Are you looking to add the 1891 Silver Dollar to your coin collection? Chances are, you want to know its value.
The 1891 Silver Dollar is a valuable coin, highly sought-after by coin collectors and investors alike. For over a century, the 1891 Silver Dollar has held a significant place in the world collection.
It’s among the most coveted coins in the world for its age, rich history, and rarity. But more on that later.
In this comprehensive guide, we will look at the different aspects of the 1891 Silver Dollar, including its details, value, history, and common errors.
Ready to learn more about this rare coin? Keep reading!
1891 Silver Dollar Details
- Category: Morgan Dollars
- Mint: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark), New Orleans, Carson City
- Designer: George T. Morgan
- Metal Composition:90% Silver–10% Copper
- Fineness:9
- Diameter: 38.1mm
- Weight:73 grams
- ASW:7734oz
- Edge: Reeded
Before we can look at the 1891 Silver Dollar value, let’s first discuss the details of this beautiful coin.
The Obverse Side
The 1891 Silver Dollar offers a beautiful representation of 19th-century America. On the Observer side, the coin depicts Lady Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap–a symbol of freedom.
George T. Morgan based the likeness of Lady Liberty on Ann Willes Williams, a Philadelphia schoolteacher and daughter to one of his friends, Henry Williams.
According to Morgan, Ann’s profile was the most nearly perfect he had ever seen and worked on. He described Miss Williams as having a fair complexion, blue eyes, a Grecian nose, and golden hair.
Despite the efforts of keeping Miss Williams anonymous, a Philadelphia newspaper unmasked her as “Silver Dollar Girl”. As a result, she received thousands of offers for acting jobs and public appearances, plus fan mail and visitors. Based on some accounts, she never liked the publicity.
On the crown or headdress, the word “LIBERTY” is engraved. In addition, you will notice leaves, flowers, and wheat stalks, all representing prosperity.
Around the rim of the coin is the U.S. motto “E Pluribus Unum”, which means “Out of Many, One”. There are also 13 pointed stars (which symbolize the original colonies) and the year of pressing.
The Reverse Side
The reverse side of the 1891 Silver Dollar coin features several elements, the most noticeable one being the Bald Eagle. It’s depicted with its wings raised and clutching an olive branch and a cluster of arrows in its talons to embody the concept of freedom, strength, and peace.
In the first coin pressing, the slender eagle featured 8 tail feathers. But they were reduced to 7 in later pressings to continue with the tradition of displaying an odd number of feathers on a United States eagle.
The words United States of America and “One Dollar” are carved around the beautiful bird. Directly above the eagle, we have another U.S. motto, “In God We Trust”.
The reverse side of this Morgan Silver Dollar coin also includes the mint mark (between the D and O on the DOLLAR engraving): Carson City (CC), San Francisco (S), New Orleans (O), and Philadelphia (no mint mark).
The observer and reverse sides have a reeded age all the way around to help differentiate the coin from others of its size.
This Morgan Silver Dollar coin offers a perfect balance between age and innovation. It reflects the rich 19th-century American history while breaking the design traditions.
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1891 Silver Dollar Value Chart
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1891 No Mint Mark Silver Dollar Value | $28 | $40 | $48 | $54 |
| 1891 “CC” Silver Dollar Value | $83 | $117 | $165 | $222 |
| 1891 “O” Silver Dollar Value | $26 | $38 | $48 | $64 |
| 1891 “S” Silver Dollar | $28 | $40 | $48 | $54 |
1891 Silver Dollar Value and Varieties Guide
With the details of this coin out of the way, join us as we discuss the 1891 Silver Dollar coin value, based on their U.S. mint location.
1891 Silver Dollar with No Mint Mark Value
- Type: Morgan Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: No Mint Mark
- Place of Minting: Philadelphia
- Year of Minting: 1891
- Face Value: $1
- $ Price: $28 – $12,000
- Mintage: 8,693,556
- Designer: George T. Morgan
The 1891 Silver Dollar with no mint mark was struck at the Philadelphia mint factory (the oldest and most Historic Mint in America) in Pennsylvania. With a mintage of 8,693,556, this 1891 Silver Dollar is the most common out of the four variants.
The value of these Morgan Silver Dollar coins varies based on their condition: Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, or Uncirculated.
