The Carson City Mint opened in 1870 to coin silver from the nearby Comstock Lode, the richest silver strike in American history. Its distinctive CC mintmark on Morgan dollars has drawn collectors for generations, and many of the finest surviving examples reached the public through a government sale decades later.
The Carson City Mint and the Comstock Lode
Congress authorized the Carson City Mint in 1863 during the Civil War to process ore from Nevada mines. The facility began striking coins in 1870, first producing Seated Liberty dollars before shifting to Morgan dollars starting in 1878. Production occurred in two periods: 1878 to 1885 and 1889 to 1893, after which the mint closed permanently.
The Comstock Lode supplied much of the silver used at the mint. Nevada mines contributed significantly to U.S. silver output in the late 1800s, though the mint also struck gold coins and other denominations. The CC mintmark appears on the reverse of these coins, setting them apart from issues from Philadelphia, San Francisco, or New Orleans.
Morgan Dollars Struck at Carson City
Morgan silver dollars contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper, weigh 26.73 grams, and measure 38.1 millimeters in diameter. The Carson City Mint produced 13 dates of Morgan dollars with mintages ranging from a low of 228,000 for the 1885-CC to over 2 million for several other dates.
Key dates such as the 1879-CC, 1889-CC, 1892-CC, and 1893-CC are scarcer in the series. Many Carson City Morgans survived in uncirculated condition because they remained in Treasury storage rather than entering circulation.
Documented Mintage Figures
- 1878-CC: 2,212,000
- 1879-CC: 756,000
- 1880-CC: 591,000
- 1881-CC: 296,000
- 1882-CC: 1,133,000
- 1883-CC: 1,204,000
- 1884-CC: 1,136,000
- 1885-CC: 228,000
- 1889-CC: 350,000
- 1890-CC: 2,309,041
- 1891-CC: 1,618,000
- 1892-CC: 1,352,000
- 1893-CC: 677,000
The GSA Carson City Silver Dollar Hoard
After silver certificate redemption ended in the 1960s, the Treasury discovered approximately three million silver dollars in storage, the majority of which were Carson City Morgans. Congress authorized the General Services Administration to sell the coins to the public through a series of mail-bid sales from 1972 to 1980.
The GSA sales dispersed nearly 2.8 million Carson City Morgan dollars in distinctive hard plastic holders. The first sale occurred on October 31, 1972, and seven sales in total generated roughly $100 million for the Treasury. These government-packaged coins introduced many collectors to the CC series and remain popular today.
Las Vegas and Vintage Carson City Silver Dollars
Las Vegas casinos once used actual silver dollars, including many Carson City Morgans, in dollar slot machines during the mid-20th century. Circulated examples often show wear from years of casino use, while uncirculated pieces from the GSA hoard escaped that fate. The city developed a strong collecting culture around these historic coins, with local shops and enthusiasts preserving Nevada’s silver mining legacy for visitors and residents alike.
Collecting and Preserving CC Morgan Dollars
Collectors value Carson City Morgan dollars for their limited mintages, distinctive mintmark, and connection to Nevada history. Original GSA holders add appeal for many buyers. Proper storage in protective holders helps maintain condition, and authentication by major grading services confirms authenticity and grade.
Whether acquired for their silver content or numismatic interest, these vintage coins offer a tangible link to the Comstock era and the story of American silver coinage.
