The toughest coin to find - Lafayette Dollar in MS62-3

jamesfsm · February 12, 2003 12:46PM

I've been looking for a few years for a sharp Lafayette Dollar in undipped Ms62-63. Quite a challenge. Any ideas why?

BillJones · February 12, 2003 1:50PM

The Lafayette Dollar is scarce in undipped MS-62 and 63 for a couple of reasons.

First the coin was issued in 1900 before coin collectors really go hooked on the commemorative coin series. As a result a lot of Lafayette coins were owned by non collectors who did not know how to preserve them and may not have cared that much. A lot of pieces got rubbed or damaged, and are now not in mint condition.

Second, it is my understading that the Lafayette dollars were issued in an evelope that contained a lot of sulfur. The coins that were left in those evelopes turned a dark charcoal gray that cannot be dipped off easily. Many of the surviving coins have either been harshly cleaned, or they are dark unattractive dark color.

As a dealer I go to a number of national shows, and as a collector I was on the look out for the type of coin that you want because that was what fit my budget. Since 1995 I have handled two of them. The first one I lost my nerve because I did not think that I could afford to keep it at the time and sold it to my regret. I purchased the second, a PCGS MS-63, one at the 2001 FUN show and poped it into my collection.

If you would like to leave me a want list, I could look for another one for you. I tell you though, don't expect to buy one of these for bid. I paid more than that in a dealer to dealer transaction, and my standard mark-up is 10%. If that works for you, send me a PM.

I've attached a picture of my coin for your review.

Shocker · February 12, 2003 1:55PM

Bill, that's a truly beautiful coin.

Bear · February 12, 2003 2:29PM

Bill, that coin is beautiful.Wow, it sure looks like a higher grade to me.

darktone · February 12, 2003 8:52PM

I got this raw on ebay last year for about $230 ( sorry to all that asked where I got it earlier but I had to hide my source in case he had more and I had to throw everyone off track

). It came wrapped up in an old stamp book page. From the auction pictures it was hard to tell it was a Lafayette dollar but the seller offered a return so I took a chance on it. It's in an ANACS 63 holder now but I am going to send it to NGC one of these days and I still think it has a very good shot at 64 and in my opinion is a 64 after looking at everyone of these I could find in the last year. mike

reverse lafayette

obverse lafayette

pmh1nic · February 12, 2003 9:21PM

BillJones and Darktone

Both are beautiful coins.

BillJones · February 12, 2003 9:27PM

My Lafayette may not be as great as it looks. It has one scratch under the horse that probably took it down 1 grading point. Still that's what you should expect from an MS-63, and of course that one grading point knocked $1,000 off the price.

ANACONDA · February 12, 2003 9:32PM

I have one in PCGS MS 63 with incredible blue and blue green toning. Lookin' for somethin' like that? Not cheap. Wasn't cheap to me.

I sold one in 65 a few years ago with the same kind of toning. Listed it on eBay and it sold in like one day.

I also have a white one in PCGS MS 64.

adrian

Higashiyama · February 12, 2003 10:00PM

Adrian -- could you post a picture of the MS63 Lafayette? Is the toning an attractive version of the charcoal color that BillJones describes?

braddick · February 12, 2003 11:03PM

<< <i>Adrian -- could you post a picture of the MS63 Lafayette? Is the toning an attractive version of the charcoal color that BillJones describes? >>

Here's one JUST LIKE Adrian's,"charcoal" color and all- only 57 points lower. . .

ANACONDA · February 13, 2003 12:02AM

I'll post images of both coins later today. Gotta take the car in for repairs.

adrian

ANACONDA · February 13, 2003 10:31AM

Here's the 64. Images on the 63 are turning out to be somewhat challenging. I have a new Octagonal Pan Pac in PCGS MS 65 that i probably should list before i work on the Lafayette 63....but we'll see.

adrian

ANACONDA · February 13, 2003 11:17AM

Here's the 63:

jamesfsm · February 13, 2003 11:57AM

The Anaconda MS63 is a WOW coin. Could you PM me with the specifics such as price, etc....? The Bill Jones coin is also lovely. Yes, that's the sort of thing I'm looking for.

jamesfsm · February 13, 2003 12:07PM

Just opened up Darktone's Lafayette. Now, why can't I have eBay luck like that???

Higashiyama · February 13, 2003 11:05PM

Thanks. Both nice, but the 63 is really cool. (I assume the luster on the 64 is not as flat as in the scan)

ANACONDA · February 13, 2003 11:15PM

The luster on the 63 is better than on the 64.

adrian

scher · February 14, 2003 2:15AM

cool lookin coin
bruce scher

pmh1nic · February 14, 2003 2:55AM

jamesfsm

Have you tried Whitlow? He ususally has a nice selection of Commemoratives.

The toughest coin to find - Lafayette Dollar in MS62-3

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