CC Morgans or Classic Proofs? I'm torn between two goals for new collections. Chime In!

PutTogether

Ok. I'm ready to start a totally new path for a small collection. Both should be difficult, but not impossible. Not cheap, but not outrageous either. Small and completeable, and hopefully something you don't see every day.

Ultimately, I've got to choose for myself, but I'd love to hear other's input on what to expect, what they'd think about the completed set, etc. Even wild guesses on future value are welcome, even though It isn't really a concern, because I don't see the market for either dropping by 80% overnight.

The choices:

Assemble a late 1800s proof set (no gold) I just don't see anything like this that often. I'd try to build a matched looking set of cent through dollar. I'd do the best I could to pick coins that looked like they might have been together since birth. I'd go post 1885, so I can skip buying a trade dollar. The Morgan will be pricey enough. Depending on how much I decide to spend, and what is available, I might go pre 1892 to go with seated coins instead of Barber. My preliminary plan is to pick a year that looks like I could reasonably acquire all the proof issues from that year without hitting a crazy 'stopper.' I'd whittle that down to group of years, and start shopping for coins from those years. When I find a stunner (dime quarter or half) that fits the look I'm going for, I'd buy that one, and then complete around it. I'd shoot for PR64-65, nice coins. CAM and DCAM not necessarily excluded, but definitely not necessary. I'd more go for that pretty old proof toning look.


Carson City Morgans in 40-50 This one is more self explanatory. I like the American west, and have fond memories of trips to Carson and Virginia City as a young kid with my Grandpa. I'd shoot for awesome looking circ coins, in that classic, original, steel gray 'circ/cam' look. I'd pay special attention to try and make all the coins look perfectly matched. I think the big challenge here will be finding really nice circulated 81,82,84 CC coins. Kind of a neat twist, the expensive coins won't be hard to find, but the cheap ones should prove a fun challenge.



I THINK the CC set will be easier, and probably a little less money to complete. It would be more satisfying in the sense that I won't have HUGE gaps of time between purchases, and should always be able to find something that fits. It would be cool to see it complete, but on the other hand, it might be unimpressive. I bet there are TONS of people with CC collections.

The proof set will probably be harder, and I'll have much longer spans of time without being able to make a purchase. Completed though, I think it would be a bit more impressive, because it would be the result of 'harder' work. It will also probably be a bit more expensive to complete. I think the CC set would be a bit more liquid if catastrophe struck, but that isn't THAT big of a deal. The fun of the proof set will be that I just never see them.

Anyway, I'm torn. I see pros/cons to both, and I just can't decide which would be the best way for me to go. I'm hoping by posting up, someone might have something to say I hadn't thought of, that can provide a sort of tipping point.....or new perspective.


Thanks for listening.......what do you think?


PS: Doing both isn't an option

Rampage

I'd go for the 1880 proof set. I like those as long as the originality is all there. You are correct, the CC Morgan dollars will be an easy set, but you can do those anyt ime.

questor54

The proofs would be my brief answer. Once you have that 'done' it can be a backbone for your next new direction, whatever that is.

Or, if you like the CC area, how about putting together a set of the denominations struck there rather than limiting yourself to dollars?

Congratulations on identifying two interesting goals.

291fifth

CC Morgans are popular but common as dirt. All you need is money.

llafoe

<< <i>The proofs would be my brief answer.

Or, if you like the CC area, how about putting together a set of the denominations struck there rather than limiting yourself to dollars? >>

TONEDDOLLARS

It is easier to find CC dollars in GEM unc. than 40-50. Most CC's were never in circulation so this just might be the harder of the two to do.

AUandAG

CC's, but what did you think I'd say?

Once you get the dollars completed then go for the halves and quarters and dimes. That's all there is
and it's not easy to do once you get past the dollars! Challenging at all times and exciting to find that
one and only one for your set.

Good luck,
bob

gsa1fan

CC dollars

questor54

CC double dime?

llafoe

Here's your CC Type Set:

Liberty Seated Dime
Twenty Cents
Liberty Seated Quarter
Liberty Seated Half Dollar
Liberty Seated Dollar
Trade Dollar
Morgan Dollar
Liberty Head $5 Gold
Liberty Head $10 Gold
Liberty Head $20 Gold

DorkGirl

The proof set. I love looking at Windycitys proof set....

MidLifeCrisis

I'd do the late 1800s proof set. If done right, they are very cool.

It seems like everybody has done or is doing a CC Morgan set. Even as challenging as a set in 40-50 might be, once completed, it will be just another CC Morgan set.

magikbilly

Hi,

Well, umm...Carson City Branch Mint Proof Morgans?

Really, I'd go for the Proof coins - 1880 or otherwise. Get some later stuff too! Barber...

Best,
Eric

Ahrensdad

I'd definately do the proofs. This will be a very cool and not typical. The CC Morgan collection has been "so done" before.

AnkurJ

I say go for the proof set!

metalmeister

I am partial to CC Dollars

TomB

I would simply attempt to buy truly cool coins instead of either plan. Putting together a "matched set" of proof coinage is easy to do if one wants coins that are dipped white. You don't want that and so a "matched set" might be more a dream than reality. Also, what date would you choose and would it have any significance to you personally or historically? The circulated set of Morgan dollars seems really pretty easy to do. Neither of the ideas sets me ablaze (thankfully) so I would do something else.

golfer72

Since money does not appear to be an issue why not do both?

RaginsteveK

19th century proof collection could be REALLY sharp !

MidLifeCrisis

Something to think about...

PutTogether

<< <i>Since money does not appear to be an issue why not do both? >>



Money is enough of an issue to make doing both impossible. At least at the same time. I suppose I could START both, and abandon one, but that would probably end in nothing more than wasted money.

speety

I'd go with the proof set. One of our local collecting buddies just put together an 1865 proof set that is gorgeous, and it was not that expensive for him to do (mostly PF63-PF65).

PutTogether

<< <i>Something to think about... >>



Pretty sure you just handled it for me.


I keep coming back to the idea that the completed proof set will just look cooler than the dollar set.