9667

1893-CC $1 NGC MS63

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 6,500.00 USD
1893-CC $1 NGC MS63
Carson City silver dollars are noted for their extreme “frostiness.” This lovely choice MS63 example is a case in point: full mint frost, only scattered grazes in the left obverse field and a few bagmarks on the face, well struck by most measures.

Obvious to many collectors is the greater whiteness of the Morgan design parts compared to the Peace design. A frostiness or whiteness of the devices gives more contrast between the design and fields of a coin. To just about everyone this has more eye appeal and is more desirable. This frostiness, oddly enough, is due to roughness in the surface of the design. Extensive engraving work on the master die of the Morgan dollar left the design in the master die with certain roughness. In addition, the lettering was punched into the master die which left a virgin roughness on the tops of the letters.

In contrast, the design of the Peace dollars of 1921-34 was not reengraved or extensively touched-up on the master die to sharpen details (although the design was reduced in relief and minor changes added in 1922). The lettering was incorporated in the plaster model and did not have the surface roughness on the master die that was characteristic of the Morgan master. Although some early strike Peace dollars do exhibit some frostiness in the Liberty head hair and on the eagle’s feathers, it is nowhere near as white as on some Carson City mint Morgan dollar devices such as seen on the present 1893-CC. This is because of the additional amounts of engraving work and the punching of inscription lettering and stars on the Morgan master die.