Most Expensive 1881-S PCGS MS63 CAC Morgan

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alefzero
alefzero Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭✭✭

Now that the auction is over, here it is. 17th coin certified by our host, PCGS, and likely earliest PCGS certification still in its original holder.

Some buy the holder, not so much the coin. Not my cup if tea, but interesting.

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  • CCDollar
    CCDollar Posts: 771 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Pride of ownership...cool. Take care...CC

    Nickel Triumph...My Led Zepps
  • Rc5280
    Rc5280 Posts: 1,429 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Buy the holder, not the coin.

  • pcgsregistrycollector
    pcgsregistrycollector Posts: 2,325 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Watch @EliteCollection come post his NEWP!

    Proud follower of Christ! I love the USA! Land of the Bright and Beautiful! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • EliteCollection
    EliteCollection Posts: 304 ✭✭✭✭✭
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  • Walkerlover
    Walkerlover Posts: 1,029 ✭✭✭✭
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    Expensive piece of history. I would like the price if it was the first coin graded by PCGS

  • johnny010
    johnny010 Posts: 1,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Love the play supporting the history. Congrats :)

  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    :o


    “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 #242
  • batumi
    batumi Posts: 936 ✭✭✭✭
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    100+ K for a $40 coin, No thanks. Any plastic is not that valuable to me.

  • ajaan
    ajaan Posts: 18,005 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Did PCGS buy it?


    DPOTD-3
    'Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery'

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    Don
  • seatedlib3991
    seatedlib3991 Posts: 1,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Does anyone know the provenance of this coin? Seems like a huge payout for an 81-S Morgan. Was there some sort of price growth to support it? Hard to believe this would be it's first time up for sale. I would really be curious what the cost progression looked like. james

  • cinque1543
    cinque1543 Posts: 615 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 11, 2025 5:38AM
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    Help me understand. An 1881-S PCGS/CAC MS-68+ is listed on this site for $15,000. Did the buyer of the MS-63 Morgan pay $105,000 because the coin was the 17th graded by PCGS or because of the holder?

  • Colonialcoin
    Colonialcoin Posts: 923 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 11, 2025 6:39AM
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    Congrats to the consignor as well as the underbidder!

  • BAJJERFAN
    BAJJERFAN Posts: 31,659 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Rc5280 said:
    Buy the holder, not the coin.

    Tell that to his heirs.

    theknowitalltroll;
  • BAJJERFAN
    BAJJERFAN Posts: 31,659 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @cinque1543 said:
    Help me understand. An 1881-S PCGS/CAC MS-68+ is listed on this site for $15,000. Did the buyer of the MS-63 Morgan pay $105,000 because the coin was the 17th graded by PCGS or because of the holder?

    How many coins are there in that particular type of holder?

    theknowitalltroll;
  • LeeBone
    LeeBone Posts: 4,891 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I can appreciate older holders and pay a small premium for a cool addition every now and then.
    I understand the strong money that this coin may demand but not to this point.
    When I first checked where the bids were at one point in the auction, it was around 21,000 or so.
    I was actually surprised it was that high at the time.
    After seeing the final result, I was blown away! 🤯
    Just goes to show what I know 🤷‍♂️🤪

  • Downtown1974
    Downtown1974 Posts: 7,189 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Congratulations to the winner!
    Not liking the green bean on this one though.

  • SeattleSlammer
    SeattleSlammer Posts: 10,125 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Lakesammman tell us the truth buddy!!

  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,816 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That's one expensive piece of exonumia.

  • Catbert
    Catbert Posts: 8,258 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I want to know what @BillJones thinks of this! ;)

    Seated Half Society member #38

    "She comes out of the sun in a silk dress,
    running like a water color in the rain...."
  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,861 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I sold this somewhat later not "white" label last week for $115:

  • Coins3675
    Coins3675 Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭✭
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    @BAJJERFAN said:
    Tell that to his heirs.

    Hopefully they know what they have before they go to the local coin shop to get rid of it. That would be a $100,000+ loss.

    Successful Transactions With: JWP, DBSTrader2, greencopper, bretsan, ajaan, Ted1, Desert Coin, olah_in_MA

  • coinbuf
    coinbuf Posts: 12,567 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @BillJones said:
    I think that it is total nonsense. The 1881-S dollar is perhaps the most common Morgan Dollar in Mint State. The coin is properly graded in the rattler, no more. Isn't CAC still in the sticker business? What's to stop them from stikering another 1881-S in a rattle holder/

    It's not just a rattler, lots Morgans in rattlers sell for very modest premiums. But this is a white label rattler, and possibly the oldest surviving rattler. I think that is insane for that coin/holder, but it is not just another 81-S in a rattler.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • Colonialcoin
    Colonialcoin Posts: 923 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Coins3675 said:

    @BAJJERFAN said:
    Tell that to his heirs.

