My 1889 CC Morgan Silver Dollar Saga: A 6-Month Authenticity Journey (and What I Wish I Knew)

I’ve Been Obsessing Over This Coin for Months – Here’s My Raw Experience

When my grandfather pressed his 1889 CC Morgan Silver Dollar into my palm, I thought I held retirement money. Six sleepless months later, I’ve survived a baptism by fire in coin authentication that rewrote everything I knew about collecting. Let me walk you through my gut-wrenching journey – the doubts, the discoveries, and what I’d do differently.

The Day Everything Changed

Like every new collector, I saw dollar signs first. The Carson City mint mark whispered tales of Wild West saloons and silver strikes. But when I finally examined Grandpa’s coin under my jeweler’s loupe? My stomach dropped.

Red Flags I Wish I’d Seen Sooner

• That weird artificial glow in certain lights
• Letters that looked slightly… off, like a bad photocopy
• Patchy toning that didn’t match my reference books

My Authentication Nightmare

What followed was a blur of library visits, desperate forum posts, and enough blown-up coin photos to wallpaper my office. For 1889 CC Morgans, authentication lives or dies by three things:

1. Mint Mark Analysis (Where I Got Schooled)

The “CC” mark has quirks collectors obsess over. After comparing mine to the PCGS CoinFacts database, I spotted trouble:

“See how the right ‘C’ sits lower? That’s the VAM-5 variety – make or break for authenticity.”

Here’s my side-by-side with PCGS references:

2. Surface Secrets Revealed

Experts quickly noticed what my untrained eye missed:

• Tiny parallel lines screaming “cleaning attempt!”
• Bald spots where chemicals ate the patina
• Pitting around Liberty’s cheek like acne scars

3. The Weight of Truth

My shaky hands measured:

Weight: 26.73g (close enough)
Diameter: 38.1mm (spot on)
Thickness: 2.4mm (thanks, Great Depression pocket wear)


Grading Gut Punch

Here’s where my fantasy met cold, hard reality:

Dreams vs. Actual Value

Why I Spent $300 on a Plastic Tomb

Even with the damage, I slabbed it through PCGS because:

1. Sleep Insurance

Knowing 60% of ’89-CC Morgans are fake? Worth every penny for peace of mind.

2. Preservation Matters

This is Grandpa’s story in silver – needed protection from my clumsy hands.

3. Escape Hatch

Slabbed coins sell faster, period. Even problem children like mine.

$5,000 Lesson Learned the Hard Way

Between grading fees and expert consults, I blew $800 to learn:

4 Sacred Rules for Inherited Coins

1. No cleaning. Ever: Your polishing rag is a money shredder
2. Trust but verify: Three opinions minimum before celebrating
3. Photo proof: Shoot every angle before touching anything
4. Sentiment ≠ value: Grandpa’s love stays – the coin’s grade doesn’t care

Where We Stand Now

The PCGS verdict landed like a judge’s gavel:

“Genuine – VF Details (Cleaned) – Mint Mark 5”

The financial loss stung, but I gained superpowers:

• Spot fake CC mint marks across a crowded room
• Diagnose cleaned coins like a numismatic doctor
• Decode grading paperwork in under 30 seconds

The Real Treasure

This Morgan transformed me from starry-eyed newbie to street-smart collector. The silver? Still valuable. But what I really gained:

• An authentication process that’s bulletproof
• Newfound reverence for original surfaces
• Every scratch tells a story worth preserving

If you’re holding a questionable Morgan, hear this: True value lives between your ears, not in the mint mark. Get it slabbed, honor its story, but always – always – verify.

Related Resources

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