On Sun, Nov 16th, GreatCollections Coin Auctions is set to offer one of our favorite Morgan Dollars in its Original GSA Holder …
Overview & Description
The 1885-CC Morgan Dollar is a standout in the iconic Morgan Dollar series, revered not only for its historic Carson City mintmark but also for its exceptionally low mintage of just 228,000 coins, the second-lowest of the entire series. This particular example, certified MS-67 by NGC and housed in its original GSA holder, represents the pinnacle of condition, rarity, and provenance, making it one of the most desirable Morgan dollars.
Encased in the original black “General Services Administration” (GSA) hard plastic holder, this coin’s exceptional state of preservation speaks to its long-forgotten storage in U.S. Treasury vaults, untouched for decades after minting.
Historical Background
The 1885-CC Morgan Dollar was minted during the waning days of the Carson City Mint, a facility that had become symbolic of the Old West and America’s silver mining boom. Struck solely for political and economic reasons under the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, these silver dollars were produced in vast quantities—many of which were never released into circulation.
What makes the 1885-CC so special is that virtually none entered general circulation at the time. Instead, the vast majority were sealed in bags and stored in government vaults. For decades, their whereabouts were a mystery. Numismatic circles speculated about their survival rate and condition, with many assuming most had been melted under the Pittman Act of 1918.
Then came the GSA Hoard discovery in the 1970s.
As part of a public sale, the U.S. Treasury released over 2.8 million Carson City Morgan dollars that had been sitting in sealed canvas bags—some since the late 19th century. Among them were an astonishing over 85% of the original 1885-CC mintage, making it both rare in absolute terms, but remarkably available in Mint State.
The GSA Holder and Modern Appeal
GSA holdered coins have developed a near-cult following. Originally dismissed by collectors who cracked them out for reholdering, the original GSA packaging is now considered an essential part of the coin’s story and value. Coins like this 1885-CC in a GSA holder graded MS-67 by NGC are prized because they maintain that historical bridge between the Old West minting era and the modern numismatic hobby.
At MS-67, this example stands at the top end of the population, with only a tiny fraction achieving such superb gem status. The coin boasts exceptional luster, sharp strike, and nearly flawless surfaces with slight toning, attributes usually not seen in GSA-surviving specimens. These characteristics make it not just a Carson City prize, but a showpiece in any advanced Morgan or GSA-focused collection.
From Frontier Silver to Collecting Legend; This Sale…..
The journey of this coin is pure Americana: made of Nevada silver, minted in a frontier town, sealed and forgotten for nearly a century, and finally rediscovered as part of a national treasure, this coin was part of the P. Hall Collection of Important GSA Morgan Dollars and is being sold by GreatCollections on Sun, Nov 16, 2025 at 5:40:02 PM (Pacific Time) GC Item ID 1705931
The post Greatcollections to sell 1885-CC Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard NGC MS-67 on November 16th appeared first on CoinWeek: Rare Coin, Currency, and Bullion News for Collectors.
