Numismatic

1878-CC Morgan Dollar MS-63 NGC

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In 1878, a new silver coin emerged that would become a cornerstone of American currency. This inaugural year of the Morgan Dollar series features a design that captured the spirit of a growing nation. Struck with 0.77344 ounces of silver, this specific piece bears the coveted "CC" mint mark of the Carson City Mint, a facility deeply tied to the silver booms of the American West. This coin has survived the decades in a remarkable state of preservation, graded as a choice Mint State 63. The obverse presents a left-facing portrait of Liberty. She wears a Phrygian cap, a traditional emblem of freedom, secured by a hair band inscribed with the word "LIBERTY". Encircling her profile are thirteen stars, the date of issue 1878, and the Latin motto "E Pluribus Unum". On the reverse, a bald eagle holds an olive branch and arrows in its talons, representing both peace and defense. The eagle is framed by the inscriptions "United States of America", "One Dollar", and the national motto "In God We Trust". The Carson City Mint's distinctive "CC" mark is positioned just above the denomination, marking this coin's origin in the Nevada desert. While the Morgan Dollar series circulated for nearly 80 years, specimens like this one offer a clear window into the very beginning of that long run.