5 Costly 1889-CC Morgan Dollar Evaluation Mistakes (And How to Prevent Them Forever)

I’ve Seen These 1889-CC Morgan Mistakes Destroy Value – Here’s Your Shield

After thirty years of holding Morgan dollars under a loupe, I’ve witnessed collectors make the same costly mistakes with 1889-CC specimens time and again. This isn’t just any silver dollar – it’s a Carson City rarity where one oversight can slash your coin’s value by 90%. Let me walk you through the five most painful errors and show you exactly how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Trusting Family Stories Over Facts

That “Heirloom” Could Be a Fake

I’ll never forget the collector who brought me his “priceless family treasure” – only for us to discover someone had glued the CC mintmark on in the 1960s. The 1889-CC is one of the most faked Morgans out there. Fakes are so convincing they’ve fooled experts for decades.

How to Spot the Real Deal

• Mintmark Telltales: Grab your loupe and check for:
  • The right C sits slightly lower than the left
  • A subtle 15-degree slant to the mintmark
  • Faint tooling marks from the original die
• VAM Verification: Only 13 legitimate varieties exist. Compare:
  Date position → Eagle breast feathers → Reverse details

Mistake #2: Missing Signs of Cleaning

How I Spotted a $4,200 Dipping Disaster

PCGS reports show most 1889-CC dollars have been cleaned or damaged. That “lovely toning” might be chemical aging. Here’s how to know for sure:

Angle Test: Tilt the coin under light to reveal telltale hairlines
LED Scan: Watch for unnatural reflective patterns
UV Light: Cleaning solutions often glow under ultraviolet

What to Do If It’s Been Cleaned

If you spot signs of cleaning:

• Put down the polish cloth immediately
• Protect it in an acid-free holder
• Only consider professional help for active corrosion

Mistake #3: Overgrading Your Coin

The Harsh Truth About Wishful Grading

I’ve seen coins that looked XF-40 at first glance get labeled “VF Details” by graders. Here’s what really matters:

How to Grade Like a Pro

Before estimating condition:

• Study PCGS CoinFacts reference images
• Compare eagle feathers under magnification
• Match wear patterns to Sheldon scale examples

Mistake #4: Indecision About Slabbing

The $1,000 Slab Dilemma

Here’s the cold math on certified vs. raw:

Pristine raw XF-40: $7,500+
Cleaned in slab: $1,200
Cleaned raw: $800

When to Get It Graded

• Family heirlooms: Always slab (protects for future generations)
• Selling soon: Slab if XF or better
• Keeping raw: At least get it authenticated

Mistake #5: Letting Emotions Cloud Judgment

When Love for a Coin Costs You Money

Sentimental attachment leads to three dangerous traps:

• Believing it’s real just because it’s old
• Seeing higher grades than professionals do
• Attempting risky “improvements”

How to Stay Objective

Treat every coin like evidence:

• Document it before you get attached
• Get outside opinions before hearing family stories
• Keep separate records of sentimental and market value

Your 1889-CC Inspection Toolkit

Before examining your Morgan:

1. Wear clean gloves
2. Set up proper lighting
3. Have at least 10x magnification
4. Print grading references
5. Photograph details clearly

Final Thoughts: Protect Your Investment

The 1889-CC Morgan is rare enough to be valuable but common enough to be faked. By following these steps, you’ll avoid the heartbreak of discovering your treasure isn’t what you thought. In coin collecting, careful inspection always pays off. When unsure about a coin’s authenticity or grade, professional certification is your safest bet.

Related Resources

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