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Vintage GuideBy Coin Curator14 min readUpdated Report a correction

Morgan Dollar Key Dates& Varieties

The 1893-S, 1895 Proof-only, 1889-CC, and important VAM varieties show why date, mint, attribution, and condition must be researched together.

The series: Morgan Silver Dollars were minted from 1878 through 1904 and again in 1921 across several mints. Availability varies sharply by date, mint, variety, and grade.

The Six Key Dates

Date/MintMintageMarket researchWhy Key
1893-S100,000Verify exact-grade recordsLowest mintage business strike
1895 (Proof-only)880Verify proof recordsNo business strikes exist
1889-CC350,000Verify exact-grade recordsCarson City rarity
1893-CC677,000Verify exact-grade recordsLast CC business strike
1894-P110,000Verify exact-grade recordsLow Philadelphia mintage
1903-O4.45MVerify exact-grade recordsResearch the Treasury-release history

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)Eight-over-seven tail-feather attribution; verify the attribution and current records.
1888-O VAM-1B Hot LipsDoubled obverse die; compare attributed and non-attributed examples directly.
1900-O/CC VAM-7A CC mintmark appears beneath the O; verify the exact attribution and certification record.

Research Morgan Dollars

Use the catalog for date and mint context, then verify current grader and marketplace records directly.

Browse Morgans →

Storage & handling

Morgans are VAM country, a 10x loupe or USB microscope spots a Hot Lips or an 8-over-7 tail feathers. Store the dollars in 38mm Air-Tite capsules or Saflips, and a Dansco album displays the date run. See our collector gear guide →

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