43

Carson City originally minted 591,000 silver dollars in 1880. However, nearly 100,000 of those coins did not meet silver standards and were melted in 1881. ⁴

Mint Marks

There are 3 mint marks for this coin:

• “CC” from Carson City^3-4
• “O” for New Orleans^11-12
• “S” for San Francisco^15-16

Coins without a mint mark came from Philadelphia.^1-2 1880 proof silver dollars also came from Philadelphia, so they don’t have a mint mark either. ^39-40 

1880 silver dollars with a “CC” mint mark are the most valuable. The “O” mint mark is the most valuable in the higher mint-state grades. 

Strike Types

The 1880 Morgan silver dollar has 2 strike types: circulation and proof. ^44-45

Proof coins are struck by a different process and with greater care. This makes their quality far better than their circulation-strike counterparts.

Proof strikes range in grade from 60 to 70. However, their grade can sometimes be lower than 60 if they have been damaged or show signs of wear. These are known as “impaired” proofs.

Cameo and ultra/deep cameo versions of proof coins also exist. These are usually more desirable versions and, thus, more valuable.

Design Variations

There is one design variation for the 1880 silver dollar: the Reverse of 1878. ^5-6. You’ll see this on some of the Carson City Mint’s 1880 silver dollars.

The original reverse of 1878 features an eagle with a concave chest and looks rather flat. It was criticized and amended to the rounded breast we see on most Morgan dollars. 

A number of these reverse dies were sent to Carson City and mistakenly used in 1880. ^5-6 

Some of them were also paired with an obverse die that had an 1880/79 overdate. This is where the original date of 1879 was repunched with 1880, but parts of the “7” and “9” are still visible.

So, we get an interesting variety of an 1880/79 overdate obverse paired with the reverse of 1878.  

While this isn’t an overly rare coin, it is highly sought after by collectors. 

It is also worth noting that this reverse of 1878, found on some 1880 silver dollars, features the eagle with 7 tail feathers rather than the 8-tail feather variety.

Special Designations

This coin has 2 special designations: prooflike and deep (mirror) prooflike. ^{2,4,6,12,16-38} 

Deep (mirror) prooflike is the most valuable version, followed by prooflike and then regular circulation-strike coins. Exceptional rarity is usually the only time this order of value is different.  

Error Coins 

An error occurs when a mistake or accident happens during the striking process. This is also known as a “mint error.”

Some errors can significantly increase the value of a coin, others not so much.

Some known errors for the 1880 silver dollar are off-center and struck-through. ⁴⁶ 

An off-center error usually adds value to a coin, even in the lower grades. A strike-through error, on the other hand, doesn’t tend to add much value. 

Die Varieties

Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis created a list of die varieties relating exclusively to Morgan and peace dollars. These die varieties are VAMs (taken from the initials of their last names). 

VAM varieties are popular in numismatic circles and often reach a premium.

Some such examples of the coin are:

• 1880 VAM-1A2: this features a broken knob on the 8 and a die break ⁴⁷
• 1880-CC VAM-4: this is an example of the reverse of 1878 paired with the overdate obverse ⁴⁸ 
• 1880-O VAM-6: an overdate obverse variety ⁴⁹ 
• 1880-S VAM-8: another overdate variety also with some doubling ⁵⁰

Composition

This coin is 90% silver. It will always be worth its weight in silver, but the value depends on the fluctuating market.

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

How Do You Know If You Have A Valuable 1880 Silver Dollar?

The best way to know if you have a valuable 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 the more valuable higher mint-state grades, look for well-struck coins with a nice luster and few imperfections.

However, even the lowest “good” grades are worth at least 36 times the face value. These will show more signs of wear and imperfections.

If you are looking to complete a set, you can easily and relatively inexpensively find mint-state 1880 silver dollars from the Philadelphia Mint. 

Mint Marks

Look at its reverse side to find the mint mark on your coin. It is just below the bow of the laurel wreath.

A “CC” mint mark means your coin came from the Carson City Mint. This is the most valuable mint mark.

If your coin came from New Orleans, an “O” mint mark will be present. This mark is most valuable in the high mint-state grades.

An “S” mint mark means your coin came from San Francisco. It is the second most valuable version in the higher mint-state grades.

If your coin has no mint mark, it came from the Philadelphia Mint.

Strike Types

Most proof coins are of exceptional quality with clear details, sharp strikes, and square edges. 

If your coin shows signs of wear or damage, it may be graded as an “impaired” proof. However, even an “impaired” proof graded at AU 58 is worth over a thousand dollars.

Cameo and ultra/deep cameo versions of the 1880 proof silver dollar are rare. These will show an increasing contrast between the mirroring of the coin’s fields and the frosting of the coin’s devices. 

Design Variations

To establish if you have an 1880 silver dollar with the reverse of 1878, first check that your coin comes from the Carson City Mint. Look for the “CC” mint mark below the wreath’s bow on the reverse side of your coin. 

The key identifier for the reverse of 1878 is the eagle on that side. 

Look at the eagle’s chest. It shows a flat chest without many details on the feathers. It makes it look like its chest is sunken. 

The next thing to look for is straight arrow feathers, which the eagle holds in its talons. For the reverse of 1878, you will see that the top arrow feather is straight and parallel with the other feathers and the arrow shaft. 

Regular reverses of the 1880 silver dollar feature an eagle with a pronounced, rounded chest, and the top arrow feather will be angled at the top.

