A beneficial piece of American numismatic historical past, this explicit coin represents a big interval of silver coinage manufacturing. It’s a United States greenback coin minted in 1879 that includes an outline of Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. Its creation was approved by the Bland-Allison Act of 1878.
The attract of this coin lies in its historic significance, silver content material, and collectibility. The cash from this period provide a tangible connection to the late nineteenth century and the financial insurance policies of that point. Their silver composition contributes to their intrinsic worth, whereas their comparatively excessive mintages, significantly from sure mints, make them accessible to a variety of collectors.
The traits of those cash, together with mint marks, situation, and variations, are of paramount significance to each collectors and buyers. Subsequent sections will delve into grading requirements, key dates and mint marks, and the components that affect their worth in at the moment’s market.
1. Mint Mark Location
The mint mark on an 1879 silver greenback signifies the precise United States Mint facility the place the coin was struck. The presence and placement of this mark are crucial components in figuring out the coin’s rarity and, consequently, its worth. An 1879 greenback minted in Philadelphia carries no mint mark; nonetheless, these struck in Carson Metropolis (“CC”) or New Orleans (“O”) are clearly marked. These marks are discovered on the reverse of the coin, under the wreath.
The Carson Metropolis Mint produced a restricted amount of those {dollars}, making the “CC” marked examples considerably extra beneficial than these from Philadelphia or New Orleans. As an illustration, an 1879-CC in uncirculated situation instructions a considerably greater worth on account of its shortage. The situation is all the time the identical, however the presence or absence, and the precise mark itself, have a direct influence on desirability.
Understanding the mint mark location and figuring out its presence or absence is significant for collectors and buyers assessing the worth of an 1879 silver greenback. This understanding prevents misidentification and ensures correct valuation. For instance, a coin with no mint mark isn’t essentially extra beneficial than one with an “O” mint mark; the “CC” is the premium one. Misinterpretation results in incorrect pricing. Precisely figuring out the mint mark and connecting it to mintage figures is due to this fact a elementary step in numismatic analysis.
2. Silver Composition
The intrinsic worth and historic significance of an 1879 silver greenback are inextricably linked to its silver composition. By legislation, these cash include 90% silver and 10% copper. This composition, established by the Bland-Allison Act, instantly influenced the coin’s preliminary acceptance and subsequent function within the American financial system. The market worth is inherently tied to the fluctuating worth of silver, impacting its price as a treasured metallic past its numismatic enchantment.
The assured silver content material facilitated the coin’s use in worldwide commerce and offered a steady retailer of worth throughout a interval of financial uncertainty. For instance, throughout the late nineteenth century, people might depend on the intrinsic worth of the silver to take care of buying energy. Moreover, the silver content material contributes to the coin’s sturdiness, permitting many examples to outlive in comparatively good situation regardless of in depth circulation. Its composition protects the coin from pure injury.
Understanding the silver composition of an 1879 silver greenback is crucial for correct valuation and historic context. Whereas numismatic worth will depend on components past metallic content material (rarity, situation), the inherent price of the silver offers a baseline for its market worth. Adjustments in silver costs instantly have an effect on the coin’s worth, underscoring the significance of this compositional understanding. This information protects buyers from overpaying primarily based solely on collector enchantment with out acknowledging the underlying metallic worth.
3. Strike High quality
The strike high quality of an 1879 silver greenback refers back to the sharpness and completeness of the coin’s design particulars. It’s a crucial consider figuring out the coin’s grade and worth. A well-struck coin displays crisp options and full particulars, whereas a poorly struck coin might present weak spot or absence of design parts. Analysis of strike high quality requires cautious examination below magnification.
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Full Element on Hair and Material
A robust strike will totally render the tremendous particulars of Liberty’s hair and material. Weak point in these areas, significantly on the upper factors of the design, signifies a less-than-ideal strike. For instance, a coin with a totally outlined hair bun will command a premium over one the place the main points are tender or lacking. It’s because full particulars is an instantaneous indicator of a superior strike and preservation.
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Eagle’s Breast Feathers and Talons
On the reverse, the sharpness of the eagle’s breast feathers and talons is a key indicator of strike high quality. A completely struck coin will present distinct feather element and well-defined talons gripping the arrows and olive department. Softness in these options suggests a weaker strike. Poor particulars considerably diminish the visible enchantment and collector worth.
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Lettering and Denticles
Sharp, clear lettering and well-defined denticles (the small tooth-like projections across the coin’s rim) are hallmarks of a well-struck greenback. Weak or incomplete lettering and denticles recommend a tender strike or worn dies. A coin exhibiting these traits is taken into account much less fascinating, even when different features of its situation are acceptable. Sharpness is a elementary aspect of an interesting coin.
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Luster and Cartwheel Impact
The unique luster, typically known as the “cartwheel impact” as a result of swirling mild reflection when the coin is rotated, can also be linked to strike high quality. A robust strike helps protect the coin’s authentic luster, enhancing its visible enchantment. Weakly struck cash usually lack this impact, showing uninteresting or washed out. Sustaining the luster is very fascinating to collectors.
