Surprising auction result at Great Collections
Was anyone else following this auction at GC this past Sunday?
I figured that the combo of rattler, CAC, and nice color would bring a significant premium but I was still surprised to see a final price of $7,312.50 (which includes the fee). I was expecting something closer to $3k. Did anyone see this coin in hand or expect such a result?



Comments
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“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #2425 -
I’ll never get it, i rather have a dozen rolls for that money
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Nothing surprises me anymore in this hobby.
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And the fingerprint(s) were thrown in for free!
Having fun while switching things up and focusing on a next level PCGS slabbed 1950+ type set, while still looking for great examples for the 7070.
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Awesome for you!
I really like the greens and the normal 1881-s luster!I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
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The value of a MS64 1881-S is listed at $125. How much will this sale of this date affect PCGS coin values? Personally, I don't think it should be used to adjust prices at all. They need to come up with an added entry/another catagory in their price guide, basically for toned coins or the rattlers. And......not trying to change the subject but might make for a new discussion....if we were ever to get an answer.
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection
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@leothelyon said:
The value of a MS64 1881-S is listed at $125. How much will this sale of this date affect PCGS coin values? Personally, I don't think it should be used to adjust prices at all. They need to come up with an added entry/another catagory in their price guide, basically for toned coins or the rattlers. And......not trying to change the subject but might make for a new discussion....if we were ever to get an answer.Leo
I don't think it will impact the value at all. The 1881-S is a date that trades often and the majority of those sales are close to guide. A few outliers can easily be absorbed without skewing the guide (and it's possible these results are not counted at all when determining that guide value).
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@Jacques_Loungecoque said:
And the fingerprint(s) were thrown in for free!It is a pretty coin and "fingerprints" are minimal (not objectionable to me).
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I like everything about it other than the ridiculously inflated price. The buyer will be married to that Lady for a long long time
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I don’t even find it that attractive, but then again, I’m not a “toner” collector.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?6 -
In the early years of PCGS, were the graders at PCGS as sophisticated at determining if a coin was ATed or not as they are now? If that coin was submitted raw today to PCGS, it wouldn't surprise me if that coin got a "questionable toning" body bag.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire8 -
@U1chicago said:
Was anyone else following this auction at GC this past Sunday?
I figured that the combo of rattler, CAC, and nice color would bring a significant premium but I was still surprised to see a final price of $7,312.50 (which includes the fee). I was expecting something closer to $3k. Did anyone see this coin in hand or expect such a result?


Congrats to the seller and to the underbidder.
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Before I opened the thread I figured we’d see:
1) two people really wanted it
2) a fool and his money…
3) the buyer is buried
4) congrats to the underbidder
5) supply and demandA few hits so far!
I was watching that coin. I thought it had deep rich color and excellent luster. However, when studying the images, I thought the cheek might be too dark or grey so I didn’t chase it. I was interested in seeing what it sold for, though so I left the page open. I hadn’t checked yet, but wow! I would have guessed around $2500 but my range would have been very wide. This does feel like a coin that could absolutely glow in hand or it could be mottled and perhaps disappointing.
I would love to hear from someone who has held it or hopefully I’ll see someone I know on IG post a video.
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@RobertScotLover said:
I like everything about it other than the ridiculously inflated price. The buyer will be married to that Lady for a long long timeHow bout a LIFETIME plus…
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Well, it had a CAC.
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For comparison purposes, I recently purchased this one for well under $2K

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Your hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need it.
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@PerryHall said:
In the early years of PCGS, were the graders at PCGS as sophisticated at determining if a coin was ATed or not as they are now? If that coin was submitted raw today to PCGS, it wouldn't surprise me if that coin got a "questionable toning" body bag.It’s not AT; the colors are 100% market acceptable.
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@david3142 said:
Before I opened the thread I figured we’d see:1) two people really wanted it
2) a fool and his money…
3) the buyer is buried
4) congrats to the underbidder
5) supply and demandA few hits so far!
I was watching that coin. I thought it had deep rich color and excellent luster. However, when studying the images, I thought the cheek might be too dark or grey so I didn’t chase it. I was interested in seeing what it sold for, though so I left the page open. I hadn’t checked yet, but wow! I would have guessed around $2500 but my range would have been very wide. This does feel like a coin that could absolutely glow in hand or it could be mottled and perhaps disappointing.
I would love to hear from someone who has held it or hopefully I’ll see someone I know on IG post a video.
I figured it would be quite lively in hand but I also thought the breaks/“fingerprints” were enough of a hinderance to prevent such a high result. I can see the buyer liking the coin but realizing they paid too much.
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An ultra-common date Morgan with an ultra-high realization.
All glory is fleeting.4 -
Maybe it will end up here next...
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1102624/post-a-coin-you-spent-stupid-money-for-but-still-dont-regret-buying#latestProud recipient of the coveted PCGS Forum "You Suck" Award Thursday July 19, 2007 11:33 PM and December 30th, 2011 at 8:50 PM.9 -
- Two nuclear bidders that figured their bid would be so high no one would beat them.
- Two bidders figured the coin would sell south of $2K and were assured they’d not be out sniped.
- Lots of heavy drinking during the auction.
- Fat fingers punched in an extra zero
- One happy under bidder and one heading for divorce if the wife finds out
W.C.Fields
"I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.8 -
@U1chicago said:
@PerryHall said:
In the early years of PCGS, were the graders at PCGS as sophisticated at determining if a coin was ATed or not as they are now? If that coin was submitted raw today to PCGS, it wouldn't surprise me if that coin got a "questionable toning" body bag.It’s not AT; the colors are 100% market acceptable.
It also CACed, so it's been viewed much more recently than the rattler days.
All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
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@U1chicago said:
Was anyone else following this auction at GC this past Sunday?
I figured that the combo of rattler, CAC, and nice color would bring a significant premium but I was still surprised to see a final price of $7,312.50 (which includes the fee). I was expecting something closer to $3k. Did anyone see this coin in hand or expect such a result?