Special Designations

The main indicator of a prooflike or deep (mirror) prooflike coin is the coin’s reflectivity. 

Check the fields on both sides of your coin for reflectivity or mirroring. 

Remember, these are still circulation-strike coins, so they will only exhibit some of the qualities of proof coins. 

Special designations can be tricky to identify, so we recommend working with a professional.

Error Coins

Luckily, an off-center error is easy to establish. Look at either side of your coin for the design to be shifted off-center. It can be in any direction. Some of the coin’s design will also be missing.

The amount a coin is off-center is referred to in percentages, such as 5% or 40%.

This error will increase the value of your coin.

Struck-through errors are a little harder to determine. You will want to examine your coin for signs and impressions of objects that are not supposed to be there.

This can be in the form of lines, grooves, or indentations. It can be on either side of the coin. 

If the struck-through error is very pronounced, it can increase the value of your coin; otherwise, it won’t add any significant value.

Die Varieties

Below are some tips on identifying some of the VAM varieties for the 1880 silver dollar.

1880 VAM-1A2

 For this variety, first look on the obverse side of your coin. ⁴⁷

The first “8” of the date will show a broken knob on the top right corner. This looks like a large blob of metal. It is quite distinctive. 

There is also a die crack to the right of this first “8” of the date. 

So, look for a crack running from the denticles up along the right side of the “8” up to the hair and neck of Liberty. It will be just to the right of Morgan’s initial “M.”

Look for a die break running horizontally around the lower part of the wreath’s bow on the reverse side of your coin.

This is a Top 100 and WOW! Morgan VAM. 

1880-CC VAM-4

This variety shows a strong overdate.⁴⁸ So, locate the date at the bottom of the obverse side of your coin.  You may want to use a loupe or some other form of magnification. 

You will see the bottom of the “7’s” crossbar in the upper loop of the second “8” and the stem of the “7” going diagonally through the lower loop of the “8.”

In the middle of the “0,” you will see evidence of the original “9.”

The coin’s reverse side will have the eagle with the flat chest and almost blurred feather details. The top arrow feather will also be straight. 

This is a Top 100 Morgan VAM and a very popular variety with collectors. An 1880-CC VAM-4 is valued at nearly $4,700 for an MS 64.^52-53

1880-O VAM-6 

Like the 1880-CC VAM-4, the 1880-O VAM-6 has the repunched date.⁴⁹ It is also a popular variety and a Top 100 Morgan VAM.

Look at the second “8” of the date for this variety. On the top left-hand side, you will see a clear spike extending out from the “8.” You will also see the remnants of the previous “7” on the inside of the “8’s” upper loop.

On your coin’s reverse side, look at the wreath on the left-hand side next to the “Un” of “United.” A die gouge will run vertically up through the leaves and one of the olives.

The small “O” mint mark is set slightly to the right. 

1880-S VAM-8

The 1880-S VAM-8’s details are on the date at the bottom of your coin’s obverse side. ⁵⁰

The “18” at the beginning will show doubling on the bottom, the right-hand side, and inside the loops of the “8.”

Evidence of the repunched date is inside the “80.” The top loop of the “8” has raised metal inside and a slight spike coming out of the left-hand side. This raised metal is also inside the “0.”

This is a Top 100 Morgan VAM, which will increase the value of the coin.

Additional Information About The 1880 Silver Dollar

History

The Morgan silver dollar series ran uninterrupted from 1878 to 1904. The Mint produced it again for 1 year in 1921 and then brought it back 100 years later in 2021 (and on) as a collectible coin.

The Morgan dollar takes its name from its designer, George T. Morgan, a British engraver who the U.S. Mint employed. 

At the time of the Morgan dollar mintage, Morgan was an Assistant Engraver. He held this position for 41 years. He finally became Chief Engraver of the United States Mint in 1917. He continued as Chief Engraver until his death in 1925.

The GSA Hoard sales of the 1970s and 1980s didn’t see the release of many 1880 silver dollars from New Orleans.¹² It is presumed most went into circulation or were melted. 

The 1880-S silver dollar is one of the most common in the Morgan series.^15-16 They have been graded even up to MS 69.

The Coin’s Obverse Side

The profile of Lady Liberty fills the majority of the 1880 silver dollar’s obverse side. In her hair, she wears a headband inscribed with “Liberty,” a Phrygian cap, and flowers. Morgan’s initial, “M,” is at the base of her neck.

Following the rim of the coin at the top is “E Pluribus Unum.” This is America’s Latin motto, meaning “Out of many, one.”

Seven stars curve down from the left of the motto, and six stars are on the right of the motto. The 13 stars represent the 13 colonies that declared independence in 1776.

At the bottom of the coin is the year, “1880.”

^{Sources: 1-2}

The Coin’s Reverse Side

The 1880 silver dollar’s reverse side features a heraldic eagle in the center. It has raised wings and holds an olive branch and three arrows in its talons.

Above the eagle’s head is “In God We Trust.” Below the eagle is a curved wreath tied with a bow. Morgan’s initial “M” is on the left loop of the bow.

If present, the mint mark will be located below this bow. A “CC” is for coins from Carson City. An “O” is for those from New Orleans. An “S” is for dollars from San Francisco.

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

^{Sources: 1-4,11-12,15-16}

Sources

1880 Silver Dollar Value Guide Sources