    Hopefully they know what they have before they go to the local coin shop to get rid of it. That would be a $100,000+ loss.

    Good luck finding a dealer that would pay huge money for an extremely common $100 coin.

  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,935 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @coinbuf said:

    @BillJones said:
    I think that it is total nonsense. The 1881-S dollar is perhaps the most common Morgan Dollar in Mint State. The coin is properly graded in the rattler, no more. Isn't CAC still in the sticker business? What's to stop them from stikering another 1881-S in a rattle holder/

    It's not just a rattler, lots Morgans in rattlers sell for very modest premiums. But this is a white label rattler, and possibly the oldest surviving rattler. I think that is insane for that coin/holder, but it is not just another 81-S in a rattler.

    A rattler is a rattler. Is it really a white label or is it faded green? I've seen some off-green ones that were almost white.

    At any rate, like one of father's friends said about eating rattle snake meat 60 years ago, they needn't fix any for me, especially at that price.

    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 ... ?
  • BAJJERFAN
    BAJJERFAN Posts: 31,659 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @BillJones said:

    @coinbuf said:

    @BillJones said:
    I think that it is total nonsense. The 1881-S dollar is perhaps the most common Morgan Dollar in Mint State. The coin is properly graded in the rattler, no more. Isn't CAC still in the sticker business? What's to stop them from stikering another 1881-S in a rattle holder/

    It's not just a rattler, lots Morgans in rattlers sell for very modest premiums. But this is a white label rattler, and possibly the oldest surviving rattler. I think that is insane for that coin/holder, but it is not just another 81-S in a rattler.

    A rattler is a rattler. Is it really a white label or is it faded green? I've seen some off-green ones that were almost white.

    At any rate, like one of father's friends said about eating rattle snake meat 60 years ago, they needn't fix any for me, especially at that price.

    If the serial number indicates that it actually is the 17th coin ever graded by PCGS then why wouldn't it be a white label? Would or could PCGS confirm that?

    theknowitalltroll;
  • coinbuf
    coinbuf Posts: 12,567 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @BillJones said:

    @coinbuf said:

    @BillJones said:
    I think that it is total nonsense. The 1881-S dollar is perhaps the most common Morgan Dollar in Mint State. The coin is properly graded in the rattler, no more. Isn't CAC still in the sticker business? What's to stop them from stikering another 1881-S in a rattle holder/

    It's not just a rattler, lots Morgans in rattlers sell for very modest premiums. But this is a white label rattler, and possibly the oldest surviving rattler. I think that is insane for that coin/holder, but it is not just another 81-S in a rattler.

    A rattler is a rattler. Is it really a white label or is it faded green? I've seen some off-green ones that were almost white.

    At any rate, like one of father's friends said about eating rattle snake meat 60 years ago, they needn't fix any for me, especially at that price.

    The serial number that starts in 108 identifies this as a true white label not a faded green one. And as I said I think the result is insane, but there were multiple bidders, so the demand was there even if not from you. BTW, rattlesnake is quite tasty if prepared well.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • privatecoin
    privatecoin Posts: 3,853 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @coinbuf said:

    @BillJones said:

    @coinbuf said:

    @BillJones said:
    I think that it is total nonsense. The 1881-S dollar is perhaps the most common Morgan Dollar in Mint State. The coin is properly graded in the rattler, no more. Isn't CAC still in the sticker business? What's to stop them from stikering another 1881-S in a rattle holder/

    It's not just a rattler, lots Morgans in rattlers sell for very modest premiums. But this is a white label rattler, and possibly the oldest surviving rattler. I think that is insane for that coin/holder, but it is not just another 81-S in a rattler.

    A rattler is a rattler. Is it really a white label or is it faded green? I've seen some off-green ones that were almost white.

    At any rate, like one of father's friends said about eating rattle snake meat 60 years ago, they needn't fix any for me, especially at that price.

    The serial number that starts in 108 identifies this as a true white label not a faded green one. And as I said I think the result is insane, but there were multiple bidders, so the demand was there even if not from you. BTW, rattlesnake is quite tasty if prepared well.

    If it walks, crawls, swims, flies, or slithers, eat it. It's all fair game.

    Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc

  • pcgsregistrycollector
    pcgsregistrycollector Posts: 2,325 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Idiocracy

    Proud follower of Christ! I love the USA! Land of the Bright and Beautiful! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • alefzero
    alefzero Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 11, 2025 5:06PM
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    What gets me is the particular coin slabbed. I remember back when this all started and how the emphasis was on authentication and all. 1881-S is not only one of the most common BU Morgans but is generally common in grades higher than gem MS65. Were the first few dozen slabbed almost service trials? I know there are a ton of Morgans more worthy of that initial foray into third party grading that are far more desirable and valuable than a Choice BU 1881-S. and 1884-S slider would have been fun, but arguably contentious regardless of which side of the UNC divide it would slide.

