This phrase refers to a specific type of United States silver coin struck at a particular mint location. The “Morgan silver dollar” designates the coin’s design, featuring Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse, minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921. The “Carson City” component denotes that the coin was produced at the United States Mint facility in Carson City, Nevada, active from 1870 to 1893. The “mint mark” is a small letter (in this case, “CC”) indicating the mint of origin, a critical identifier stamped onto each coin.
The significance of these specific silver dollars lies in their relative scarcity and historical association with the American West’s silver boom. The Carson City Mint had a lower production volume compared to other mints like Philadelphia or San Francisco. This lower mintage, coupled with factors such as melting or attrition over time, increases the value and desirability of these coins among collectors and numismatists. They represent a tangible piece of American history and the economic landscape of the late 19th century.