Discover Hidden Gems: 1890 Morgan Silver Dollar Expert Guide

Collectors have a few favourites. Certain coin series they’d pick over many others. Morgan dollars are one of the most wanted series the U.S. has.

How much is a 1890 silver dollar worth? This article will help you learn about this coin’s value, history, and rarity.

Today, you can use an app to check old coins value. It is much faster, and now you won't lose the best opportunity to trade.

History of the 1890 Dollar

One of America’s most iconic coin series is the Morgan dollar. This 1890 one-dollar coin came from the series a year after the 1889 dollar.

The Bland-Allison Act started it all in 1878. This act demands that the Treasury buy tonnes of silver and turn them into coins. The new silver series was named after its designer, George T. Morgan. The series spanned between 1878 and 1904, and was even revived for a year in 1921. 

The 1890 issue came during a time of economic instability. Silver production and mining started feeling strain, which would ultimately end the series.

Is Your 1890 Dollar Rare?

Not all Morgans are created equal. Various Mint facilities produced their slightly different version of these coins.

Let’s give every version a little look.

1890-P Morgan Dollar

• How to Identify: Go to the reverse side, under the ribbon. There should be a blank space.

• Mintage: ~16,802,000 bits.

• Value Range: $40 (circulated) – $450+ (MS65).

The Philadelphia mint made the most coins for the 1890 release. Most of them are in heavily circulated condition.

1890-O Morgan Dollar

• How to Identify: Go to the reverse side, under the ribbon. There should be a letter “O”.

• Mintage: ~10,701,000 bits.

• Value Range: $45 (circulated) – $1,200+ (MS65).

High-grade New Orleans Morgans are tough to find. Most were stuck very weakly, and therefore most eroded too much.

1890-S Morgan Dollar

• How to Identify: Go to the reverse side, under the ribbon. There should be a letter “S”.

• Mintage: ~8,230,000 bits.

• Value Range: $60 (circulated) – $700+ (MS65).

Collectors favor San Francisco issues for their clean details and consistent minting quality. Unlike New Orleans or Philadelphia varieties, these coins were not made for circulation.

"Most 1890-S Morgan dollars are well struck (with superb definition of the eagle's breast feathers) and have excellent lustre…"
— Q. David Bowers
Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., 1993

1890-CC Morgan Dollar

• How to Identify: Go to the reverse side, under the ribbon. There should be a letter “CC”.

• Mintage: ~2,309,041 bits.

• Value Range: $250 (VF) – $4,500+ (MS65).

Out of all mint marks for Morgan dollars, the 1890-CC is the scarcest. This low mintage number also makes it the rarest and, perhaps, the most desirable.

Key Features of the 1890 Dollar

First, the design.

• Lady Liberty is featured on the obverse. She has on a Phrygian cap. Liberty's face is surrounded by thirteen stars, which stand in for the original colonies. The words "E PLURIBUS UNUM" are inscribed around the upper rim. At the bottom is the year 1890.

• An eagle with its wings spread is depicted on the reverse. The eagle is holding an olive branch and arrows. The words "ONE DOLLAR," "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," and the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" are inscribed.

As for the other features:

The Easy Way to Know Your 1890 Dollar Value

It is easy to identify the value of 1890 silver dollar:

1. Identify the Mint Mark: Check the reverse side’s spot below the wreath. If you see letters “S” or “CC”, then your coin is automatically valuable.

2. Assess the Condition: Compare your coin to others, already been deemed high quality. If you see similarities, then your coin is probably a high quality, too. Morgan dollar grading depends mostly on how well the Liberty and Eagle’s details are preserved.

3. Consult Current Market Prices: Use the latest PCGS, NGC, or auction records for reference. Sites like eBay are also good.

Rare 1890 Dollar Error List

Certain minting errors make 1890 Morgans exceptionally valuable. Here are some of those errors you should look for:

1. 1890-O Double Die Reverse Error

• Double dies are a rare error that makes certain elements appear twice. Doubling in this case should be visible on the lettering and the eagle’s feathers.

• Value: $400–$1,200 depending on grade.

2. 1890-S Off-Center Strike Error

• The design was struck off-center, showing part of the blank planchet edge. This error by itself is not rare, but any error on San Franco coins is considered a rarity. These coins were struck with more care and in smaller quantities, so errors rarely happen.

• Value: $500–$2,000 depending on severity.

3. 1890-CC Clipped Planchet Error

• A portion of the coin’s edge is missing due to an incomplete blank cut.

• Value: $800–$2,500+.

4. Lamination Flaw Error

• The error is caused by impurities in the metal, resulting in peeling or flaking surfaces. Some parts might appear darker.

• Value: $200–$800 depending on size and visibility.

5. Die Crack Across Liberty Cap

• A raised line from die wear, often running through Liberty’s cap or face. Face cuds are worth more.

• Value: $150–$500+, depending on the size of cuds and their placement.

1890 Dollar Market Trend

Market trends have been kind to Morgan dollars. The 1890 edition is old and is made of silver. Precious metal, plus provenance, equals high value.

FAQ About the 1890 Dollar

Related Coin Value Guides

• 1921 Silver Dollar Coin Value
• 1923 Silver Dollar Coin Value
• 1922 Silver Dollar Coin Value
• 1896 Silver Dollar Coin Value
• 1963 Half Dollar Coin Value
• 1942 Half Dollars​ Coin Value