1889-CC Morgan Dollar (1889-CC Morgan $1) PCGS AU55. Bright mint luster shimmers from the devices of this lovely semi-key Morgan dollar. The coin is white with bluish-grey toning on Libertys cheek and the obverse field. The reverse has light tan and blue toning in the fields that is somewhat darker near the denomination. Very light wear is seen on the hair over Libertys ear and the eagles breast, in keeping with the grade. The strike is sharp on both sides, especially so on the reverse with every detail in the wreath and all of the feathers bold and clear. The 9 in the date is higher than the other numbers. Since this coin is rare, it has been a target of forgers. They take a genuine Philadelphia 1889 and affix a CC to it creating a coin that is one hundred times more valuable. Authentication is, therefore, required. (Note: All USRCI coins are authenticated by one of the two major grading services.)

Coinage began at the Carson City Mint in 1870 when a Liberty Seated silver dollar was produced. In 1884 Democrat Grover Cleveland became president. He fired all the Republican appointees including the top officials at the Carson City Mint and shut it down. A year later it reopened as an assay office. When Republican Benjamin Harrison became president, he fired Clevelands appointees and replaced them with Republicans. In 1889 coining operations at Carson City resumed, and the present coin was issued.