Starting CC Morgan Dollar set.

jphendren

Hello,

I have decided to revisit building a CC Morgan Dollar set, I started this set back in 1995. At that time I owned GSA 1881-1885 coins, all uncirculated of course. I also had an 1889 CC in VG 10 or so. Unfortunately, I sold them. So I am starting over. At that time I wanted to do the entire 13 coin series in uncirculated condition. But now realize that I don't have the financial means to pull that off. An 1889 CC costs as much as a new car. My question for you is, when building a set like this, do you purchase all coins in the same grade, or buy the coins in the best grade you can afford? I could given time buy the 1878, 1880-1885, 1890-1892 in uncirculated condition. But the 1879, 1889, and 1893 will all have to be circulated to fit my budget. Probably the best 1889 CC I could swing would be a F15-VF20 or so, that coin will run $1,000. So, would you do the entire set in F-VF condition? Or do each coin in the best grade you could afford?

Thanks,

Jared

DennisH

I would do the set in the best attractive, original, problem-free grades I could afford for each date. "Attractive, original and problem-free" are very important qualifiers here; there are a ton of messed-with and otherwise bargain coins out there that you should steer clear of. A bargain is not a bargain if the coin has a problem. Do not be tempted by cheap... hold out for wholesome.

Windycity

What Dennis said...

mustanggt

As much as I hate to agree with Dennis in a public forum, I do. There are plenty of CC's out there so take your time and purchase what really appeals to you.

joeykoins

The best grade that you can afford. Good choice in this fantastic,the best of the best,series. You've chosen wisely my son. No but seriously,If I were you,I would have all your collection ( maybe apart from the GSA's you have already ) encased in our host's slabs.I know this can be more of an expense but think of it, would you place your child in a cheap or not " secured" car seat? I don't think you would. You would want the best safe and trustworthy way!Even if it costs more money,right? Then,doing this would not only give you peace of mind,but add more value to your beauuutiful collection.Remember,these are your babies!

jayPem

After stating the obvious (your set, your rules...), I think it would be very cool to do a set matched around a low grade 89...
If one was to hold out for truly wholsome F or VF's, I bet this would be quite a challenge ! The 85 might end up being the stopper.

BillJones

This "matched condition set" idea is way overrated. Unless you have a fetish for every coin looking the same, which for many series is an invitation for getting stuck with a bunch of AT coins, it won't make any difference when it comes time to sell.

Furthermore look at it this way. If you can only afford an 1889-CC in VG, what are you going to do about the 1885-CC? That coin is hard to find in less than Mint State and if you find it, which might not be possible, you will pay almost as much for a VG as you will for an MS-63 because the coin is rare in VG.

Buy the best coin you can afford for each issue.

Elcontador

Just buy nice for the grade examples of the various dates. Be aware that CC $s in Unc. have more bag marks than those from other mints. The ugliest Unc. Morgans I've ever seen were 8 of the 12 GSA CC $s I received from the mint. I sold them to Superior Coin for what I paid for them because they were so ugly, that they hurt my eyes just to look at them.

They reminded me of the kid who was so ugly, that you had to put a pork chop around the kid's neck to get the family dog to play with him / her (yes, they were that bad).

AUandAG

JP, just have fun and keep some money handy for that special CC that just shows up unannounced.

I love all the Carsons, and have never had an MS 79 or 89 and never felt I had to have one in MS either.

Post some pics when you get up and running!

Love to see those double c's.

bob

messydesk

<< <i>What Dennis said... >>


Aye. This.

nags

I am currently collecting GSA dollars. I have the CC's, and am adding the non-cc. My thought in regard to a CC morgan set was to have a set of CC's in the GSAs (1878-1885 and 1890-91) and fill in the remaining few in MS slabs. Of course I'd love to have a crack at the one of a kind CC-GSA's, but that probably isn't likely to happen.

HoledandCreative

OR put together a holed, counterstamped, or an engraved set of them. Could be challenging.

Overdate

<< <i>OR put together a holed, counterstamped, or an engraved set of them. Could be challenging. >>


Holed sounds good - here's mine (currently residing on a keychain):

TwoSides2aCoin

BST your way with coins and you will always have them. Upgrade as you will. Degradation only comes from stagnation. Completion becomes the nemesis when your goals are too high, but you can end up with a heckuva collection, Jared. Just use your smarts cautiously.

BillJones

<< <i>Just buy nice for the grade examples of the various dates. Be aware that CC $s in Unc. have more bag marks than those from other mints. The ugliest Unc. Morgans I've ever seen were 8 of the 12 GSA CC $s I received from the mint. I sold them to Superior Coin for what I paid for them because they were so ugly, that they hurt my eyes just to look at them.

They reminded me of the kid who was so ugly, that you had to put a pork chop around the kid's neck to get the family dog to play with him / her (yes, they were that bad). >>



Also beware that the grading services have gone through periods where they over graded the CC dollars for this reason. Be picky. If an MS-63 and 64 looks like it has too many bag marks the grade, it probably does. You CAN buy CC dollars that graded at the same standards are run of mill common date dollars. You just have wait for them and pull the trigger at the right times.