Assessing strike high quality is a necessary ability for collectors and buyers enthusiastic about 1879 silver {dollars}. Understanding the weather that contribute to a powerful or weak strike permits for extra correct grading and valuation. Strike high quality, when thought of alongside different components like mint mark and preservation, dictates the final word price. It offers a tangible measure of minting precision and subsequent preservation.
4. VAM Varieties
VAM varieties, an acronym for Van Allen-Mallis varieties, denote distinct die variations discovered inside particular years and mint marks of Morgan silver {dollars}, together with the 1879 challenge. These variations come up from delicate variations within the dies used to strike the cash, equivalent to repunched mint marks, doubled dies, or different minor errors. The identification and cataloging of VAM varieties symbolize a specialised space of numismatics, including one other layer of complexity and collectibility to the 1879 silver greenback collection. As an illustration, an 1879-S greenback with a repunched mint mark could also be designated as a selected VAM selection (e.g., VAM-4), differentiating it from a regular 1879-S challenge and rising its potential worth to specialised collectors. The existence of VAM varieties creates a requirement for detailed numismatic data and cautious examination of particular person cash.
The significance of VAM varieties lies of their capability to remodel a standard date and mint mark right into a considerably extra beneficial and sought-after coin. Collectors specializing in VAMs meticulously seek for these minute die variations, usually utilizing excessive magnification and specialised reference supplies. This intense scrutiny and the potential for locating a uncommon or beforehand undocumented selection, equivalent to an 1879-O with a novel die crack sample (hypothetical instance), drives curiosity on this space of numismatics. Moreover, the research of VAMs offers beneficial insights into the minting processes and die-making methods used throughout the late nineteenth century. They reveal particulars of how the coin was crafted.
Understanding VAM varieties within the context of 1879 silver {dollars} requires persistence and a willingness to speculate time in analysis and examination. Whereas the vast majority of 1879 {dollars} encountered won’t be important VAM varieties, the potential for discovering a uncommon instance stays a compelling draw for a lot of collectors. The problem lies in precisely figuring out and attributing the VAM, which necessitates a powerful understanding of die traits and using acknowledged VAM catalogs. This pursuit connects the broader appreciation of the 1879 silver greenback to the meticulous research of delicate die variations, enhancing each the historic and financial worth for the specialised collector.
5. Authentic Luster
Authentic luster, within the context of an 1879 silver greenback, refers back to the mint-fresh floor sheen imparted throughout the putting course of. This luster is a results of the microscopic move strains created because the dies impress the design onto the silver clean. Its presence is a major indicator of a coin’s uncirculated situation and considerably influences its numismatic worth. A coin with intact authentic luster will exhibit a vibrant, swirling “cartwheel” impact when rotated below mild. This visible attribute is a direct consequence of the minting course of and subsequent lack of damage.
The preservation of authentic luster instantly correlates with the coin’s dealing with and storage historical past. Environmental components, improper storage, and cleansing can all diminish or obliterate this delicate floor characteristic. For instance, an 1879-CC silver greenback saved in a damp setting might develop firming or discoloration, obscuring the unique luster and decreasing its grade. Equally, trying to wash a coin to take away firming will invariably injury the floor, completely destroying the unique luster and considerably devaluing the coin. Conversely, a coin rigorously preserved in a protecting holder from the time of its minting might retain almost all of its authentic luster, rising its enchantment to collectors.
Understanding the importance of authentic luster is essential for precisely grading and valuing 1879 silver {dollars}. Whereas different components like mint mark and strike high quality contribute to a coin’s price, the presence and high quality of its authentic luster function a robust indicator of its general situation and rarity. A coin retaining its authentic luster indicators it hasn’t been actively in circulation. Recognizing and defending this characteristic is crucial for sustaining and doubtlessly rising the long-term worth of those historic cash. Due to this fact, educated collectors prioritize cash with intact luster, recognizing its rarity and aesthetic enchantment.
6. Mintage Figures
The mintage figures for the 1879 silver greenback are a crucial determinant of its shortage and, consequently, its worth to collectors. These figures symbolize the full variety of cash struck at every mint facility: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Carson Metropolis (“CC”), and New Orleans (“O”). Variations in mintage portions instantly affect the relative rarity of cash from every mint. For instance, the 1879-CC greenback, with a considerably decrease mintage than the 1879 greenback from Philadelphia, instructions a better premium on account of its relative shortage. These figures replicate the financial circumstances and minting priorities of the time, which influence the coin’s present worth.
Mintage figures instantly have an effect on the provision of the coin in numerous grades. The next mintage typically signifies a better survival fee, providing collectors extra alternatives to accumulate examples in numerous circumstances. Conversely, decrease mintage figures usually translate to fewer surviving examples, significantly in greater grades. The 1879-O greenback, whereas not as scarce because the 1879-CC, nonetheless possesses a mintage determine that contributes to its collector worth. Figuring out the mintage amount permits knowledgeable buying selections; as an example, understanding that the Philadelphia mint produced a big amount of 1879 {dollars} permits collectors to deal with buying examples with distinctive strike high quality or distinctive traits.