@U1chicago said:
Was anyone else following this auction at GC this past Sunday?
I figured that the combo of rattler, CAC, and nice color would bring a significant premium but I was still surprised to see a final price of $7,312.50 (which includes the fee). I was expecting something closer to $3k. Did anyone see this coin in hand or expect such a result?I would’ve bid $15K from my tax refund had I knew about this coin.

+1
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@jmlanzaf said:
@U1chicago said:
@PerryHall said:
In the early years of PCGS, were the graders at PCGS as sophisticated at determining if a coin was ATed or not as they are now? If that coin was submitted raw today to PCGS, it wouldn't surprise me if that coin got a "questionable toning" body bag.It’s not AT; the colors are 100% market acceptable.
It also CACed, so it's been viewed much more recently than the rattler days.
Not to mention that AT methods have gotten much more sophisticated and doctored coins have proliferated in the past 30 years. I’d feel very confident with a rattler being legit. I think that’s part of why toned rattlers bring an extra premium.
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Maybe the buyer will get cold feet and exercise their return privilege.
I wonder if GC maintains auction results where the item is returned or if such results are purged from the system since there was no actual sale?
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At first glance, I didn't notice the fingerprint. However, once I saw it, I couldn't get past it. Otherwise, it's a pretty coin. I would not have bid or even been interested, but I don't collect Morgan Dollars. I can see how others would be attracted to the coin.
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Actually, it looks like the coin has several fingerprints. That does not bother some people, but it would bother me a lot.
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@U1chicago said:
@PerryHall said:
In the early years of PCGS, were the graders at PCGS as sophisticated at determining if a coin was ATed or not as they are now? If that coin was submitted raw today to PCGS, it wouldn't surprise me if that coin got a "questionable toning" body bag.It’s not AT; the colors are 100% market acceptable.
How many AT coins are in major grading company slabs and are considered to be market acceptable? I imagine that it's more than just a few.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire1 -
My mind is blown…
Without the old plastic, green sticker and modest toning, that is a $90 coin.
The toning is very unspectacular.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
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@PerryHall said:
@U1chicago said:
@PerryHall said:
In the early years of PCGS, were the graders at PCGS as sophisticated at determining if a coin was ATed or not as they are now? If that coin was submitted raw today to PCGS, it wouldn't surprise me if that coin got a "questionable toning" body bag.It’s not AT; the colors are 100% market acceptable.
How many AT coins are in major grading company slabs and are considered to be market acceptable? I imagine that it's more than just a few.
There are some (more in certain series than others) but this one is NT all the way. I said Market Acceptable since there is no conclusive way to prove NT but the vast majority of people who know toners would agree there is nothing close to AT on this coin.
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It’s not my cup of tea. The toning is not spectacular IMO and if it weren’t for the sticker and OGH the results would probably be very different.
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I don't get it.
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@U1chicago said:
@PerryHall said:
@U1chicago said:
@PerryHall said:
In the early years of PCGS, were the graders at PCGS as sophisticated at determining if a coin was ATed or not as they are now? If that coin was submitted raw today to PCGS, it wouldn't surprise me if that coin got a "questionable toning" body bag.It’s not AT; the colors are 100% market acceptable.
How many AT coins are in major grading company slabs and are considered to be market acceptable? I imagine that it's more than just a few.
There are some (more in certain series than others) but this one is NT all the way. I said Market Acceptable since there is no conclusive way to prove NT but the vast majority of people who know toners would agree there is nothing close to AT on this coin.
You're probably right. Most AT coins aren't covered in finger prints.

Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire2 -
wow- apparently two guys really liked that one.

I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
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@Manifest_Destiny said:
I don't get it.Two rich guys with more money than brains got into a bidding war and eventually the low bidder won.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire6 -
I respect money too much to consider paying that much for a common object that has simply tarnished attractively.
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I am going to revise my opinion.
The fingerprints bother me. The 1881-S is the commonest of dates. The colors are nice but not $7k nice, and its no moose or monster toning either. I think the bidders f'ed up and got carried away. This purchase will only get worse, a divorce is imminent3 -
On Morgans, all color is not created equal. That emerald green is the money color.
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Crazy, that's all I can say.
Nice coin, but...3 -
PCGS population in 64 is 115,684. 296,578 total for 1881-S. There is no more common Morgan, particularly in graded MS.
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I would have paid $175 for it.
GrandAm
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Buyer will have to hold on to his winning coin for a decade before he sees a ROI.
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@Goldbully said:
Buyer will have to hold on to his winning coin for a decade before he sees a ROI.Only a decade?


@GRANDAM said:
I would have paid $175 for it.
$350 tops for me.

Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
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There are so many things I can do with $7300+ and putting it into this coin is not one of them.
I would have instant buyer's remorse at this price point. My wife would, too.
Always looking for attractive rim toned Morgan and Peace dollars in PCGS or (older) ANA/ANACS holders!
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne4 -
Bill Gates makes enough money that to him $50,000. is about equal to a quarter to you and me (give or take).
If you dropped a quarter you very well may not bend over and pick it up.
Same if Bill Gates were to drop $50,000.00
So, if 50K equals a quarter, $7K is chump change to some.4 -
I guess the seller is peeing down both legs.
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@Smudge said:
I guess the seller is peeing down both legs.And laughing all the way to the bank.

Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire2 -
Bought this 1881-S 65PL from Poorguy(Brandon) in 2008 for $400 and I thought I overpaid......wish I still owned her.
16
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