1885-CC Morgan Dollar
Guidelines for Collecting:
More than half of the original mintage of the 1885-CC Morgan dollar survived and was distributed in the late 20th century. Most examples are brilliant and lustrous with nice eye appeal. Today, the 1885-CC is the rarest of all Morgan dollars in circulated grades, more so than the 1889-CC and 1893-S. This was the last coin of any type struck at the Carson City Mint—which was closed in November 1885—until 1889 when the facility reopened. Strikes range from weak to sharp, but most examples have above average strike quality and brilliant, frosty luster.
The Carson City Coin Collectors of America group offers information on silver dollars and other issues and has an attractive Internet site worth checking.
Availability in Circulated Grades:
Relatively very few examples of the date exist in circulated grades and when seen are apt to be VF to EF or so with a small population of “slider” AU pieces also available.
Availability in Mint State Grades:
Though this is the Carson City Morgan dollar date with the smallest mintage, it exists in just about any Mint State grade today’s collectors could desire. Many Uncirculated 1885-CC dollars entered the marketplace in the early 1960s and still others were released in the 1970s during the GSA offerings. It is estimated that 65% of all Mint State 1885-CC dollars were released by the GSA in the early 1970s.
Availability in Proof:
None produced.
The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the June 2011 Baltimore Auction, where it realized $31,625.
1885-CC Morgan Dollar Auction Highlights
 PCGS MS-67, CAC Sold for $31,625 View Lot 4476 |  PCGS MS-67+ Sold for $25,200 View Lot 3054 |  NGC MS-67 DPL Sold for $25,200 View Lot 4137 |
