1890-CC Tailbar Morgan Dollar: Value and Collector Guide
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The 1890-CC Tailbar Morgan Dollar is worth anywhere from $650 in heavily circulated condition to over $15,000 in high-grade mint state. This famous Carson City variety is a favorite among treasure hunters because it features a unique mint error that looks like a literal “bar” attached to the eagle’s tail.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G4) to Very Good (VG8) | $550 – $700 |
| Fine (F12) to Very Fine (VF20) | $850 – $1,100 |
| Extremely Fine (EF40) to About Uncirculated (AU50) | $1,500 – $2,800 |
| Uncirculated (MS60 – MS63) | $4,500 – $9,500 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS64+) | $15,000+ |
Why the 1890-CC Tailbar Variety is a Rare Treasure
If you’ve found an old Morgan Dollar in a chest or inherited a collection, the “CC” mint mark under the eagle’s wreath already makes it special. However, the 1890-CC Tailbar is a legendary “die gouge” variety known to numismatists as VAM-11. It was caused by a deep scratch on the printing die that transferred a vertical line onto the coin’s reverse, appearing as if a bar is dropping from the eagle’s tail feathers. Because these were produced at the legendary Carson City Mint in Nevada, they carry an aura of the Wild West that American collectors find irresistible.
To see if your specific coin matches these rare characteristics, you can use the top coin identifier and value app to get an instant visual confirmation. Many people own the standard 1890-CC, but the Tailbar variety commands a significant premium over the “normal” strike. Using tools like CoinKnow allows you to zoom in on the specific area of the tail feathers to see if that extra bar of silver is present.
The rarity of this piece stems from the fact that most 1890-CC dollars were circulated heavily or melted down over the decades. Finding one with the “Tailbar” feature in a high grade is like finding a needle in a haystack. Most examples found today show significant wear, but even a worn Tailbar is worth significantly more than its weight in silver.
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Decoding the 1890-CC Tailbar Morgan Dollar Value
Determining the exact value of this coin requires a careful analysis of its grade. In the world of coin collecting, the difference between a coin that was used to buy groceries in 1890 and one that sat in a bank vault for 100 years can be several thousand dollars. Because the “Tailbar” is a variety, professional grading by services like PCGS or NGC is almost always required to realize the full market price.
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For those looking for current market trends, checking the 1890-CC Tailbar MS grade auction results can provide a realistic view of what buyers are currently paying. While retail prices in magazines might seem high, actual auction sales are the gold standard for value. As the “CC” mint mark is the most sought-after by collectors, these coins rarely stay on the market for long when they appear.
| Grade (Sheldon Scale) | Estimated Value | Scarcity Level |
|---|---|---|
| VG-10 (Very Good) | $675 | Common for variety |
| VF-25 (Very Fine) | $1,050 | Moderate |
| AU-55 (About Uncirculated) | $3,200 | Scarce |
| MS-62 (Mint State) | $7,500 | Very Rare |
| MS-64 (Choice) | $18,500+ | Exceptional |
How to Identify the Genuine “Tailbar” Error
The primary identifier for this coin is located on the reverse side (the side with the eagle). Look closely at the eagle’s tail feathers, specifically towards the left side near the arrows held in the eagle’s talons. You should see a distinct, vertical raised line of silver that runs through the feathers. This isn’t a scratch on your coin; it is a “die gouge,” meaning the damage was on the stamp itself, creating a raised “bump” on every coin it struck.
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If you aren’t sure if you’re looking at a true Tailbar or just a scratch, the CoinKnow app can help by comparing your coin’s image to documented VAM-11 examples. It is also important to verify the “CC” mint mark above the “DO” in the word “DOLLAR.” Many counterfeit 1890-CC dollars exist because of their high value, so checking the mint mark’s shape and position is vital.
