Is Your 1889-CC Morgan Dollar Authentic? 5 Diagnostic Tests Every Collector Must Know

The Morgan Dollar Counterfeit Crisis: Why Your Eagle Eye Matters Today

Picture this: you’re holding what could be one of the West’s greatest numismatic treasures – an 1889-CC Morgan Dollar. But in today’s market flooded with fakes, that excitement could turn to heartbreak without proper authentication. With just 350,000 struck (and far fewer surviving in any condition), this legendary Carson City issue commands anywhere from $1,500 in well-worn G-4 to over $100,000 for pristine Mint State examples. These staggering premiums have made it prime target for counterfeiters, particularly sophisticated Chinese fakes permeating collector circles. Having personally examined dozens of suspect 1889-CC Morgans across authentication boards, I’ve distilled five foolproof methods to help you separate frontier silver from modern fraud.

1889-CC: The Frontier Mint’s Swan Song

The Carson City Mint battled equipment shortages and silver strikes while producing Morgans from 1878-1893. The 1889-CC emerged during its twilight years, born from just 7 reverse die pairs according to VAM specialists. Only four produced the coveted Far Date variety, with VAM-3 standing out for that distinctive CC mintmark tilted slightly leftward. Understanding this historical context isn’t just academic – it’s your first line of defense. Genuine pieces must show die characteristics that align perfectly with the Mint’s documented struggles and limited output.

Your 1889-CC Authentication Toolkit: Key Diagnostic Features

1. Weight and Composition – The Unforgiving Metrics

Every authentic Morgan Dollar is a precision instrument: 26.73 grams of 90% silver and 10% copper. Arm yourself with a scale accurate to 0.01 grams:

• Walk Away If: Weight strays beyond ±0.20 grams
• Dead Giveaway: Modern fakes often hover around 26.50-26.60g due to base metal cores

Never skip the magnet test! Silver’s non-magnetic nature means any attraction to a neodymium magnet reveals a counterfeit heart beneath deceptive surfaces.

2. Die Markers – The VAM-3 Fingerprint

With only one die pair creating the famed tilted CC mintmark (VAM-3), these features are your smoking gun:

• Obverse: Clean bow without the ‘M’ seen on some other VAMs
• Reverse: CC mintmark leaning 15° left relative to denticles – like a cowboy’s tipped hat
• Die Polish Lines: Three telltale streaks flowing from the eagle’s right wing feathers

“That mintmark alignment feels ‘off’ compared to certified examples.” – Sharp-eyed Collector Observation

3. Surface Truths – Where Fakes Falter

Grab your loupe (10x magnification minimum) and examine like a prospector panning for gold:

• Authentic: Granular silver surfaces with natural luster, even wear patterns
• Fake: Mushy details under magnification, artificial toning that looks painted rather than earned
• Strike Quality: Genuine pieces show softness on the eagle’s breast feathers but razor-sharp denticles

Watch for the “wire rim” effect discussed in collector forums – an unnatural raised edge betraying cast counterfeits.

The Chinese Counterfeit Wave: Know Your Enemy

Shocking estimate: 90% of raw 1889-CC dollars in today’s market are fakes. Chinese counterfeiters specialize in:

• Cast Fakes: Porous surfaces, rounded details, and flow lines like melted wax
• Struck Copies: Better quality but often botch the mintmark placement and strike sharpness
• Artificial Aging: Chemical patinas attempting to mimic 130 years of history in a vat

“These new fakes make yesterday’s counterfeits look like child’s play.” – Veteran Collector Warning

The Collector’s Authentication Protocol

When confronting a potential 1889-CC Morgan, treat it like a crime scene:

1. Scale Test: Confirm 26.73g ±0.20g – no exceptions
2. Magnet Check: Rare earth magnet reveals all imposters
3. Die Study: Compare to PCGS CoinFacts VAM-3 reference like your collection depends on it
4. Surface Forensics: Hunt for casting seams under 40x magnification
5. Professional Verification: That $50 NGC/PCGS fee? Cheap insurance for true numismatic value

Conclusion: The Thrill of the Authentic Chase

While counterfeiters grow more sophisticated, the 1889-CC Morgan Dollar’s frontier spirit lives through its limited mintage and distinctive diagnostics. As one sage collector noted: “For every genuine example, ten fakes circle like vultures.” But armed with these authentication techniques – especially weight verification, magnetism tests, and die marker mastery – you can navigate this minefield with confidence. A legitimate 1889-CC remains the holy grail of Western numismatics: a piece that rewards sharp eyes with both historical resonance and the pure joy of holding a rare variety that outsmarted the fakers. Now go forth – your next genuine Carson City treasure awaits.

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