Yet another pilgrimage to the coinshop - opinions on a new batch of Morgans if you would...

FC57Coins

Well, I went and got some more Morgans that I fell in love with - want you to see if you think if I'm getting better at picking out genuine toning or if I'm making an a$$ out of myself still. I took two sets of pictures of each coin - one under the bright Alabama sun, and one indoors under lots of light. - when I post pictures, they usually come out darker for some reason - has anyone had that problem? - Anyway, your opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Frank

FrankinWI

I really like the 1885. Really nice color!

Frank

a2labmom

I have to agree with FrankinWI. The 1885 is very nice, especially the pic of the indoor lighting. Very nice, indeed. The 1881S, I like the outdoor lighting pic, especially the reverse.

As for natural/genuine toning. no clue here. I am not a fan of toning, so I don't look at (unless they are nice pics posted here on the boards) or buy toned coins.

Thanks for sharing the nice pictures, Frank.

SarasotaFrank

small world.

I spent three hours in the coin shop this morning filling in blanks in my Morgan collection. I ended up buying 14 coins.

I have an 1878 7 over 8 tail feathers uncirculated condition waiting for me, if I opt to buy it for $150.00. A very nice coin. I am considering trading some gold for it and two GSA CC dollars.

WHich leads me to - does the GSA packaging/certification/authenticity (pick one!) justify the higher price?

any advice appreciated as always.

FC57Coins

Frank:

As far as I'm concerned the packaging merely tells where the coin came from - something of a conversation piece and to some extent authentication of the piece. As for grade, they can range from AU to MS67+, but most of the coins I've seen are in the 62-64 range. A lot of people like collecting the GSA slabs so there is a market for these particular "raw" coins.

Frank

coindaughter

I'm with them. The '85 is prettiest of the bunch.

As for photos, I've had luck taking photos outside with natural light but not direct sunlight. I take them in the shade. Good details and not much glare.

FC57Coins

Good Idea CD - this was my first time taking pictures outside - I guess I was going for the "get as much light as you can" theory

Frank

airplanenut

I say keep 'em inside... that way they look more gorgeous! Also, that way there is no chance that a squirrely will eat Miss Liberty.

darktone

Frank- nice coins I really like the toning. I have had the same problem with coin pictures appearing darker when I upload them to the internet.

SarasotaFrank- your going to trade some gold and two GSA CC dollars for the 1878 7 over 8 tail feathers? I would think the two GSA dollars would be worth a $150 with-out the gold? I have had no problem getting $80+ on ebay for common Unc. GSA cc's.

SarasotaFrank

darktone:

that would be some deal for the dealer!

I am thinking of trading some gold for a 7 over 8 feather PLUS two GSA dollars CC Mint dollars. The GSA's were 100 and 180 - about $430.00 list. I thinking a Kruggerand plus something else - perhaps a batch of Liberty halves to make up the balance.

Is the $150.00 a fair price for an Unc 7 over 8 tail feathers?

darktone

Numismedia lists it at $188 in ms63- sorry I must have misunderstood your other post as far as the trade goes. mike

Dog97

Frank those are really nice & pretty. The originality makes them monsters to me. The 78 has a weird blue color that looks like kraft envelope or maybe could be album tone. The 81 looks like bag tone. I wouldn't swear to the 78 but I'm sure PCGS would slab the 81 & 85. The 85 is clearly original bag toning with textile pattern. I see similiar models sell for around $200-$300 on eBay.

SarasotaFrank if you make that deal it sounds like you are getting the short end of the stick!
GSAs do have a prem.
There are several different models of the 8/7 TF with some worth quite a bit more than others. Some just show a little extra tailfeather and have a small prem while the most valuable ones show between 4 & 7 extra tail feather ends. Even a weak 63 is worth around $150 while a lesser grade is worth much less and a 64 is worth much more.
Depending on the variety & grade however the dealer might get the short end of the stick.

SarasotaFrank

dog:

thanks for the insight. I have to revisit the coin, and may want to get another opinion. They have it labeled as MS, and my own, while granted novice at best inspection, leads me to believe it would grade at least MS-63.

I am considering trading five 1884-O Morgans for it, these being MS-63, although I would certainly like to get by with four.

Your opinion, if the coin is MS-63 or better?

itsnotjustme

I like the 81-S

Dog97

SarasotaFrank if the 7/8 is the Strong TF & at least 63 then 5 63 84-O s are a fair trade but I like 4 better. Make sure it's a bull 63 because if you ever get it slabbed PCGS is very tight on 7/8 Morgans. If it's the Weak TF model 63 or less it only worth 2 or 3 85-Os.

michael

overall i like the 78s the best!

sincerely michael

Gilbert

Vam 32 (3 fea) is $400 in MS63 and Vam 43 is $200-250 and both are consider weak.

Vam 33 (3 - 5 fea) is $90 - 100 in MS63 and Vam 36 (4 fea) is $125 - 175 in MS63 and both are considered strong.

You cannot always go by the number of extra feathers. Big problem is mostly the Vam collectors will sell based on attribution. The price guides are higher for strong and usually don't list weak. THEY are out of line with the 7/8 or doubled tailfeathers.

If you are going to collect the 7/8, you may want to bone up on the various attributions and buy them accordingly. Sometime you CAN get a rarer coin using the "strong v weak" price guides, but more often than not, you will overpay. By the way, non Vam collectors will argue this point to death, but you only need to check the rarity factor(s) for the different attributions.

Dog97

Gilbert what's the price like for vams 36-40? That's my favorite ones.
I guess 43 has a big prem because you're buying extra legs to go with the extra feathers but why is 32 so expensive?