Where is the mint mark on a Morgan dollar?
Short answer: on the reverse (the eagle side), just below the ribbon bow of the wreath and above the word DOLLAR. The letter tells you the mint: CC Carson City, O New Orleans, S San Francisco, D Denver (1921 only). No letter means Philadelphia.
Sources: PCGS, NGC. Updated October 7, 2026.
Morgan dollar mint marks and years
Original Morgan dollars were struck from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921 (PCGS CoinFacts).
| Mint mark | Mint and years |
|---|---|
| None | Philadelphia — 1878–1904 and 1921 |
| CC | Carson City, Nevada — 1878–1885 and 1889–1893 |
| O | New Orleans, Louisiana — 1879–1904 |
| S | San Francisco, California — 1878–1904 and 1921 |
| D | Denver, Colorado — 1921 only (the only Denver Morgan dollar) |
How to find it on your coin
- Turn the coin to the side with the eagle.
- Look at the bottom center: the wreath curves around under the eagle and is tied with a bow. The mint mark sits just below that bow, above the letters of DOLLAR.
- Use a 5x–10x magnifier and light from the side. The 1921-D mark is very small (PCGS), and worn coins can make any letter hard to read.
- If there is clean, undisturbed metal and no letter, it is a Philadelphia coin.
Hold the coin by its edges, and don't clean it — cleaning leaves hairline scratches that lower a collectible coin's value.
Does the mint mark change the value?
Yes, often a lot — but only together with the year and the condition. The same date can be common from one mint and scarce from another. Key dates and scarce coins named by PCGS and NGC include:
- 1893-S — the best-known key date in the series (PCGS CoinFacts).
- 1889-CC — a key date, and one that is often counterfeited.
- 1895 (no mint mark) — NGC calls it the king of the Morgan dollar series; it is known mainly as a proof (NGC).
- 1884-S, 1892-S and 1901 — easier to find worn, scarce in Mint State.
- 1921-D — common, but the only Denver Morgan, so every mint-mark set needs one.
Because a single letter can change a coin's value so much, counterfeiters sometimes add a mint mark to a Philadelphia coin or remove one; NGC shows what tool marks and disturbed metal look like (NGC: altered mint marks). For a key date, ask PCGS, NGC or a reputable dealer to authenticate it before you buy or sell.
Every original Morgan dollar is 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams (PCGS CoinFacts), so even a common date carries silver value.
Morgan dollars dated 2021 or later
These are modern collector coins from the US Mint, not originals. The 2021 issue came in five versions: no mint mark (Philadelphia), S (San Francisco), D (Denver), and raised privy marks reading O and CC that honor the former New Orleans and Carson City mints (NGC, US Mint).
Frequently asked questions
Where is the mint mark on a Morgan dollar?
On the reverse (the eagle side), just below the ribbon bow of the wreath, above the word DOLLAR. The letter is CC (Carson City), O (New Orleans), S (San Francisco) or D (Denver, 1921 only). No letter means the coin was struck in Philadelphia.
What does no mint mark on a Morgan dollar mean?
It was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which did not use a mint mark on Morgan dollars. Philadelphia struck Morgan dollars every year from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921.
Which mint marks are found on Morgan dollars?
CC for Carson City (1878–1885 and 1889–1893), O for New Orleans (1879–1904), S for San Francisco (1878–1904 and 1921) and D for Denver (1921 only). Philadelphia coins have no letter.
Why is the 1921-D mint mark hard to see?
The 1921-D is the only Denver Morgan dollar, and PCGS notes its mint mark is very small (PCGS: A Discussion of Five Mints). Use a 5x–10x magnifier and light from the side.
Which Morgan dollar mint marks are the most valuable?
It depends on the year, the mint and the condition together, not the letter alone. Key dates published by PCGS and NGC include the 1889-CC, 1893-S and 1895 (Philadelphia); the 1884-S, 1892-S and 1901 are scarce in Mint State. Because a mint mark can change a coin's value so much, counterfeiters sometimes add or remove one (NGC on altered mint marks), so have a key date authenticated.
Do 2021 and newer Morgan dollars have mint marks?
Yes. They are modern collector coins from the US Mint, not originals. The 2021 issue came in five versions: no mint mark (Philadelphia), S, D, and privy marks O and CC honoring the former New Orleans and Carson City mints (NGC, US Mint).
Check your coin with Honest Coin
Honest Coin, a coin identifier app for iPhone, is coming soon to the App Store. Photograph both sides and it reads the year, mint mark and series, flags key dates like the 1893-S and 1889-CC, shows the silver melt value, and links to what that exact coin really sold for — no guessed prices.
Also read: How do I find out what an old coin is worth? · Are wheat pennies worth anything? · About Honest Coin
Honest Coin identifies coins from photos — it is not an appraisal, grade or authentication. See the disclaimer. Not affiliated with the US Mint, PCGS or NGC.