Where is the mint mark on a 1882 silver dollar? An 1882 silver dollar is a fascinating piece of history. As collectors know, small details like the mint mark can greatly affect these coins’ value.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: the mint mark on an 1882 silver dollar can be found on the reverse side, below the eagle’s tail feathers, just above the “DO” in the word “DOLLAR”.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to locate the mint mark on your 1882 silver dollar.
A Brief History of 1882 Silver Dollars
When and why they were minted
The 1882 Morgan silver dollar was minted in large numbers at the Philadelphia, Carson City, New Orleans, and San Francisco mints. This coin marked the return of the silver dollar as an active denomination in American commerce after a long hiatus.
The Coinage Act of 1873 had discontinued the standard silver dollar, much to the dismay of mining interests. The agitation for restoring the coin by the silver lobby led Congress to pass the Bland–Allison Act in 1878, requiring the Treasury to resume purchases of silver for striking into dollars.
The intent was to inject more currency into circulation, provide use for mined silver, and head off calls to move away from the gold standard. Nearly 788 million Morgan dollars would be struck over the next 40+ years as a result.
The 1882 edition is very common, with millions of circulation strikes in addition to Proofs.
Number of coins produced at each mint
| Mint | Number of Coins |
| Philadelphia | 11,101,100 |
| Carson City | 1,133,000 |
| New Orleans | 6,090,000 |
| San Francisco | 9,250,000 |
The Philadelphia and San Francisco mints were the major producers, striking coins for general circulation. Carson City and New Orleans struck fewer coins often used in local transactions on the West Coast. Yet 1882 marks one of the highest mintages among the rare Carson City Morgan dollars.
The vast majority entered into circulation, with precious few high-grade Uncirculated coins known today. Only Proofs and the rarest coins still in Mint State condition carry large premiums. Most collectors are satisfied seeking nice circulated examples of this historic 120+-year-old silver memento still found in antique shops and shows.
Locating the Mint Mark
Where mint marks are located on coins
Mint marks indicate at which US mint a coin was struck. On nearly all US coins, the mint mark is located on the obverse (front) side of the coin below the year. On earlier coin issues until the mid-1800s, coins did not bear mint marks.
For the 1882 Morgan silver dollar, the mint mark is located on the eagle (back) side of the coin, just above the DO in “DOLLAR”. You will need to flip your 1882 silver dollar over and look carefully above the D in DOLLAR to check if there is a mint mark letter and identify where your coin was struck.
The different mint marks used on 1882 silver dollars
In 1882, three mints were striking silver dollars – Philadelphia (no mint mark), New Orleans (O), and San Francisco (S). Here is a breakdown of the 1882 silver dollar mintages by mint:
- 1882 Philadelphia silver dollars – 11,101,100 minted
- 1882-O New Orleans silver dollars – 6,090,000 minted
- 1882-S San Francisco silver dollars – 9,250,000 minted
Since the Philadelphia Mint did not place mint marks on coins at that time, 1882 silver dollars struck there had no mint mark. You will need to check for an O or S mint mark above the DOLLAR to identify New Orleans or San Francisco issue coins.
| Mint | Mint Mark | 1882 Silver Dollar Mintage |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | No mint mark | 11,101,100 |
| New Orleans | O | 6,090,000 |
| San Francisco | S | 9,250,000 |
The 1882 Philadelphia no-mint mark issues are the most common, while the 1882-O and 1882-S are considered more scarce. An 1882-S silver dollar is worth around $65 in typically worn condition, while an 1882-O trades for closer to $85. High-grade mint state examples can be evaluated much higher.
Some good online resources with photos and more details about 1882 silver dollars:
Checking for Rare Varieties
When checking an 1882 silver dollar for rare varieties, there are a few key things to look for:
Die Varieties
Several different die varieties for the 1882 silver dollar can make certain coins more valuable to collectors. This includes things like – Doubled Die Obverse. On some 1882 dollars, the date, letters, and other design elements on the front of the coin show a noticeable doubling. This doubling happened early in the minting process and made the coin more desirable.
Mint Marks
1882 was the first year that the San Francisco mint produced Morgan silver dollars with an “S” mint mark. Finding one of these mint-marked coins helps prove that it was struck at the San Francisco mint rather than the main facility in Philadelphia.
The 1882-S is considered a key date for the series and commands a higher market value as a result.
| 1882 Philadelphia Mint | No Mint Mark |
| 1882 San Francisco Mint | S Mint Mark |
Condition
As with all rare coins, the condition of an 1882 Morgan silver dollar plays a huge role in its value. According to the Professional Coin Grading Service, a problem-free 1882 dollar in Mint State 65 condition is worth around $275. However, examples graded higher at MS67 can trade for over $7,500.
Checking the surface quality, luster, and strike sharpness under light when inspecting an 1882 dollar is important.
Using a combination of die variety knowledge, mint mark identification, and condition evaluation allows collectors to determine if an 1882 Morgan dollar is indeed a rare and valuable find.
Grading Condition and Authentication
Professional grading services
When determining the value of an 1882 silver dollar, having the coin professionally graded and authenticated is very important. Top-tier services like PCGS and NGC will assign a numeric grade from 1 to 70 based on the coin’s condition, with 70 being perfect.
They also encapsulate the coin and guarantee its authenticity. This professional assessment gives buyers confidence when purchasing expensive rare coins.
Additionally, details like mint marks greatly impact an 1882 silver dollar’s worth. For example, the 1882-CC Morgan silver dollar had a relatively low mintage of just 1.1 million coins. An 1882-CC in mint state 65 condition could sell for over $500.
However, an 1882 Philadelphia Mint Morgan with no mint mark had a huge mintage of over 11 million. So an 1882 Philadelphia dollar in the same nice condition sells for around $100. Professional grading eliminates the guesswork for collectors.
What alters a coin’s value
There are a few key factors that can alter an 1882 silver dollar’s value either positively or negatively. First is the coin’s physical condition – a coin in pristine mint condition will always command the highest market value.
However, cleaning the coin’s surfaces, harsh polishing, scratches, damage, etc. can significantly reduce desirability and prices paid by collectors or investors.
Secondly, originality is paramount. Any alteration like tooling, engraving, graffiti, holes, or removal of original mint luster can negatively impact the coin’s collectability. Lastly, while circulation sets in wear and tear, heavy wear or damage from improper storage can diminish eye appeal.
This is why grading services are so useful for authentication and assessing preservation.
Where Is The Mint Mark On A 1882 Silver Dollar – Conclusion
We’ve covered the key details about finding the mint mark on 1882 silver dollars, but always consult a reputable professional if authenticating rare coins for purchase.
With this knowledge in hand, you can now confidently locate the mint mark and assess the rarity of any 1882 silver dollar that comes your way.