The influence of mintage figures extends past mere shortage. These figures present beneficial perception into the historic context surrounding the coin’s manufacturing, reflecting financial insurance policies and minting practices of the period. Learning mintage figures together with different components, equivalent to strike high quality and VAM varieties, gives a holistic understanding of the 1879 silver greenback’s numismatic worth. The correct interpretation of mintage information is thus important for each novice and skilled collectors in search of to construct knowledgeable and beneficial collections. The shortage shapes collectibility.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
This part addresses widespread inquiries relating to the 1879 Morgan Silver Greenback, offering readability on numerous features of its worth, historical past, and collectibility.
Query 1: What components primarily decide the worth of an 1879 Morgan Silver Greenback?
The worth is influenced by mint mark (or absence thereof), situation (grading), strike high quality, the presence of any notable VAM varieties, and prevailing silver costs. The “CC” mint mark signifies a coin from the Carson Metropolis Mint. It’s uncommon and beneficial. The Philadelphia coin has no mint mark.
Query 2: How does the silver content material of an 1879 Morgan Silver Greenback have an effect on its price?
As a 90% silver coin, its intrinsic worth is instantly tied to the present market worth of silver. This offers a base worth, with numismatic worth (rarity, situation) including to it.
Query 3: The place can one find the mint mark on an 1879 Morgan Silver Greenback?
The mint mark, if current (Carson Metropolis “CC” or New Orleans “O”), is situated on the reverse of the coin, under the wreath. Philadelphia-minted cash bear no mint mark.
Query 4: Is cleansing an 1879 Morgan Silver Greenback advisable?
Cleansing is mostly discouraged as it might irreparably injury the coin’s floor, diminishing its authentic luster and considerably decreasing its numismatic worth. Preservation is most popular over restoration.
Query 5: What are VAM varieties, and the way do they influence worth?
VAM varieties are die variations arising throughout the minting course of. Uncommon and well-documented VAMs can considerably improve a coin’s worth to specialised collectors.
Query 6: Does the presence of authentic luster have an effect on the coin’s worth?
Sure, authentic luster is an important indicator of uncirculated situation. A coin with sturdy, authentic luster usually instructions a better premium than a comparable coin with diminished or absent luster.
Understanding these components is crucial for assessing the true worth and historic significance of an 1879 Morgan Silver Greenback.
The following part will talk about methods for amassing and preserving these cash.
Ideas for the Collector of 1879 Morgan Silver {Dollars}
Efficiently navigating the complexities of amassing these cash requires a strategic strategy. The following pointers can enhance data and preservation expertise.
Tip 1: Prioritize Information Acquisition: Earlier than buying any examples, conduct thorough analysis. Familiarize your self with grading requirements, mint mark places, VAM varieties, and historic mintage figures. Information mitigates dangers.
Tip 2: Set up Grading Experience: Correct grading is paramount. Research the official grading requirements utilized by respected grading companies. Examine examples throughout totally different grades to discern delicate variations in put on and floor situation.
Tip 3: Deal with Particular Mint Marks: Think about specializing in cash from a selected mint. Concentrating on the Carson Metropolis (“CC”) points, as an example, requires deep data of this mint’s particular traits and potential die variations.
Tip 4: Train Prudence Concerning Cleansing: Keep away from cleansing cash. Cleansing invariably damages the unique floor and diminishes numismatic worth. Protect cash of their present state.
Tip 5: Implement Correct Storage Protocols: Make use of archival-quality holders or albums particularly designed for coin preservation. These defend from environmental injury and stop deterioration.
Tip 6: Seek the advice of with Numismatic Professionals: Search the steering of skilled numismatists or respected coin sellers. Their experience can show invaluable in figuring out genuine cash, evaluating situation, and assessing truthful market costs.
Tip 7: Doc Acquisitions Meticulously: Preserve an in depth stock of your assortment. Document buy costs, grading info, and any pertinent particulars about every coin’s provenance or distinctive traits.
Adherence to those suggestions will improve amassing and preservation. A educated, cautious, and strategic strategy will increase the probability of constructing a beneficial assortment.
The ultimate part concludes this exploration of the 1879 Morgan Silver Greenback, summarizing its key attributes and enduring enchantment.
Conclusion
The previous evaluation has explored the various aspects of the 1879 Morgan Silver Greenback, from its minting historical past and silver composition to its advanced grading requirements and the importance of VAM varieties. The worth of every piece hinges upon a confluence of things, with situation, mint mark, and the presence of authentic luster being paramount concerns. Understanding these nuances is significant for each seasoned numismatists and novice collectors alike. Information of the coin’s qualities permits sound decision-making throughout the numismatic market.
The 1879 Morgan Silver Greenback stays a tangible hyperlink to a pivotal period in American historical past, representing not solely a financial instrument but in addition a cultural artifact. Collectors are inspired to strategy this pursuit with diligence and knowledgeable discernment, recognizing the inherent historic and potential monetary worth these cash possess. Continued analysis and cautious preservation will be certain that these items of American heritage endure for future generations.
