1879-S Morgan Dollar Value
Expect a 1879-S Morgan Dollar to trade between about $29.00 and $282, driven almost entirely by grade, and its metal content alone is worth $28.23 as of 2026-06-01 Where your coin lands depends on wear, strike and surface quality.
1879-S Morgan Dollar value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $28.23 |
| Good (G-4) | $29.00 to $38.00 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $29.00 to $39.50 |
| Fine (F-12) | $29.00 to $41.50 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $30.50 to $45.00 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $35.00 to $51.00 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $42.00 to $62.00 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $53.00 to $77.50 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $72.00 to $106 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $192 to $282 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
Today's value of the 1879-S Morgan Dollar
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1879-S Morgan Dollar starts around $29.00. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $282. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1879-S Morgan Dollar specifications
- Series
- Morgan Dollar
- Year
- 1879
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 9,110,000
- Composition
- 90% silver, 10% copper
- Weight
- 26.73 g
- Diameter
- 38.1 mm
- Edge
- Reeded
- Designer
- George T. Morgan
- Silver content
- 0.77344 troy oz
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Where is the mint mark on a 1879 Morgan Dollar?
To confirm your 1879 coin is the San Francisco issue, find the small "S". On the reverse, just below the wreath bow and above the letters DO in DOLLAR The mark is small, so tilt the coin under a light if it is not obvious.
What makes the 1879-S Morgan Dollar valuable
At 9,110,000 struck, scarcity is not the story here. Condition is: well-preserved examples with original luster stand far above the worn majority.
The 90% silver composition gives a 1879-S Morgan Dollar 0.7734 oz of precious metal ($28.23 at current spot). Bullion demand alone supports the bottom of its price range.
Context adds the final layer to the 1879-S Morgan Dollar. Five mints struck Morgan dollars: Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Francisco, Carson City, and, in 1921 only, Denver. Owning this date means owning a piece of that story, and demand for the series as a whole sustains liquidity for every issue in it.
Summary: the 1879-S Morgan Dollar is valued between $29.00 and $282 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.