Are you a passionate coin collector looking to buy an 1893 silver dollar and are interested in its value? Or perhaps you’re the owner of one and looking to sell it for a fair price? Either way, this article can help you out!
Here we’ll give you a detailed description of the 1893 silver dollar coin, including the value of all its varieties. We’ll also delve deeper into the details of this coin, explores its history, and provide tips for spotting valuable errors when buying or selling an 1893 silver dollar. Read on to find out more!
1893 Silver Dollar Coin Details
- Type: Morgan Dollar
- Quantity Produced: 1,455,000
- Designer: George T. Morgan
- Edge: Reeded
- Shape: Round
- Coin Diameter: 1.5 inches (38.1 mm)
- Coin Thickness: 0.09449 inches (2.4 mm)
- Coin Weight: 0.85939 troy ounces (26.73 g)
- Year of Minting: 1893
- Mint Mark: None/S/O/CC
- Place of Minting: Carson City (677,000), Philadelphia (378,000), New Orleans (300,000), and San Francisco (100,000)
- Face Value: $1
- $ price: $146 to $90,000
Both the obverse and reverse faces of the 1893 silver dollar were designed by George T. Morgan. The composition of the coin is 90% silver and 10% copper. The highest mintage of the 1893 Morgan dollar was printed in Carson City, Nevada, where the number of copies went up to 677,000.
The Philadelphia issues have the second-highest mintage, with 378,000 copies printed. The first ones had a “CC” mark just above the dollar word in their reverse, while the latter didn’t have a mint mark. Due to the high mintage, the Carson City issues have no real value today.
The estimated value of the Philadelphia issues ranges from $146 to $675, depending on the condition. The value of this coin has fallen in the last couple of decades.
In addition, these values apply for Philadelphia-printed 1893 Morgan coins in circulated condition, which most dollars from these series are. Philadelphia issues of the 1893 silver dollar in pristine (uncirculated condition) can be worth up to $37,500 on the open market.
New Orleans had the second-lowest mintage of the 1893 Morgan dollar, with only 300,000 copies produced. These have the letter O as a mint mark on their reverse. However, the San Francisco varieties are even rarer, as they were minted in only 100,00 copies.
They’re considered a rare find, with a price of up to $90,000 on the official guide and up to $125,000 on the open market. The price is also determined by the condition, or in other words, whether they’re circulated or uncirculated.
Many copies of the 1893 Morgan dollar were melted down over the years. The estimated survival rate for all grades of the regular (Philadelphia mint) coins is around 40,000 copies. For grades 60 and up, this number is 20,000, while for grades 65 and above, the number of copies is estimated at only 750.
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1893 Morgan Silver Dollar Value Chart
| Coin | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1893 Morgan Silver Dollar | $156 | $165 | $352 | $1,211 |
| 1893 S Morgan Silver Dollar | $1,969 | $3,637 | $9,206 | $90,000+ |
| 1893 CC Morgan Silver Dollar | $245 | $428 | $1,651 | $4,455 |
| 1893 O Morgan Silver Dollar | $146 | $251 | $529 | $3,843 |
1893 Silver Dollar Value and Varieties Guides
Let’s take a look at the different varieties of the 1893 Silver Dollar.
1893 Morgan Silver Dollar
- Type: Morgan Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: None
- Place of Minting: Philadelphia
- Year of Minting: 1893
- Face Value: $1
- $ Price: $146 to $1,211
- Quantity Produced: 378,000
- Designer: George T. Morgan
With its 378,000 copies, The Philadelphia mint is responsible for the second-highest mintage of the 1893 Morgan silver dollars. This makes the regular strikes (as the Philadelphia mint is called) scarce in any grade.
These coins have no mint mark on their reverse. In circulated conditions with visible wear marks, you’ll probably pay around $165 to $1,125 for them. 1893 Morgan silver dollars in mint grade, on the other hand, are valued at $50,000 to $62,500. The highest-ever valued 1893 silver dollar was sold for $44,650 in 2015. It had an MS66 grading.
The 1893 PR 68 CAM coin’s estimated value is even higher. These coins can cost up to $40,250. Meanwhile, the value of the 1893 PR 65 DCAM coin in the best grade (PR 68) can go upwards to $20,000. The highest bid for the 1893 PR 67+ Morgan dollar in a 2015 auction was $70,500. The Philadelphia mint also produced 792 proof coins in the 1893 silver dollar series.
