Morgan in GSA holder - do you trust them ?
Gristlebeard
Posts: 35
I looked at a few auctions on Ebay for the Carson City Morgan Dollar. What I want to know is how good are the slabs that these are in ? Can they be tampered with ? Would you rather buy the same thing that's in a PCGS holder ? I was thinking of getting one of these and was wondering about their popularity. I heard some people prefer them in these slabs. Anyone out there just collecting these ?
Here's a random sample :
Ebay 1882-CC
Thanks for your input
G
Here's a random sample :
Ebay 1882-CC
Thanks for your input
G
0
Comments
dragon
That being said, I figure most of the really gem GSA dollars did get cracked out so that they could be graded. Most of the GSAs I see are probably in the 62-63 range.
Cheers
G
I think new bidders on ebay drive the prices of the GSA holders a little to high. I watched a 82 GSA sell for $260.00, and it was only a 63....Love to be that seller
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Also, if GSAGUY can't help you I have some other leads...
You've asked a very valid question....one that's not addressed often enough in my opinion.
As a specialist in GSA coins, I've looked at tens of thousands of GSA dollars in the past 20 years or so. And through all those years, I've encountered no more than handfull of cases that had been tampered with. And to me, these were very easy to spot as the edges were ragged, the plastic was full of stress cracks, and even the glue used to reseal it was evident inside.
The GSA cases were 'sonically sealed' back in the early 1970's as the General Services Administration prepared them for sale. As I understand the technology, the device basically melds the top and bottom half of the case.....speeds up the molecules and sort of melts it, I guess.
I've not been one to crack out Morgans from their GSA cases, but from what I understand, the plastic pretty well shatters as the case is pryed apart. Having said that, when there's enough profit motive in removing a coin and replacing it with another, someone will try it.
But as Dragon said, for coins in the price range you're describing, the effort wouldn't be worth the return.
When inquiring about GSA coins for sale on ebay, I always ask the seller if the GSA case is in good condition...not because I'm worried about tampering, but because cracks and dings in the case are distracting and can actually make the item harder to sell.
Hope this helps.
GSAGUY
I completely agree with this statement. There is just something unique and precious surrounding these dollars, and to break them out of their cases destroys that history. I am a bit of a history buff myself so you must forgive the romantic side of me. On the other hand, I also like certified coins, it gives me a bit of a warm and fuzzy feeling. (Assuming of course that the grade is accurate, etc. I know, different thread.
And with the idea of certification, I think that NGC's idea of 'certifying' GSA dollars is a happy medium. What do you think?
I, for one, am all for the NGC program. Other than a slight concern that their new grading tag might damage the GSA plastic over the long term, I can't find anything to fault the program. Hopefully, NGC's GSA program will continue to slow the GSA crackout game.
GSAGUY
P.S. For me, one word best describes the allure of GSA dollars............provenance.
Thanks for the info on the GSA Slabs. I've been wondering about that myself.
In a PCGS holder it's just another Morgan. (yawn)