In today’s market, an 1891 no-mint mark silver dollar in good condition is worth around $28. If the coin is in fine condition, it can bring in $40. If you find a coin in an extremely fine state, it can sell for at least $42.
As for uncirculated conditions, the value ranges from $54 to $100 for pieces grading up through MS64. Above that, the 1891 (no mint mark) Silver dollar become exceptionally rare, with uncirculated MS65 in pristine conditions selling for $12,000.
1891 “CC” Silver Dollar Value
- Type: Morgan Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: CC
- Place of Minting: Carson City
- Year of Minting: 1891
- Face Value: $1
- $ Price: $83 – $6,000
- Mintage: 1,618,900
- Designer: George T. Morgan
The 1891 silver dollars minted in Carson City Mint in Nevada feature a “CC” mint mark below the bald eagle on the coin’s reverse side.
Being a small-sized operation and producing fewer silver dollar coins than other mints, the 1891 “CC” mint marked silver coins as one of the rarest historical coins. For this reason, it fetches a higher value.
Besides that, the Carson City mint remained operational for a short time. As such, anything minted in the factory is a rare treasure.
The 1891 CC silver dollar in good condition goes for about $83. In fine condition, the value is around $117, while in extremely fine condition, it’s worth $165. If you are lucky to find an uncirculated coin with a grade of MS65, its value can sell anywhere from $222 to $3,600.
1891 “O” Silver Dollar Value
- Type: Morgan Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: O
- Place of Minting: New Orleans
- Year of Minting: 1891
- Face Value: $1
- $ Price: $26 – $9,000
- Mintage: 7,954, 526
- Designer: George T. Morgan
The New Orleans mint facility produced the second-highest circulation of the 1891 Silver Dollar. About 7, 954,526 Morgan silver dollars were minted in this facility, and all the coins carry the “O” mint mark on the reverse side.
However, the 1891 O silver dollar is considered the worst-struck of all Morgan silver dollars. Most specimens lack finer details and show weakness. Nevertheless, the U.S. mint in New Orleans still stands out as one of the U.S. historical landmarks.
The 1891 O silver dollar in good condition fetches around $26. In fine condition, the coin is around $38. If it’s in extremely fine condition, its value can reach $48. Uncirculated coins can raise between $54 and $9,000.
1891 “S” Silver Dollar Value
- Type: Morgan Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: S
- Place of Minting: San Francisco
- Year of Minting: 1891
- Face Value: $1
- $ Price: $28 – $2,000
- Mintage: 5,296,000
- Designer: George T. Morgan
A total of 5,296,000 Morgan silver dollars were minted in San Francisco, California in 1891. Unlike the 1891 “O” silver dollar, the 1891 “S” coins have a higher striking quality.
In good condition, an 1891 S silver dollar is worth $28. A coin in fine condition will attract about $40 and in extremely fine condition, the value can reach $48. As for uncirculated coins, the value ranges from $54 to $1,400 (for coins with a grade of MS65).
1891 Proof Silver Dollar Value
- Type: Morgan Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: No Mint Mark
- Place of Minting: Philadelphia
- Year of Minting: 1891
- Face Value: $1
- $ Price: $3,221
- Mintage: 650
- Designer: George T. Morgan
1891-proof silver dollar coins are extremely rare. The Philadelphia mint only produced 650 proof coins in 1891. The other mint factories did not produce any proof coins. However, some 1891 silver dollars might have proof-like look details with frosted devices or mirrored fields.
1891-proof silver dollar coins go for a whopping $3,221.
Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Morgan Dollars Worth Money
1891 Silver Dollar History
This section will help you learn about the history of the famous 1891 silver dollar.
The production of the 1891 silver dollar came at a time the U.S. was undergoing significant changes. The country was going through a great economic recession following the Coinage Act of 1873 or Crime of 1873.
The act removed the silver dollar from the list of authorized currencies and set the standard to gold. This act, coupled with the U.S. Civil War, led to the failure of businesses and increased unemployment rates.
In order to fight this, the U.S. government passed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1890. The act required the U.S. treasury to purchase 4.5 ounces of silver each month to increase its circulation and facilitate trade and commerce.
This move gave rise to the 1891 silver dollar coin. It was part of the “Morgan Dollar” series minted from 1878 to 1921.