Due to their scarcity, these are valued somewhat higher than the regular strike 1893 Morgan coins. A PR 50 grade 1893 Morgan proof coin is worth a little over $1,000, while a PR 68 grade 1893 CAM Morgan proof is valued from $35,000 to $40,250.
1893 S Morgan Silver Dollar
- Type: Morgan Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: ‘S’
- Place of Minting: San Francisco
- Year of Minting: 1893
- Face Value: $1
- $ Price: $1,969 to $90,000+
- Quantity Produced: 100,000
- Designer: George T. Morgan
The lowest 1893 Morgan silver dollar mintage originates from San Francisco. With only 100,000 copies, even the lowest rating you’ll find will be extremely high priced.
Even with the staggering price that ranges from $2,100 to $84,000, it’s one of the most in-demand pieces on today’s coin market. You’ll recognize this min by the “S” mint mark on its reverse, just above the letters D and O in the DOLLAR inscription.
1893 CC Morgan Silver Dollar
- Type: Morgan Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: ‘CC’
- Place of Minting: Carson City
- Year of Minting: 1893
- Face Value: $1
- $ Price: $245 to $4,455
- Quantity Produced: 677,000
- Designer: George T. Morgan
The highest mintage of 677,000 1893 Morgan dollars was produced in Carson City. Since you’ll be more likely to come across these than their S counterparts, you will likely pay a little less for them. You could still expect to pay around $275 to $4,400 for a coin with a low rating.
On the other hand, 1893 Morgan silver coins in the MS 66 grade can be valued anywhere from $145,000 to $185,000. The highest bid for an 1893 CC MS 66 Morgan silver dollar in a 2013 auction was $161,000. You’ll recognize this mint by the “CC” mint mark on its reverse, just above the letters D and O in the DOLLAR inscription.
1893 O Morgan Silver Dollar
- Type: Morgan Dollar
- Edge: Reeded
- Mint Mark: ‘O’
- Place of Minting: New Orleans
- Year of Minting: 1893
- Face Value: $1
- $ Price: $146 to $3,843
- Quantity Produced: 300,000
- Designer: George T. Morgan
The last variation of the 1893 Morgan silver dollar was produced in New Orleans, with 300,000 1893 Morgan dollars being struck. For this variant, you’ll likely pay anywhere from $200 to $3,000 for a coin in a circulated condition.
For an 1893 O in the mint state, you can expect to pay at least $264,000. The highest bidder for an 1893 O MS 66 Morgan silver dollar in a 2015 action paid an astonishing $458,250 for this coin. You’ll recognize this min by the “O” mint mark on its reverse, just above the letters D and O in the DOLLAR inscription.
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1893 Silver Dollar History
The 1893 silver dollar was part of the Morgan Mint struck series produced from 1878 to 1904. The series was designed by George T. Morgan, sporting the all too familiar symbol of Lady Liberty, which is why they’re also called Liberty Head dollars. The 1893 mint was printed in several locations, with one of the most famous mints being Carson City.
The reason 1893 silver dollars minted in Carson City became popular is that they were the last issues produced in this minting facility. This gave the 1893 CC coins a unique quality and the status of a rare find in modern times.
There were only 677,000 silver dollars struck in 1893 in Carson City, along with a few proof coins. Both the coins and the proofs are in high demand among passionate Morgan Dollar collectors.
However, since this coin can be found in all grades, its value ranges depending on its condition. While state 1893 CC coins are relatively highly-priced, those in good condition are worth far less. However, because these coins have been circulated for over a century, they can still be a great addition to your set if you appreciate authentic historical pieces that mark a significant period.
Besides Carson City, silver dollars were also minted in Philadelphia and New Orleans, and San Francisco in 1893. The first two aren’t particularly scarce and are overshadowed by the CC coins, especially if the latter is in mint state. The San Francisco mint (commonly known as the 1893 S) is just as famous as its Carson City counterpart.
The 1893-S is revered as the key to the Morgan Dollar set and has become one of the most sought-after vintage coins in history. It was minted in only 100,000 copies, which is exceptionally low for the Morgan Dollar series. It’s in extremely high demand in many collector series, and collectors are ready to pay exorbitant amounts for it, even in not mint condition.
