Vintage Guide14 min read

Morgan Dollar Key Dates & Varieties

Six key dates separate Morgans worth $30 from Morgans worth $150,000+. The 1893-S, 1895 Proof-only, 1889-CC, and the VAM varieties most collectors miss.

The Series: Morgan Silver Dollars were minted 1878-1904 and again in 1921. 656 million minted across 5 mints. 95% are common. The other 5% are where the money is.

The Six Key Dates

Date/Mint	Mintage	PCGS MS-65	Why Key
1893-S	100,000	$425,000	Lowest mintage business strike
1895 (Proof-only)	880	$185,000 (PR-65)	No business strikes exist
1889-CC	350,000	$525,000	Carson City rarity
1893-CC	677,000	$28,000	Last CC business strike
1894-P	110,000	$48,000	Low Philadelphia mintage
1903-O	4.45M	$3,200	Most uncirculated stock destroyed in 1918 melt

VAM Varieties Worth Knowing

VAM = Van Allen-Mallis attributions. Die varieties that turn common dates into premium coins.

1878 7/8 TF VAM-44 (Tail Feathers)8 over 7 tail feathers — common date becomes $400+ in MS-63

1888-O VAM-1B Hot LipsDoubled obverse die — $1,200+ in MS-63 vs $80 for normal

1900-O/CC VAM-7CC mintmark under O — wartime overstrike, $850+ vs $85 normal

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