Many 1878-CC GSA Morgan silver dollars that have received MS-65 ratings do not deserve this grade. These pieces are better suited to the MS-64+ grade, or even MS-64. Some MS-65 GSA specimens of this date qualify as midrange for the grade. They are certainly acceptable as MS-65 examples, at prices a bit less than that brought for the higher end MS-65 coins. A small percentage of MS-65-certified 1878-CC GSA silver dollars display noticeably superior eye appeal when compared with ones in the same grade with lesser quality. The NGC-rated example offered here is one such superior quality piece.

Beaming with essentially all-white lustrous surfaces this specimen falls a couple tiny marks short of an MS-66 rating. An insignificant cluster of minimal hits on Lady Liberty’s front-jaw area and a horizontal series of minute scratches between God in the reverse’s motto and the eagle’s head are the only blemishes worth mentioning. These are inconsequential when considering this coin’s overall splendor.

For the most part the fields on both sides are flawless in appearance, with only the paltriest grazes visible. The reverse displays some blonde-colored translucent haze to the left of the eagle’s upper left wing (near ED in UNITED) and around ES in STATES. These patches are barely visible unless the coin is tilted at the right angle.

Boldness of detail on all the highpoints defines this piece’s sharply struck features. Raised diecrack lines surround the upper portions of the reverse’s peripheral letters in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

For the person building a high-end set of GSA “CC” Morgan silver dollars this stunning specimen will provide an admirable example of the first-year-of-issue date.

*Each GSA silver dollar includes a genuine GSA Certificate of Authenticity and a black box.