The reason for this lies in the 1893 Morgan Dollars’ rarity. In 1893, the US bank system crashed. While the mintage of all the 1893 dollars was affected by this, those with the S mint mark were the last to be produced.
Not only were there fewer coins produced, but after 1918, some coins and the material intended for them were melted. Due to the lack of resources, the production of the 1893 S Morgan Dollar halted very quickly.
Even now, over a century after the first 1893 Morgan Dollar was minted, most expert collectors still consider it, and the entire Morgan series the most renowned ones in American coinage history. It was, after all, the first silver coin the US mint created. Not to mention that its design has become a true historical landmark.
While their value can be easily determined based on their mint mark and condition, owning them is another story. Some of them are quite rare, and you’ll have to pay incredibly high sums for them – which is why often only passionate collectors with unlimited funds can afford to own them.
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1893 Silver Dollar Grading
The grading of the 1893 silver dollar has a great impact on its worth. Coin grading goes from uncirculated to extremely fine to very fine to good. Uncirculated 1893 Morgan Dollars were never used for commercial purposes, which means they’ll have no traces of wear. They have maintained their original texture and luster, and the eagle feathers on the reverse are undamaged.
Extra fine varieties are in pristine condition, and you can only see slight imperfections on their surface. The luster is gone, and Liberty’s face is a little flatter. Fine coins have been in circulation a lot, and Liberty’s face shows signs of wear. Good coins have a smooth surface, with scratches, bends, and the highest image points are barely outlined.
List of 1893 Silver Dollar Errors
There were several errors found in the 1893 coins. Let’s check out what they are and how they affect the value.
1. 1893 PL / 1893 PL CC / 1893 PL O
Some 1893 Morgan coins have a shiny mirror-like surface, which resembles the original proof coins. These are much appreciated by collectors and valued from $27,500 to $121,000, depending on their condition and mint mark.
For example, an AU 50 graded 1893 PL S is worth a little over 27,000, while the same coin with the MS 62 is valued at $306,000. An 1893 PL CC with an MS 65 grade is worth a staggering $95,000 to $121,000, while an 1893 PL O with MS 63 is valued at $8.800 to $10,120.
2. 1893 DMPL / 1893 CC / 1893 O
Other 1893 Morgan Dollars have a deeper mirror-like surface, which also looks like the proof coin, except it’s more reflective. This one is an even more desirable and rare find, with a value ranging between $15,000 and $360,000, depending on condition and mint.
For instance, an MS 61-graded 1893 DMPL will only be worth $15,000, while an MS 63-graded 1893 DMPL CC is valued at around $24,000 to $28,000. The most expensive ones are the MS 65 graded 1893 DMPL O coins. These can be worth anywhere from $250,000 to $360,000.
3. 1893 S Details Outlined
Due to the rarity of the S mint, collectors in the past have sometimes used a sharp tool to outline the details of this coin. This was to ensure they could showcase it in their collection. However, depending on how the job was done, this could either lower or raise the value of the coin.
For example, an 1893 S with a VG grading and outlined details will be worth only about $500. Meanwhile, the same coin with the MS 65 grading will be worth much more due to the lack of wear signs.
1893 Silver Dollar FAQs
1. How much does an 1893 silver dollar worth?
The current value of the 1893 silver dollar (also known as the Morgan Dollar from 1893) is estimated to be between $110 and $90,000. As with any other collectibles, the worth of this dollar depends on the particular item’s condition and whether it’s a rare variety.
2. How do I know that my 1893 silver dollar is real?
There are several ways to determine the authenticity of a silver dollar. Some of the most popular ones include the magnet test (silver coins aren’t magnetic), weighing (this coin weighs about 0.94 ounces), doing the bubbles or silver test with chemicals, and so on.
3. How rare is the 1893 silver dollar?
Some varieties of the 1893 silver dollar are more scarce than others. For example, the 1893 S Morgan dollar was printed in only 100,000 copies, which makes it one of the lowest printed issues in the history of Morgan coins. Today it’s considered a rare find, which makes it far more valuable than any other dollar in this series.
4. Are silver coins a good investment?
Silver dollars can be a fantastic investment for passionate collectors and those looking to invest for the long term. While some silver coins are fairly high priced nowadays, due to their scarcity, their price is estimated to go even higher in the future decades.