1883-CC Morgan Silver Dollar. MS-68 (PCGS). A magnificent representative of this famed Carson City issue and also the Morgan dollar type. Brilliant and satiny surfaces are fully struck and expertly preserved, dusted in the faintest original patina on both sides. A light prooflike reflectivity is noted in the reverse fields and contributes to the overall exceptional eye appeal. It is tied with the very finest known examples, ranking as one of just six graded MS-68 by PCGS and none finer. The Carson City Mint produced 1,204,000 silver dollars in 1883. Although several 1,000-coin bags were released from federal holding in 1938, during the 1950s and again in the early 1960s, 755,518 examples were held back until distributed as part of the various General Service Administration (GSA) sales of the 1970s. Since the coins sold through that venue represented approximately 62% of the original mintage, it should come as no surprise to read that the 1883-CC is one of the most common Morgan dollars in Mint State. Indeed it is second only to the 1884-CC in this regard and also ranks alongside the 1882-CC as one of the quintessential type candidates in this CC-mint series. (All three of these issues were similarly represented in the GSA sales.) On the other hand, no Carson City Mint Morgan dollar can rightly be considered common in the finest Mint State grades. Jostled around in original bags for years on end, most examples acquired enough abrasions to grade no finer than MS-64 by todays standards. The 1883-CC is certainly obtainable in MS-65 and MS-66, but above that level the conditionally rare nature of the issue comes readily to the fore. Ranking among the very finest survivors known, this delectable Ultra Gem is sure to excite both advanced Morgan dollar collectors and Carson City Mint specialists.