Another secondary characteristic of the 1890-CC Tailbar is a slight “doubling” or thickness in the leaves of the wreath. However, the tailbar itself is the “smoking gun.” If the bar is missing, you simply have a regular 1890-CC Morgan Dollar, which is still valuable but lacks the massive variety bonus.
The Carson City Mint Connection and History
The Carson City Mint is perhaps the most famous mint in American history. It was established specifically to handle the massive amounts of silver coming out of the Comstock Lode. Coins struck here bear the “CC” mark and are generally produced in much lower quantities than those from Philadelphia or New Orleans. For more pricing context on this year, you can view the 1890 Carson City silver dollar price guide to see how much the standard versions are worth.
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Because the Carson City Mint operated on a smaller scale, their quality control sometimes lapsed, leading to interesting varieties like the Tailbar. For collectors, these errors are not seen as flaws but as unique fingerprints of history. To many, owning an 1890-CC Tailbar is like owning a piece of the Old West miners’ payroll.
Understanding the historical context also helps you realize why the condition is so important. Many of these coins were stored in bags and moved via stagecoach or train, causing “bag marks” or small nicks. A coin that survived without these marks is considered a “Gem” and is where the values truly skyrocket into the five-figure range.
| Historical Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Total 1890-CC Mintage | 2,309,041 (all varieties) |
| Tailbar Rarity | Estimated only a few thousand survive |
| Silver Content | 90% Silver, 10% Copper |
| Designer | George T. Morgan |
Tips for Selling Your 1890-CC Tailbar Morgan Dollar
If you believe you have found one of these rare coins, do not clean it! Cleaning a coin is the fastest way to destroy 50% to 90% of its collector value. A dirty, tarnished, or “toned” coin is much more valuable than one that has been scrubbed bright with silver polish. Collectors look for the original “luster”—a frosty sheen that appears when light hits the surface of an uncleaned coin.
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Before approaching a dealer, use CoinKnow to get a rough estimate of the grade. This puts you in a stronger negotiating position. When you are ready to sell, high-end auctions like Heritage Auctions or Stacks Bowers are often the best venues for variety coins like the Tailbar, as they attract specialized collectors who are willing to pay top dollar for rare VAM varieties.
Alternatively, local coin shops are great for quick cash, but they may not offer the full “variety premium” that a specialist would. Always get at least two or three opinions before parting with a coin as significant as the 1890-CC Tailbar. It truly is one of the “blue chips” of the Morgan Dollar series.
FAQ
Q: How can I tell the difference between a real Tailbar and a scratch?
A: A real Tailbar is “raised” above the surface of the coin because it was caused by a depression in the die. A scratch will be “recessed” into the surface. If you run a fingernail (very gently!) over it and it feels like a bump, it’s likely a die variety. If it feels like a groove, it’s damage.
Q: Is every 1890-CC dollar a Tailbar?
A: No. The vast majority of 1890-CC Morgan Dollars are the “normal” variety. The Tailbar (VAM-11) is a specific subset of the mintage created by one damaged die. While all 1890-CC coins are valuable, the Tailbar carries a 20% to 50% premium over the standard version.
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Q: Does the silver price affect the Tailbar’s value?
A: Very little. While the coin contains about 0.77 ounces of pure silver, its value is driven by its numismatic rarity. Even if silver prices dropped to $5 an ounce, an 1890-CC Tailbar would still be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars because of its historical and collector appeal.
Q: Where is the mint mark on an 1890 Morgan Dollar?
A: The mint mark is located on the reverse side, just above the “DO” in “DOLLAR” and below the center of the wreath. If there is no letter, it was made in Philadelphia. If it says “CC,” it was made in Carson City.
Q: Should I get my 1890-CC Tailbar graded?
A: Yes, absolutely. Because the Tailbar is a specific variety and highly prone to counterfeiting, having it authenticated and graded by PCGS or NGC is the only way to guarantee its value to a potential buyer. It is worth the $50-$100 investment in grading fees.
