1884-CC $1 Morgan Dollar PCGS MS63+ GSA

Key Features

1. Design:
   • Obverse: Lady Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap adorned with wheat and cotton, symbolizing freedom and agriculture. Designed by George T. Morgan.
   • Reverse: Bald eagle with outstretched wings, clutching arrows and an olive branch, symbolizing strength and peace.
   • Inscriptions: “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “ONE DOLLAR.”
2. Specifications:
   • Composition: 90% silver, 10% copper.
   • Weight: 26.73 grams (0.7734 troy ounces of silver).
   • Diameter: 38.1 mm.
   • Edge: Reeded.
3. Mintmark:
   • Struck at the Carson City Mint (CC)—a highly prized mint associated with the Old West and the Comstock Lode silver rush.

GSA Holder and History

• GSA Hoard:
  • The GSA Hoard was a stockpile of Carson City Morgan Dollars discovered in U.S. Treasury vaults in the 1960s and sold by the General Services Administration (GSA) in the 1970s and early 1980s.
  • Many coins were preserved in original mint condition due to being stored in vaults rather than circulated.
• Original Packaging:
  • The coin is sealed in its original GSA hard plastic holder, often accompanied by a certificate of authenticity (COA).
  • Coins in GSA holders are especially desirable due to their historical provenance and guaranteed authenticity.

Grading and Condition

• PCGS MS63+:
  • Graded by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), a leading grading service.
  • MS63+ represents a high-end choice uncirculated coin, with brilliant luster and minimal contact marks.
  • The “+” designation indicates that the coin is of superior quality for its grade and approaches MS64 quality.

Mintage and Rarity

• Total Mintage: 1,136,000 coins were struck at the Carson City Mint in 1884.
• GSA Population:
  • A significant number of 1884-CC Morgans were preserved in the GSA Hoard, but many have since been removed from the original holders, making GSA-certified examples rarer.

Historical Significance

1. Carson City Mint:
   • Operated from 1870 to 1893 in Nevada, serving as a hub for silver from the Comstock Lode.
   • Its coins are associated with the Old West, making them highly collectible.
2. Connection to GSA Hoard:
   • Rediscovered in Treasury vaults, GSA coins became symbols of preserved American history, offering collectors a chance to own uncirculated pieces directly from government holdings.

Conclusion

The 1884-CC $1 Morgan Dollar PCGS MS63+ GSA is a historically significant and highly collectible coin valued for its Carson City mintmark, high-grade condition, and GSA provenance.