The 1891 Silver Dollar Value Guide

The Spitting Eagle is one of the most visually arresting Morgan dollar varieties ever documented. It originated when a die gouge formed on a Carson City reverse die, creating a raised metal blob that transferred to every coin struck from that die. The feature sits directly in front of the eagle's open beak, producing the unmistakable illusion that the bird is spitting — an image that has captivated collectors for decades.

To identify it, examine the reverse under a 10× loupe and look for a distinct raised lump positioned in the space directly in front of the eagle's beak. No natural design element occupies that area, so any raised protrusion there is diagnostic. Simultaneously, the CC mint mark should appear doubled and tilted slightly to the left compared to a normal 1891-CC example. A secondary die gouge near the eagle's foot by the arrowhead cluster is an additional confirmation marker.

Demand for this variety is driven by its combination of dramatic visual impact and Carson City provenance — already the scarcest 1891 issue by mintage at just 1,618,000 pieces. It carries a CONECA Top 100 Morgan VAM designation, meaning it sits among the 100 most sought-after die varieties in the entire Morgan dollar series. Greysheet values range from approximately $145 in worn grades to over $90,000 in the finest certified prooflike examples.

The 1891 Doubled Ear (VAM-2) and its close relative the Doubled Ear and Moustache (VAM-2A) are among the most diagnostically distinctive Philadelphia Mint varieties in the Morgan dollar series. Both originate from die movement during the hubbing process — the procedure by which a working die is produced from a master hub. When the die shifted between impressions, it left a secondary, offset image of Liberty's earlobe and the strands of hair immediately above it.

The doubling on VAM-2 is visible as a clearly separated secondary earlobe below the primary one, best seen under 7× to 10× magnification. VAM-2A adds a dramatic die break on Liberty's upper lip that forms a crescent-shaped protrusion resembling a moustache — making it arguably the most photogenic Morgan variety from any Philadelphia issue. A secondary die chip on Liberty's forehead, resembling a beauty mark, is another diagnostic feature noted in VAM-2A.

The "Moustache" designation gives VAM-2A significant collector recognition beyond typical die-variety enthusiasts, driving premiums even in circulated grades. Both varieties are listed as PCGS Top 100 Morgan VAMs, and certified examples command meaningful premiums. Greysheet lists VAM-2A from $145 to $1,550 in mint state, while uncirculated examples with a fully defined moustache are especially sought.

The 1891-O Clashed E (VAM-1A1) stands out as one of the most dramatically clashed obverse-reverse die pairs in the entire Morgan dollar series — a claim well-supported by the numismatic literature. The error occurred when the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them, a mishap known as a die clash. The force of this clash transferred portions of the obverse lettering onto the reverse die in raised relief, where they remained as permanent diagnostic features on every subsequent coin struck from those dies.

The most striking visible result is a bold, raised "E" from the word LIBERTY, now visible on the reverse below the eagle's tail feathers. To the left of this E, the edge of the "B" from LIBERTY can be traced, and to its right, the beginning of "T" is discernible. On the obverse side, look in the right wheat leaf in Liberty's hair for a clashed "O" from the reverse "O" mint mark, and below the "I" of PLURIBUS for a clashed "Do" transferred from "Dollar" on the reverse.

This variety is a CONECA Top 100 Morgan VAM and is considered highly valuable even in About Uncirculated grades because the clarity of the clashed letters — particularly the "E" — is a primary value driver. A strongly defined example in MS63 can bring $250–$600, while MS64–MS65 coins with sharp clash marks have realized $700–$1,500 at certified auction. Finding a deeply struck clash on a coin with original luster is the key combination that maximizes value.

The 1891-S Doubled Stars (VAM-3) is the signature variety for San Francisco production that year, and it rewards the patient collector who takes the time to examine the obverse stars carefully. Like the Philadelphia Doubled Ear varieties, it results from die movement during the hubbing process — but in this case the shift affected the stars on the left side of the obverse design rather than the portrait details. The near-date placement of the date (shifted closer to the left rim than on normal dies) is an additional positional diagnostic for this variety.

Identification centers on the six stars to the left of the date. Under 7× magnification or stronger, each star shows a visible secondary image offset slightly from the primary, with the doubling strongest on the two or three stars closest to the date. Liberty's eyelid also shows light doubling, appearing as a slight thickening or shelf along its lower edge. These obverse die markers are consistent across all known examples, making attribution relatively straightforward for an experienced VAM hunter with good lighting.

While the 1891-S VAM-3 doesn't command the same popular recognition as the Spitting Eagle or the Moustache variety, it is nonetheless a Top 100 Morgan VAM designation and a genuinely scarce certified variety. Greysheet lists it from $55 in worn grades to $6,750 in high mint state — a substantial premium over a regular 1891-S. The San Francisco Mint's generally superior strike quality relative to New Orleans means that higher-grade certified examples of this variety are more attainable than comparable O-mint varieties.