1889-CC Morgan Silver Dollar  - 1889-CC Morgan $1 PCGS VF25. This key date 1889-CC Morgan Dollar is a lightly toned, clean coin with hints of mint luster in protected areas. The coin is basically white with a hint of golden-tan in the obverse field and at the rim. The reverse is slightly darker with the silvery-tan devices set against a lightly toned background. About two-thirds of Libertys hairlines show plainly. Her ear is well defined, as is the hair above her forehead. The eagles feathers show plainly except for its breast. The surfaces are clean for the grade with no notable abrasion marks or other distractions. The colors show the surfaces originality.

When first discovered, gold and silver found in Nevada had to be shipped over the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the branch mint in San Francisco. This trip was dangerous and expensive. The Nevada mine owners asked Congress to establish a branch of the mint in their state, and legislation was enacted in 1863. Carson City was chosen as the location for the mint facility because it was near some of the major mining sites.

George T. Morgans design for the dollar shows a close head of Liberty in profile facing left. She wears a headband inscribed LIBERTY. In her hair are cotton, corn, wheat, and tobacco. She wears a modified Phrygian cap and is surrounded with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, thirteen stars (seven left and six right), and the date. The reverse shows an eagle with wings raised looking left. In its talons are arrows and olive branch, symbols of preparedness and peace. A wreath is below and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST is above. Except for the eagles wing tips, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and ONE DOLLAR circumscribe the design. The mintmark is below the wreath and above the denomination.

George T. Morgan was born on January 4, 1845 in Birmingham, England. Morgan attended the Birmingham Art School and won a scholarship to the South Kensington Art School. He worked as an assistant under the Wyons at the British Royal Mint. In 1876 Morgan immigrated to the United States and was hired as an assistant to William Barber at the United States Mint. Morgan reported directly to Mint Director Henry R. Linderman, whose office was moved to Washington D.C. in 1873, no doubt upsetting Engraver Barber and his son, Assistant Engraver, Charles Barber. Morgan was involved in the production of pattern coins from 1877 until his death in 1925.

The 1889-CC is a key date in the Morgan series. In Uncirculated condition, the cost ranges from $25,000 to $400,000. An acceptable way to fill that hole is with a nice, circulated example such as the present piece.