Which Morgan?

ledzep87

There is a coin show in my area next weekend and I was hoping that I could find some decent Morgan dollars-so far, I have none. My question is what should I look for or is there anything that I should be aware of when looking at these dollars? Thank you!

Steve27

Based on what you said, you should be looking for a good book on Morgans.

jmj3esq

Here is an excellent book about Morgan Dollars:

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CalGold

Find a used copy of Wayne Miller's Morgan and Peace Dollar book. Read it first. Buy the coins later, when you understand what you are buying. And remember, the common dates will always be common.


CG

Shamika

Go enjoy the coin show and look at some Morgans, but hold off any purchases until you've learned more about the series. As others have mentioned, a book should be your first purchase. It will pay for itself almost immediately after you buy your first coin.

paigowjohnny

<< <i>Find a used copy of Wayne Miller's Morgan and Peace Dollar book >>



That's a tough one to find...I finally got one off eBay a while back...

numonebuyer

If you want to learn the hard way, go ahead and buy a whole bunch of raw Morgans, or better yet, buy some certified by NTC, PCI, ICG, ANACS and NGC.

Do yourself a favor and take the time and read a couple of books. Look at my website. It should help.

Steve27

If you don't have a book, try this site LINK

paigowjohnny

Stay away from the "usual suspects" in the weekly coin rags as well...

Myqqy

better yet, buy some certified by NTC, PCI, ICG, ANACS and NGC.

Say what? Buying anacs morgans and ngc morgans is like buying ntc morgans?

drsvenghali

I vote for this one.

paigowjohnny

<< <i>buy some certified by NTC, PCI, ICG, ANACS and NGC. >>



And a big ol' Costco box of Kool Aid

Myqqy

I always thought morgan fairchild was really hot, and she never seemed to age..... her hair intimidates me a little, but I would man-up anyway....

billboat

I agree with everyone who has recommended you do some research first. But, if you're like me, you probably want to have a Morgan to take home with you--so I would suggest a PCGS, NGC or ANACS 1881-S in MS64 (generally gorgeous, well-struck coins and readily available). You should be able to find a nice one in the $50 to $60 range. IMO it's a safe purchase and a coin you can enjoy.

morgannut2

<< <i>There is a coin show in my area next weekend and I was hoping that I could find some decent Morgan dollars-so far, I have none. My question is what should I look for or is there anything that I should be aware of when looking at these dollars? Thank you! >>



IF you just want one coin, I'd look at the PCGS Buy/Sell boards here-- As a rule the people knew what they are buying and are willing to sell duplicates at cost. There are millions of 1880S, 1881S, 18830-85O $1's that can be found in gem (MS-65 or better) and at low prices... A cheap book is the redbook on Morgan/Peace Dollars BY Q. David Bowers available at ANRcoins.com.

Myqqy

I agree with everyone who has recommended you do some research first. But, if you're like me, you probably want to have a Morgan to take home with you--so I would suggest a PCGS, NGC or ANACS 1881-S in MS64 (generally gorgeous, well-struck coins and readily available). You should be able to find a nice one in the $50 to $60 range. IMO it's a safe purchase and a coin you can enjoy.

That's a pretty cool idea- I love the early san francisco issues for their flash and quality, and have happily ended up with some duplicates because I love their eye appeal....

ledzep87

Thanks for the info...I ordered a Morgan book from my local bookstore!

messydesk

Be aware that if you have 1880-S, 1889, 1891-O and 1921-D, all in MS64, they'll look nothing alike. Wayne Miller's book explains this concisely. Dunno if Bowers' does. Keep an eye our for Miller's book, even if you have another. It's pre-slab, so it doesn't talk about how to bluster about, saying, "I MADE this coin blah blah blah," doesn't have crack-out game tip sheets, and doesn't split hairs with grades. Kind of refreshing, actually. If you can find a more experienced Morgan dollar collector who'll give you some lessons at the show, that would be even better.

billboat

Wayne Miller's book is not that easy to find--got one but took me a while--also a tad dated IMO.

numonebuyer

<< <i>better yet, buy some certified by NTC, PCI, ICG, ANACS and NGC.

Say what? Buying anacs morgans and ngc morgans is like buying ntc morgans? >>



Perhaps the sarcasm was a bit too subtle?

numonebuyer

Link to The Morgan and Peace Dollar Textbook by Wayne Miller at www.abebooks.com

BAJJERFAN

You could take a peek at smoe a the sets over ta da registry dere. Some o dem has some neat and cool coins!!

BAJJERFAN

If you have seen anything here in the Registry, the BS & T board or this forum that really trips your trigger you might want to look for something similar at the show.

coindeuce

Buy the book before you buy the coin. Ditto on the recommend for Wayne Miller's Morgan and Peace Dollar Textbook. If you find a copy ( I like it so much I have multiple copies) note that Wayne surreptitiously omitted any indication of a publish date. That's because his writing on the subject was exactly that...subjective and timeless. AND BTW, do yourself a big favor. Join a local coin club and meet other collectors. They be glad to share their knowledge and experience, let alone their coins.

Oldnewbie

<< <i>Perhaps the sarcasm was a bit too subtle?

>>



This is a new collector asking for help. Perhaps there shouldn't be any sarcasm at this time. It could be a bit confusing.

numonebuyer

Allow me to clarify... After years of getting ripped off by buying raw Morgans, I graduated to buying certified Morgans. Then, after more years of getting ripped off by buying various certified (PCI, NTC, ICG, ANACS and NGC) Morgans, I graduated to buying only PCGS Morgans. It is what I recommend.

Coxe

Don't just go out and buy PCGS Morgans, despite the rationale for doing so. EVERY grading service, even the best, is variable in their grading of thousands upon thousands of coins. (I try to impress this on the PR70 collectors, though many seem to think that I am bashing Moderns.) There are low-end and high-end coins in each grade for nearly all or all issues. Like with any series, make sure you can grade on your own and not depend on the tags. Buying the book, as was initially advised and reinforced, is definitely the best all around advice. Each date and mintmark has its own idiosynchrasies to mind. Wayne Miller's book is an excellent source to go by, though its descriptive brevity on each date is its chief limitation. Look at as many coins as you can. If you can go to the show on a Thursday, before the weekend crowd shows up and dealers are busy, that is easier.

That all said, my specific suggestions are to identify pivotal grades. This is often, for so many dates, MS64 -- especially for prooflikes. The pivotal grade is the one that realizes a huge relative gain on a one point upgrade. The if you know about a date and what is extraordinary for it, you can find perhaps not the upgrade candidate but the PQ coin for the grade. 90% of the material on a show bourse for sale is average or less for the tagged grade. That is a simple reality. The discriminating buyer will look for that elusive 10% and then try to get the better side of the deal on it.

I am partial to prooflikes, particularly DMPLs, which I believe are still relatively undervalued to their satin peers. PL or normal MS, I'd stay away from the cmmon stuff that you can buy anywhere at anytime: 80-S, 81-S, 82-CC , 83-CC, 84-CC, 85, 86, 87, ... If you realy want to have fun without learning about 102 dates all at once, maybe just learn about clashed dies. They are fascinating and getting very hot very fast. It is still early enough to get in and cherrypick rarities. Some clashes are undoubtedly out there yet to be discovered. Mark Kimpton's book is a good start bt I don't think it is generally available easily right now from what I have heard. The VAM Update at ashmore.com relates a lot of them, many not in Mark's book but still desirable. It may be overly technical to start with though. I would avoid those beautiful toned dollars. I like them and a lot of others do too, but I believe their valuations are due to correct significantly very soon.

Good luck and have fun!