The 1885 Morgan Dollar is worth anywhere from $35 in worn condition to over $30,000 for rare proof specimens. This iconic silver coin is a favorite among treasure hunters and family heirs who discover vintage collections tucked away in attics or safes.
| Condition | 1885 (No Mint Mark) | 1885-O (New Orleans) | 1885-S (San Francisco) | 1885-CC (Carson City) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good / Fine | $35 – $40 | $35 – $40 | $110 – $140 | $550 – $650 |
| About Uncirculated | $50 – $65 | $50 – $65 | $210 – $250 | $750 – $850 |
| Uncirculated (MS60+) | $75 – $150+ | $75 – $120+ | $450 – $1,500+ | $950 – $3,000+ |
Identifying the 1885 Morgan Silver Dollar
Finding an old silver dollar in a drawer is a thrilling moment for any American. The 1885 Morgan Dollar is part of a series that ran from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921. Named after its designer, George T. Morgan, the coin features Lady Liberty on the obverse and a majestic bald eagle on the reverse. If you aren’t sure what you have, using the best coin identifier app can help you confirm the date and mint mark in seconds.
Most 1885 dollars were struck in 90% silver and 10% copper. Because of their high silver content (roughly 0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver), these coins will always have a baseline “melt value.” However, for most collectors, the numismatic value—the value based on rarity and condition—is much higher than the metal price.
When you pick up your 1885 dollar, check the reverse side. Just above the letters “DO” in “ONE DOLLAR,” you might see a small letter. This is the mint mark, and it is the single most important factor in determining if your coin is a common workhorse or a thousand-dollar rarity. If you are ever in doubt, the CoinHix app provides instant identification to clear up any confusion.
The Value of the 1885 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar
The Philadelphia Mint produced nearly 18 million silver dollars in 1885. Because this was such a high mintage year, coins without a mint mark are considered common. You will likely find these in “pocket piece” condition, where the details of Liberty’s hair are worn smooth. In these lower grades, the coin is mostly valued for its silver content plus a small collector premium.
Professional collectors look for coins that never entered circulation. A coin in “Mint State” (MS) will still have its original frosty luster. You can check the latest 1885 Morgan Dollar Mint State prices to see how the value jumps significantly as the grade moves from MS63 to MS65. High-grade specimens are prized for their clean surfaces and lack of “bag marks”—scratches caused by coins knocking against each other in mint bags.
| Grade | Price Range (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| VG8 (Very Good) | $35 |
| XF40 (Extremely Fine) | $48 |
| MS63 (Choice Uncirculated) | $85 |
| MS65 (Gem Uncirculated) | $250 |
The 1885-O New Orleans Morgan Dollar Value
The New Orleans Mint, signified by the “O” mint mark, struck over 9 million coins in 1885. Historically, these coins were stored in government vaults for decades, leading to a massive supply of uncirculated 1885-O dollars hitting the market in the mid-20th century. This makes the 1885-O one of the most affordable ways for a new collector to own a high-quality, 19th-century silver coin.
While common in average grades, the 1885-O can still fetch a pretty penny if it has exceptional eye appeal. Some of these coins feature “toning”—a natural oxidation process that creates rainbow-like colors on the silver surface. Toned Morgans are highly sought after and can sell for double or triple the standard price. To understand the nuances of these premiums, you can review the 1885 silver dollar value analysis for New Orleans strikes.
Using a tool like CoinHix can help you determine if your “O” mint dollar is a standard specimen or a high-grade gem. For most “everyday” finds, expect the New Orleans dollar to trade very closely to the Philadelphia version, usually between $35 and $60 for circulated examples.
Rare 1885-S Morgan Dollar Worth and Rarity
When you flip your coin over and see an “S” mint mark, the value proposition changes. The San Francisco Mint produced only 1,497,000 Morgan Dollars in 1885. This is a significantly lower mintage than the Philadelphia or New Orleans versions. Consequently, the 1885-S is considered a “semi-key date” in the series.
Even in heavily worn condition, an 1885-S is usually worth at least $100. As the condition improves, the price climbs steeply. This is because many San Francisco Morgans were actually used in commerce in the American West, meaning they suffered a lot of wear and tear. Finding one that escaped the rough life of the frontier in uncirculated condition is rare and expensive.
| Grade | 1885-S Value |
|---|---|
| Good 4 | $115 |
| VF20 (Very Fine) | $155 |
| AU50 (About Uncirculated) | $325 |
| MS63 (Uncirculated) | $1,100 |
The 1885-CC Carson City: The Holy Grail
The Carson City Mint is legendary among coin collectors. Located near the Comstock Lode silver mines in Nevada, this mint produced coins with the famous “CC” mint mark. In 1885, the Carson City Mint struck only 228,000 silver dollars—the lowest mintage of any Morgan dollar from that specific mint.
Because of this extremely low mintage, the 1885-CC is a major trophy coin. Thousands of these were found in the General Services Administration (GSA) hoards in the 1960s and 70s, which were auctioned off to the public. If your 1885-CC is still in its original black GSA plastic holder, it may carry an extra premium. For anyone lucky enough to own one, CoinHix is an essential tool to track market fluctuations for such a high-value asset.
Prices for the 1885-CC start at around $550 for coins that are quite worn and can easily exceed $3,000 for high-end uncirculated examples. If you find a “CC” dollar in a collection, treat it with great care; never clean it, as cleaning a rare coin can strip away over 50% of its market value instantly.
How to Grade Your 1885 Morgan Dollar
If you want to know which price column your coin fits into, you need to understand grading. Grading is the process of evaluating how much wear a coin has sustained. While professional services like PCGS or NGC provide “official” grades, you can do a rough estimate at home.
First, look at Liberty’s hair above her ear. This is the highest point of the coin and the first place to show wear. If the lines are crisp and clear, your coin is likely in “Extremely Fine” or “About Uncirculated” condition. If the hair looks like a flat clump, it is in “Good” or “Fine” condition.
Second, check the “luster.” Luster is the reflective shine that occurs during the minting process. A coin with full luster that looks like it was made yesterday is “Uncirculated.” Be careful not to confuse luster with “shiny” coins that have been polished with chemicals. A polished coin will look like a mirror, whereas a mint coin has a soft, spinning “cartwheel” effect when tilted under a light.
FAQs
Q: Where is the mint mark on an 1885 Morgan Dollar?
A: The mint mark is found on the reverse (tails) side of the coin. Look at the bottom, just above the “D” and “O” in the word “DOLLAR.” You will see an “O” for New Orleans, an “S” for San Francisco, or “CC” for Carson City. If there is no letter, it was minted in Philadelphia.
Q: Is my 1885 silver dollar made of real silver?
A: Yes, all authentic 1885 Morgan Dollars are made of 90% silver and 10% copper. They contain approximately 0.77344 ounces of pure silver. Even if the coin is too damaged for a collector, it will always be worth its weight in silver.
Q: Should I clean my 1885 Morgan Dollar to make it look better?
A: No! Never clean your coins. Collectors prefer the “patina” or natural aging of the silver. Scrubbing a coin with polish or even soap and water creates microscopic scratches that graders can detect. A cleaned coin is often worth significantly less than an uncleaned one.
Q: What is the most expensive 1885 Morgan Dollar ever sold?
A: An 1885-CC Morgan Dollar graded MS68 by PCGS sold for over $100,000 in a public auction. For common 1885 Philadelphia or New Orleans strikes, the record prices for perfect MS67 or MS68 grades also reach into the tens of thousands of dollars.
