1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar in PCGS MS-67

1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar: A Frontier Rarity 

The 1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar stands at the beginning of one of America’s most collected coin series. More importantly, it represents the first Morgan dollar struck at the legendary Carson City Mint.

While more than 2.2 million pieces were produced, very few survive in elite condition today. In the highest Mint State grades, this issue becomes a true condition rarity.

And that is where the story becomes extraordinary.

Born from the Comstock Lode

The discovery of the Comstock Lode in Nevada changed American coinage forever. Massive silver deposits flooded the market. As a result, Congress passed the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, which required the federal government to purchase large quantities of silver and convert it into coinage.

The Carson City Mint stood near the mining operations. Therefore, it became the natural facility to transform Nevada silver into Morgan dollars. Coins struck there bore the now-famous “CC” mintmark.

Today, that small mintmark carries enormous weight with collectors.

A First-Year Issue with Production Delays

The 1878-CC marks the first year the Carson City Mint struck Morgan dollars. The total mintage reached 2,212,000 coins.

However, production did not begin immediately. Early in 1878, Mint officials modified the reverse design. George T. Morgan’s original eagle featured eight tail feathers. Soon after, officials revised the design to seven tail feathers. Because of this change, Carson City did not begin striking Morgan dollars until April 1878. The first 100 coins were struck on April 16.

Unlike later Carson City issues such as the 1883-CC and 1884-CC, the 1878-CC entered active circulation. Merchants, miners, railroad workers, and gamblers handled these coins daily. Consequently, most surviving examples show heavy wear, often grading from Good to Fine.

Treasury Releases and the GSA Sales

Although many 1878-CC dollars circulated widely, a portion of the mintage remained in Treasury vaults. Releases during the 1950s temporarily increased supply in the marketplace.

Nevertheless, those releases were modest when compared to later distributions of 1882-CC, 1883-CC, and 1884-CC dollars beginning in the 1960s.

The General Services Administration sales of the 1970s included only about 61,000 examples of the 1878-CC. Therefore, this issue remains far scarcer in Uncirculated grades than many later Carson City dollars.

That difference continues to shape market demand today.

Scarcity in High Grade

In circulated condition, the 1878-CC remains accessible to collectors. However, in higher Mint State grades, the coin becomes significantly more elusive.

Above MS-65, the issue proves challenging. In MS-65+ and MS-66, it qualifies as scarce by Morgan dollar standards. In MS-66+ and higher, it ranks as rare.

Examples at the MS-67 level represent elite survivors. These coins display strong luster, minimal surface marks, and outstanding eye appeal. Because most 1878-CC dollars saw real commercial use, few remained untouched.

As a result, high-grade examples command intense competition whenever they appear.

The “True” Carson City Morgan

Collectors often call the 1878-CC the “true” Carson City Morgan. It launched the series at a time when the American West still felt raw and untamed.

These coins circulated in mining camps, saloons, and gambling halls. They passed through frontier towns during a period of rapid industrial and economic expansion. Moreover, they reflect the transition from frontier silver extraction to a national, silver-backed monetary system.

Some examples reveal die characteristics associated with early Carson City production, including notable varieties such as the VAM-21 “Broken R and B.” Others exhibit reflective Prooflike surfaces.

However, beyond varieties and technical details, the 1878-CC carries historical gravity. It connects directly to the Comstock Lode and to a transformative moment in American economic history.

That connection gives the coin its lasting “wow” factor.

GreatCollections Auction Information

1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar PCGS MS-67
Auction Date: Sun, Mar 01, 2026 5:12:02 PM
GC Item ID: 2063866

This example represents an opportunity to acquire one of the finest surviving first-year Carson City Morgan dollars. Advanced collectors will evaluate strike quality, luster, preservation, and eye appeal carefully. In today’s quality-driven market, coins of this caliber often define the upper tier of the series.