Morgan MS versus Morgan Proofs

pqgold

I just noticed that there are 165 Morgan basic MS sets registered in the PCGS Registry. The sets consist of 97 coins. In the Morgan basic Proof category, there are only 4 sets registered, and of those four, three sets are comprised of only ONE COIN. The Proof Morgan set consists of just 27 coins. Why such a disparity between the MS and Proofs ? I think we can eliminate overall cost of a high grade set, as the MS set would be far more expensive. Any thoughts for this wide discrepancy between Proofs and MS ??

numonebuyer

In the PCGS Registry there are 97 coins in the Morgan Dollars Basic Set, Circulation Strikes, and there are 27 coins in the Morgan Dollars Proof Set.

If your question has to do with the difference between 97 and 27 coins, that is explained by the fact that only Proof Morgans were made in Philadelphia in the years from 1878 to 1904. No other mint was used for Proof Morgans.

If you question has to do with why so few registry sets exist for Proof Morgans, that is explained by the few numbers of Proof Morgans that were minted each year.

This Link will show you the mintages of each Business Strike per mint per year and the mintages of each Proof Strike per year.

I hope this helps.

Numonebuyer

Wolf359

The 1895 Proof Morgan is probably impossible to get under $25,000 or so. For 1921, the Chapman proofs...only 10 were documented although 40 (not counting duplicates) have been slabbed. Zerbes in 1921 are more available (couple hundred) but are distained by purists as not being true proofs (ok purists, please send me one).

Then how about the Branch Mint Proofs? If we include those, add the 1879-O, the 1883-CC and 1893-CC. Also 3 are reported made in 1884-CC. Wayne Miller claims at least one in 1887-O (although NGC and others have refused to certify it). There's also a 1921-S proof, about 4-5 known. Add 3 types with 5 different die varities in 1878 the first year; 8TF (3 different dies), 1878 Rev 78 and 1879 Rev 79 (impossible to get).

So it's an interesting but probably futile quest for even the experienced collector.

numonebuyer

Wolf359

The count of 27 he referenced indicated to me that he was looking at the PCGS Registry Morgan Proof set, which does not include the few Proof Morgans that were minted in 1921 or at mint sites other than Philadelphia.

While it certainly would be difficult to ever have a complete PCGS Registry Morgan Proof set, if you have the money and are willing to part with a lot of it, it can be done.

Numonebuyer

jbsteven

I had (have) a proof that is listed and I figure the people who have sets of proof Morgans just don't have the time.

Wolf359

numonebuyer: No worries. Guess I was just in the mood to spout this morning

billiardmaster

Wolf,
Many years ago at the St. Louis silver dollar show I saw a 1895-O mint dollar that
Was a proof. No doubt about it. Tried to get Rob Kolesar to buy it, but they wanted
$110,000 for it. They had no idea it was a proof. Seems I heard later that it
was recognized as a proof by somebody, but it was some time ago. At any rate, you
can add 95-0 to the branch mint proofs that exist.
Rusty