Rare dollar coin sells for $10,400 online - the key date and 'XF' detail to look for to spot it in y

January 31, 2024

A RARE silver dollar from the 19th century has sold for over $10,000 despite showing obvious signs of wear and tear.

It comes from eBay user Drivit442, who auctioned an 1893-S (San Francisco) Morgan silver dollar.

It wound up going for a total of $10,400 in early January.

And while many of the most valuable coins are either in great condition or have an interesting error, this coin has neither of those attributes.

Instead, it's the key date of the coin that makes it worth so much.

MORGAN SILVER DOLLARS

The US Mint first produced Morgan silver dollars between 1878 and 1904.

As it is so rare, fakes have been a problem – so you'll want to look out for those.

"Note that there are many counterfeits, usually made by adding an "S" to a 1893 Philadelphia. So authentication is highly recommended," said Hall.

The 1893-S Morgan dollar that sold was rated in XF40 grade by PCGS.

Coin grades can go up to 70, so it's in roughly middle-tier condition.

"All design elements still show but high points now worn flat. Little to luster remains," reads a PCGS description of XF40 coins.

While this may seem unimpressive, the age and rareness of the Morgan 1893-S make any signs of remaining quality very valuable.

In average condition, the coin is worth $4,513 – but it could even go up to $662,421 in higher grades, according to USA Coin Book.

Meanwhile, some dollar coins from the 19th century could be favorites in the coin community.

For example, an error Kennedy Dollar from 1964 recently sold for over $2,300.

The reason? It was missing the two tiny letters of "FG," which are normally right below John F Kennedy's face.

Also, a Susan B. Anthony dollar that was mistakenly struck on a Sacagawea planchet sold for over $16,000.