  • BAJJERFAN
    BAJJERFAN Posts: 31,659 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @alefzero said:
    What gets me is the particular coin slabbed. I remember back when this all started and how the emphasis was on authentication and all. 1881-S is not only one of the most common BU Morgans but is generally common in grades higher than gem MS65. Were the first few dozen slabbed almost service trials? I know there are a ton of Morgans more worthy of that initial foray into third party grading that are far more desirable and valuable than a Choice BU 1881-S. and 1884-S slider would have been fun, but arguably contentious regardless of which side of the UNC divide it would slide.

    When you look at the numbers of commons available in early holders you have to wonder what were they thinking. Thing is that they are probably doing that very same thing to this very day. Sending in bucketful after bucketful of commons.

    theknowitalltroll;
  • alefzero
    alefzero Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Unfortunately, HRH (homerunhall) isn't on here anymore. He'd know the details pretty well.

  • coastaljerseyguy
    coastaljerseyguy Posts: 2,129 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Gen 1 holder graded Feb 1986. Thankfully it survived these past 39 years but that is some premium.

  • Barberian
    Barberian Posts: 4,643 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 12, 2025 3:46PM
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    Is PCGS aware if others with lower certification numbers have been cracked out and the labels turned in?

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @BillJones said:

    @Catbert said:
    I want to know what @BillJones thinks of this! ;)

    I think that it is total nonsense. The 1881-S dollar is perhaps the most common Morgan Dollar in Mint State. The coin is properly graded in the rattler, no more. Isn't CAC still in the sticker business? What's to stop them from stikering another 1881-S in a rattle holder/

    It's not the CAC. The price (whether silly or not) is die to its being the 17th coin ever graded and the earliest known to still exist.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,816 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @alefzero said:
    Unfortunately, HRH (homerunhall) isn't on here anymore. He'd know the details pretty well.

    I imagine that unless they pride themselves on journalistic laziness, PCGS writers will attempt to contact him (or others there at the time) for insight when they write an article for their magazine.

  • clouisejewelers
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    Another 1881 S in a 108 series rattler that was also green cac sold for $1200 the same day. It was serial number 8229, not 17 though

  • goldfixer21
    goldfixer21 Posts: 136 ✭✭✭
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    The hammer price on any coin is 100% subjective to the BIDDERS. I can completely understand those that think it's a crazy amount to pay for that coin. That said , any amount over the actual metal value of a coin is subjective. Look at the monies paid for pieces of cardboard with pictures on them.

  • keyman64
    keyman64 Posts: 15,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Not a white label but HERE is a 108 series toned Merc that I bought and owned for a little while before dumping it for close to the same amount since the toning was not good enough for me.

    I can understand premiums for toning or old holders or gold cac stickers etc but a SIX-FIGURE old holder premium is not for me. I'm poor. Big congrats to the consignor!

    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner. :smile:
  • tradedollarnut
    tradedollarnut Posts: 20,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I’d gladly pay a premium for a 1909 pr65rb IHC or Pr65rb vdb Lincoln cent in a rattler holder. Not 6 figures but certainly more than just the coin price.

  • Coins3675
    Coins3675 Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭✭
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    @EliteCollection said:
    Remember that this coin was graded on the first day of grading. PCGS was new and not well known like today. I'm guessing they didn't have any customer submissions on day 1, so they just grabbed whatever coins they had on hand and graded them. They were probably just testing out their process with these initial coins. The coins themselves didn't matter much at all.

    I never thought of it that way before, but you are right.

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  • WinLoseWin
    WinLoseWin Posts: 1,912 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Barberian said:
    Is PCGS aware if others with lower certification numbers that have been cracked out and the labels turned in?

    Yes, they were all turned in by BillJones. :o

    "To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,861 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    There's a large group of holder collectors who know what's rare and hold their cards close to their chests.

  • ProofCollection
    ProofCollection Posts: 8,060 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Crack it out and resubmit it and try for a 64.

  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,816 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Guessing there's an 1860 proof half dime out there that used to be in that first holder (and a quarter and dollar for 3 and 5).

  • ProofCollection
    ProofCollection Posts: 8,060 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @WorldTypeSet said:

    @Barberian said:
    Is PCGS aware if others with lower certification numbers have been cracked out and the labels turned in?

    Fairly easy to do a Cert Verification on earlier 10800xx 's ...
    1080001 not found
    1080002 1860 10c
    1080003 not found
    1080004 1860 50c
    1080005 not found
    1080006 not found
    1080007 1925 $2.50
    1080008 1904 $20
    1080009 1914 $20
    1080010 1928 $20
    1080011 not found
    1080012 1879 $1
    1080013 1880 $1`
    1080014 1881 $1
    1080015 not found
    1080016 not found

    Did they have Polaroid trueviews?

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