The 1879-O Morgan Silver Dollar is worth anywhere from $35 in worn condition to over $25,000 for rare, high-grade specimens. Finding one of these heavy silver coins in an old attic or jewelry box is an exciting discovery, as it represents a piece of American frontier history from the New Orleans Mint.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Good to Very Good (Circulated) | $35 – $45 |
| Fine to Very Fine | $48 – $55 |
| Extremely Fine (XF 40) | $60 – $75 |
| Uncirculated (MS 60-63) | $150 – $650 |
| Gem Quality (MS 65+) | $3,500 – $25,000+ |
Understanding the 1879-O Morgan Silver Dollar History
The 1879-O Morgan Dollar marks the second year of the famous Morgan series, designed by George T. Morgan. What makes this specific coin special to everyday Americans is its “O” mint mark, signaling it was produced at the historic New Orleans Mint. This facility had just reopened for silver dollar production after being shuttered following the Civil War.
If you are trying to determine if your coin is real, using the best coin identifier app can save you hours of research time. The New Orleans Mint was known for having slightly lower quality control compared to the main mint in Philadelphia. This means many 1879-O coins survived with weak strikes or “flat” details, making sharp, well-defined examples significantly more valuable to collectors today.
When you look at your coin, you are holding 90% pure silver. This intrinsic metal value provides a “floor” for the price, ensuring that even a heavily damaged coin is still worth its weight in silver. However, the numismatic (collector) value of the 1879-O usually far exceeds the silver melt value. For an accurate assessment, many hobbyists use CoinHix to compare their coin’s appearance to high-resolution professional images.
How to Identify the Mint Mark and Coin Condition
To find out if your 1879 dollar is from New Orleans, flip it to the reverse side (the side with the eagle). Look just above the letters “D” and “O” in the word “DOLLAR.” You should see a small “O.” If there is no letter there, the coin was minted in Philadelphia. If there is an “S,” it’s from San Francisco, and a “CC” indicates the rare Carson City mint.
The condition, or “grade,” is the most critical factor in determining the price. While most coins found in jars are “Circulated,” meaning they were used in daily commerce, some lucky finders come across “Uncirculated” coins. These lack any wear on the high points of Lady Liberty’s hair or the eagle’s breast feathers.
| Grade Detail | Visual Indicators |
|---|---|
| Fine (F12) | Wheat stalks behind Liberty are worn smooth; hair lines are visible but blurry. |
| Extremely Fine (XF45) | Hair above the ear shows slight wear; eagle’s wing tips are mostly sharp. |
| Mint State (MS63) | Full original frosty luster; some bag marks (scratches) but no wear from circulation. |
Breakdown of 1879-O Morgan Dollar Prices
The market for 1879-O dollars is quite active. Because over 2.8 million were minted, they are not necessarily “rare” in low grades, but they are highly sought after in “Mint State” condition. Most common finds will fall into the $35 to $60 range. These are the typical coins that have been handled by hands, sat in pockets, and spent years in change drawers.
If your coin looks brand new and shiny, the 1879-O Morgan Dollar MS grade value can jump into the thousands. This is particularly true for coins graded MS65 or higher. In these top-tier conditions, the strike quality of the New Orleans Mint becomes a major talking point. Collectors pay a massive premium for a “sharp” strike because so many “O” mint coins were struck with worn-out dies.
To get the most accurate market data, you can check the latest 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar price trends. Prices fluctuate based on the current price of silver and the demand from serious collectors trying to complete their “date and mint mark” sets. Tools like CoinHix offer a convenient way to track these market shifts from your smartphone.
| Mint Master Grade | Typical Sale Price |
|---|---|
| MS60 | $155 |
| MS62 | $210 |
| MS64 | $850 |
| MS65 | $3,850 |
| MS66 | $22,500+ |
The Impact of the “Weekly Strike” on New Orleans Value
One unique quirk about the 1879-O Morgan Silver Dollar is the prevalence of “weak strikes.” During this era, the New Orleans Mint often set their coin presses further apart to preserve the life of the steel dies. While this saved the mint money on equipment, it resulted in coins that lack detail in the center of the design.
For a collector, a “weakly struck” coin looks like it is worn, even if it has never been spent. You might see Liberty’s hair looking flat or the eagle’s breast feathers looking like a smooth blob. If you happen to find an 1879-O that has incredibly sharp hair lines and distinct eagle feathers, you may have a “Strong Strike” specimen.
Strongly struck examples of the 1879-O are much rarer than the standard variety. Proving your coin is a strong strike requires a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC, but you can do a preliminary check using CoinHix. By uploading a photo, you can see if your coin matches the high-detail characteristics of the most expensive sales on record.
Key Varieties: The 1879-O “Large O” vs “Small O”
While not as famous as some other coin errors, eagle-eyed collectors look for subtle variations in the mint mark. Most 1879-O dollars feature a standard mint mark, but variations in die preparation can lead to different placements and sizes. While these don’t always skyrocket the price for casual collectors, they can add a 10-20% premium for specialized variety hunters.
Another thing to look for is “doubled dies” or “clashed dies.” A clashed die occurs when the two heavy steel dies strike each other without a silver blank in between. This leaves a ghost-like impression of the reverse side on the front of the coin, or vice versa. In the 1879-O series, look for faint lines from the eagle’s wings appearing near Lady Liberty’s neck.
These minor errors are fascinating pieces of history. If you suspect your coin has a “VAM” variety (the term for Morgan Dollar die varieties), it is worth getting it checked by an expert. Even if it’s not a rare error, the historical context of the post-Reconstruction South makes every New Orleans silver dollar a treasure worth preserving.
How to Sell Your 1879-O Morgan Silver Dollar
If you have decided that you want to turn your silver coin into cash, you have several options. For a standard circulated coin worth $35-$50, a local coin shop is often the easiest route. They will typically pay you slightly below the retail price so they can make a small profit when they resell it.
If your coin appears to be in “Mint State” (meaning it’s exceptionally shiny with no wear), do NOT clean it. Cleaned coins lose up to 50% of their collector value instantly. Instead, take clear photos and consider an online auction or a reputable dealer who specializes in silver dollars.
For high-value coins worth over $500, professional authentication is highly recommended. Sending the coin to a grading service will verify its condition and protect it in a sonically sealed plastic “slab.” This certification makes the coin much easier to sell at a fair market price, as buyers will trust the grade assigned by a third-party expert.
FAQ
Q: Is the 1879-O Morgan Dollar made of real silver?
A: Yes, all Morgan Silver Dollars minted between 1878 and 1921 consist of 90% silver and 10% copper. Each coin contains approximately 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver, meaning its value will always at least be equal to the current market price of silver.
Q: Where is the mint mark on an 1879-O Morgan Dollar?
A: The “O” mint mark is located on the reverse (back) of the coin. Look at the bottom, just above the “D” and “O” in “DOLLAR,” and below the center of the wreath that surrounds the eagle.
Q: Should I clean my 1879-O Silver Dollar to make it worth more?
A: No! Never clean a collectible coin. Cleaning creates microscopic scratches on the surface that experts can easily detect. A cleaned coin is almost always worth significantly less than an uncleaned coin with original “patina” or toning.
Q: Why is my 1879 dollar missing a mint mark?
A: If there is no mint mark, your coin was produced at the Philadelphia Mint. Philadelphia was the main mint and generally did not use mint marks in 1879. These coins are also very common and have a similar value to the “O” mint mark coins in lower grades.