But before the Morgan dollar, we had the Seated Liberty dollar, a silver dollar coin that ran from 1840 to 1873. Designed by Christian Gobrecht (Chief engraver), the coin depicted Lady Liberty seated, holding a flag in one hand and a shield in the other.
The reverse side featured a bald eagle with a shield on the chest and its talon clutching a cluster of arrows and a branch of an olive tree.
However, the 1891 silver coin took a different design approach. The designer, George T. Morgan, opted for a portrait of Lady Liberty. On the reverse side, he got rid of the shield on the eagle’s chest.
George was only 30 years when he worked on the 1891 silver dollar coin. After the project, he gained fame for his intricate and detailed designs.
Despite its historical significance, most people didn’t consider this coin as currency but as a store of value. Individuals who wanted to protect their wealth often hoarded these coins. Today, this coin is highly-sought out, and its rich history makes it an ideal choice for collectors.
Also Read: Top 19 Most Valuable Silver Eagles Worth Money
1891 Silver Dollar Grading
Coin grading allows collectors to determine a coin’s state, and it’s a crucial factor in determining its value. The 1891 silver dollar coin gets graded into circulated and uncirculated grades.
Circulated grades get divided further into good, fine, and extremely fine. Uncirculated coins have never been in circulation. However, no two uncirculated coins are alike. Uncirculated grades for 1891 silver coins range from Mint State 60 (MS60) to Auction Record (MS65+).
Here’s a video that can help you learn more about 1891 silver dollar grading:
List of 1891 Silver Dollar Error
Although the 1891 silver dollar is a properly produced coin, it’s not free from errors. Usually, these errors influence the coin’s value, making them valuable to collectors. Below is a list of common errors in 1891 silver dollar coins:
The most common errors in these coins include:
1. 1891 Silver Coin Double Die Error
A double die error is where two sides of the same coin are made twice, making it appear like two coins have been stuck together.
The error is quite noticeable in the finer details of the image on the coins. For example, the Lady Liberty on the 1891 silver dollar coin might have a doubled ear, upper lip, or hair. You can also observe this error in the coin’s lettering – where the words seem doubled.
Such coins usually fetch high prices even upwards of $200. However, if the coins are in pristine condition, they can be worth more.
2. 1891 Silver Coin with Spitting Eagle Error
In this error, the bald eagle on the reverse side of the 1891 silver dollar coin appears to be spitting. However, it’s a tiny die chip below the bird’s beak. Such a coin sold for $40,000 in an auction because it had a high-grade Mint state of 66.
3. 1891 Silver Coin Clashed E Reverse
Another error worth checking out is the clashed E Reverse. Here, the letter E in LIBERTY is visible under the eagle’s tail feathers (on the left).
Sometimes, the reverse features additional design elements that get transferred from the observer side of the coin. This happens when two dies clash without a planchet in the chamber. Besides the letter E, the L in LIBERTY might be visible under the right lighting conditions.
1891 Silver Dollar FAQ
How Rare is the 1891 CC Silver Dollar?
The 1891 CC silver dollar is a highly-sought out coin because of the Carson City mint mark. Compared to the other four variants of the 1891 silver dollar, the 1891 CC Silver Dollar has the lowest mintage number. Only 1,618,000 coins got minted. Furthermore, the coins are available in uncirculated grades.
How Much Is The 1891 Silver Dollar Worth Today?
An 1891 silver dollar in circulated condition will fetch anywhere from $30 to $54. However, a high-grade uncirculated coin can sell for as much as $2,400 to $12,000.
Where Was The 1891 Silver Dollar Minted?
The 1891 silver dollar was minted in several locations in the United States, including Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carson City, and San Francisco. You can identify the minting location of these coins by looking at the mint mark: no mint mark for Philadelphia, “O” for New Orleans, “CC” for Carson City, and “S” for San Francisco.
Bottom Line
Overall, the 1891 silver dollar is a rare and valuable coin that symbolizes American history and cultural diversity. It’s available in multiple varieties, each representing the minting location: Philadelphia, New Orleans, Carson City, and San Francisco.
Despite being a well-made coin, the 1891 silver dollar features a few errors, including the double die errors, spitting eagle, and clashed E reverse error. Nonetheless, these errors increase the value of the coins, making them more valuable to collectors.
If you are looking to expand your coin collection, the 1891 silver dollar makes a great option.
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I have a 1891 Morgan silver dollar ‘0’ that I want to sale and more old coins to sale