Collecting / Investing advice on potential purchase

jmcu12

Hello all!

I need your help. I am thinking about buying one of the three coins listed below but I would like some thoughts on which one to go with. I am trading in some underperforming Morgans and would be upgrading to one of these Morgan dollars.

1. 1879 CC – PCGS AU53 $2000 (Nice AU solid for the grade)
2. 1893 CC – PCGS AU55 $2400 (Has nice PL qualities but not noted on the holder; again, solid grading)
3. 1895 O – PCGS AU53 $1500 (Nice 53 could go 55 but has a soft strike so this may be what kept it from a 55)

These are listed in no particular order but I am leaning towards one over another. I wont say which right now, at least not until I make the final decision.

Thanks for any advice you might have!

sorry no pictures, they are at a local shop so I dont have access right now.

RYK

I know nearly nothing about Morgans and nearly nothing about investing in coins (some would argue less than nothing ), but from a general numismatic standpoint, I would favor the 95-O over the others, assuming the coins are of equal quality for the grade.

PrivateCoinCollector

You sound like an investor and not really a collector. Therefore I am not sure if I were you i would be contemplating any of these coins. However, if I had to pick from these three? The 93-CC, nothing to think about. Rule of buying. Buy the rarest, highest graded coin you can afford.

jmcu12

I dont consider myself an investor, but I also dont like losing money on a coin so I am trying to be smarter in my decision making.

DeusExMachina

<< <i>Hello all!

I am trading in some underperforming Morgans >>




To me, this statement sounds like one an investor would make. When you say "underperform", do you have expectations for where those coins should price in the future (just curious)?

If I were to invest in coins, I would think about what type of coins collectors will want to buy in the next say 2-5 years (if that's your time horizon). Toners seem to be hot but might not be in the future. Older holders tend to excite buyers. Buy tough dates or rare(r) date/mint marks, etc. I don't invest in coins so please take my advice with a grain of salt.

the4x4man

If your investing in coins, go for grades of 64 and up. They have the best potential.
The4x4man

RYK

<< <i>

<< <i>Hello all!

I am trading in some underperforming Morgans >>




To me, this statement sounds like one an investor would make. When you say "underperform", do you have expectations for where those coins should price in the future (just curious)?

If I were to invest in coins, I would think about what type of coins collectors will want to buy in the next say 2-5 years (if that's your time horizon). Toners seem to be hot but might not be in the future. Older holders tend to excite buyers. Buy tough dates or rare(r) date/mint marks, etc. I don't invest in coins so please take my advice with a grain of salt. >>



At the 2004 ANA, I went to a lecture given by Greg Rohan on collecting/investing in coins. One of the things that he said, which I remember best, is that coins are non-performing assets. I try to keep that perspective when considering my collecting goals, in the context of my overall financial picture.

numisma

The 1895-O is the best deal in that group. They are almost always weakly struck so don't let that bother you. The 95-O is a sleeper in high grades (but fairly common in low grade). After you cross into the MS range, this coin becomes rare. For that reason, attractive AU's (especially PCGS certified) will increase in value at a faster rate than other dates. Second pick is the 79-CC.

NowhereMan

I can get my Morgans to "perform" but I have to drink a lot a lot of wine first and then watch closely!

Her singing is nice, but the dancing needs work!



Rex

AnkurJ

I would go for the 1893cc. 1893 Morgans are always in demand. The 1895's im not a big fan of.

AJ

basestealer

1) 1895 O
2) 1893 CC

jmcu12

<< <i>To me, this statement sounds like one an investor would make. When you say "underperform", do you have expectations for where those coins should price in the future (just curious)? >>




They are underperforming at this point in time; you are correct that they could do better/worse in the future. In general I dont have a timeline of when I plan to sell; it just so happens that I have the opportunity to buy one of these three coins but to do that (without any additional funds out of pocket) I have to trade in existing coins.


Thanks for the opinions everyone, my decision has become harder and easier; if that makes any sense.

roadrunner

I think all of those coins have benefited quite well over the past few years via demand and promotions. The 1895-0 in grades from VF-AU has been heavily pushed imo. I seem to trip over them now at every show.

Personally, I think there are better Morgan values out there that will perform better over time. Morgans have been weak for quite some time (except CC's, pop tops and DMPL's) as other areas have stolen a lot of thunder from this once popular series. But the good thing is that things once out of favor, tend to come back.

The 79-cc is a key date that likely won't lose any value. But I also don't think it will advance much more from here. If you do buy a piece make sure it's special, even for an AU grade, whether it be the eye appeal, strike, variety, color, etc. 80-90% of everything out there is typical for the date/grade. You want the top 10-20% coin.

roadrunner

numisma

This is not just about a certain date/mm combo; this is about a particular issue in a certain grade (AU). The 95-O is tough in AU but actually scarce to rare in Unc. The 79-CC and 93-CC are both available in Unc and the current prices are artificially high. This is a fact easily proven.