A tale of two old coins (and how they performed recently at auction)
U1chicago
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It is interesting to me when I run across coins that I have previously owned. Recently two such examples showed up at GC auctions. Both were toned Morgans.
First up is this obverse toned rattler. Here is what I said when I had it in my duds of 2024 thread:
"It came from Legend Auctions and I certainly had to pay up. I bought into the rattler hype and the photo. In hand, this was a solid coin but with the price I had paid, it was a bit of a let down. It took a while to sell but I was able to get out of it with about an $80 loss. "
The final result was $675-which I think is in the right range. This was lower than I paid originally and lower than what I got when selling it for a loss.
The other coin is a reverse toner with some solid rainbow colors. I reluctantly let this go in 2019 (not sure what I was thinking besides some notion that prices would be going down). It sold for about twice my price (from 2019), bringing an impressive $826.88 at GC.
https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1779655/1881-S-Morgan-Silver-Dollar-PCGS-MS-64-Toned
Comments
Love the toning!
God comes first in everything I do. I’m dedicated to serving Him with my whole life. Coin collecting is just a hobby—but even in that, I seek to honor Him. ✝️
Love the MS64+, not so much on the MS63.
peacockcoins
Don’t like the color on the 64+, looks suspicious.
Gobrecht's Engraved Mature Head Large Cent Model
https://www.instagram.com/rexrarities/?hl=en
I don’t care for spot above the eagle’s head on the MS-63.
The 64+ was definitely the better of the two coins. I was over enthusiastic about the rattler aspect and Legend’s description on the 63. There was a lesson learned and tuition paid with that one.
I've always been curious when a large, national coin firm gives a flowery description of a coin- such as the MS63 Morgan, if they believe their own hype or if they are puffing the coin(s) for a larger price.
peacockcoins
I realized that to a certain degree, all of the Legend coins had flowery descriptions. So I think it is more puffing than reality (which can be problematic when an actual coin worth hyping gets overlooked based on people thinking it’s the standard overhype).
I do not like the splotchiness of the 63.
I do like the reverse rainbow, looks solid and NT.
The reverse is definitely market acceptable and I would think the majority of toner people would say NT. It’s certainly the better of the pair in terms of eye appeal.
It's funny to see the range of responses in the thread. I like the MS63 rattler coin, but don't really like the MS64+ coin, but that is simply my opinion based upon the images.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
It looks like just one person so far was against the 64+ so you are the second. Some people don't like toning and so those opinions are taken with a grain of salt when it comes to these threads. I think the rattler Morgan was a fine coin but the spot on the reverse is a downside and my original price paid for it jaded me against it somewhat. If it was an inexpensive pickup, I still would not have liked it more than the 64+ but I would be less likely to think of it as a "dud" (many a coin can look "better" at the "right" price).