United States Coin of the Week: Key Date, Brilliant Gem 1879-CC Morgan Dollar

Based on the lot description by James Matthews, Senior Numismatist and Consignment Director, U.S. Coins

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is proud to present selections from the William Porter Collection, Part II, in our official auction of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Expo this June in Baltimore, Maryland.  Highlighting the collection is an 1879-CC Morgan dollar graded Mint State 65 by NGC. The 1879-CC dollar is the second rarest of all Carson City issues of the Morgan design and an example in any grade always attracts a lot of attention when offered. The MS-65 level just adds excitement. In comparison to the hundreds of thousands of Morgan dollar enthusiasts, relatively few examples are available with this grade classification.

This beautiful 1879-CC dollar displays mint frost radiating across the fully brilliant surfaces and is well struck and free of the bag marks that are frequently seen on Mint State Morgan dollars from the Carson City Mint. If not for a few trivial nicks and faint luster grazes (located almost entirely on the obverse), it no doubt would have received a higher grade assessment. Here indeed is an important opportunity  and we expect bids to come from all directions!

Carson City Mint expert Rusty Goe estimates that between 17,000 and 19,000 of these 1879-CC Morgan dollars exist today, with perhaps one-third of those in Mint State -- mostly in rather baggy condition. Gems have proven to be rare, with the certification services recording precious few at this coveted level. Furthermore, due to its status as the second rarest CC Morgan dollar, demand has always been strong. In fact, way back in 1974 when the General Services Administration offered 3,633 of this date and mint, they sold out quickly and prices have steadily risen ever since.

View this coin and other selections from the William Porter Collection, Part II along with our entire June 2013 Baltimore auction on our website next week.  Call 800-458-4646 to schedule a private viewing of the entire sale in our California or New York offices.  We hope you plan to join us in person, in Baltimore the week of June 17 through 22 for another exciting auction event.