Filled an incredibly difficult slot today, Claiming the #1 spot. Prooflike Morgans

ProofCollection · October 6, 2026 7:28PM

I just had to post about my latest collecting accomplishment as I got the results back today and have officially claimed the current #1 set position (#3 all time) for set composite: Morgan Dollars Prooflike Only with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes (1878-1921). To be fair there are other PL and PL-only sets where I am still #2 or lower. When I started this set over 20 years ago I never thought I would be able to have a set to compete with the top dogs, and now I am #1, at least for the time being. While I never really cared about the competition it was always fun to track where the set stands. I think part of this is due to the retirement of some sets and collectors diversifying to CACG coins, and part of it is due to the fact that most collectors do not pursue the major varieties, but still, it's nice to chalk up an accomplishment.

The latest acquisition that made this set possible is an 1880 8/7 VAM 9 (Stem) in MS63DMPL. I somehow stumbled across this coin in an ICG MS64PL holder. It's always incredibly risky buying non-PCGS coins especially without seeing them in person, but when the coins are rare you have to look everywhere and take chances. I took a chance and bought the coin. I cracked it out, sent it in and to my surprise and delight, it came back MS63 DMPL!

The 8/7 variety is so rare in PL/DMPL that I believe the set composite allows this coin slot to be filled with non-PL.
This VAM (VAM 9) has only 2 examples in DMPL. None in PL. If I understand the 8/7 VAMs correctly (and I still might not) none of the other VAMs that qualify (VAM 6, 7, 8) have any PCGS PL/DMPL examples. This is 1 of 2 PCGS coins that will fill the slot and qualify for the DMPL registry bonus. Mine will show up in the coinfacts tomorrow.

lilolme · October 6, 2026 9:38PM

There appears to be a (pcgs) flaw in this set.

Maybe I am not seeing it correctly as I was mainly involved in the regular Morgan sets when I collected them. However, this is what is see.

There are sets with the Prooflike in the name, example:
MORGAN DOLLARS PROOFLIKE WITH MAJOR VARIETIES, CIRCULATION STRIKES (1878-1921)

Sets like this include all the dates and mint marks (and major varieties if set states that) but for some dates and mint marks the set allows non-PL/DMPL coins. These are defined in the write up at the top of the set page (Notes). See link below.

https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/dollars/morgan-dollars-specialty-sets/morgan-dollars-prooflike-major-varieties-circulation-strikes-1878-1921/223

Then there are sets with the Prooflike Only in the name, example:
MORGAN DOLLARS PROOFLIKE ONLY WITH MAJOR VARIETIES, CIRCULATION STRIKES (1878-1921)

Sets like this only include the dates and mint marks (and major varieties if set states that) that have pcgs graded example(s) with a PL/DMPL designation. The Basic set it includes all 97 Morgans and the Major varieties it has 112 of the 117 since it lists 5 dates that do not have PL/DMPL examples.

It also states:
"This set allows only prooflike specimens which makes completing the set considerably more difficult than for the set that allows both."

https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/dollars/morgan-dollars-specialty-sets/morgan-dollars-prooflike-only-major-varieties-circulation-strikes-1878-1921/2106

When looking at your set, which appears nice when I also look at the images, I noticed that the set has a few non-PL/DMPL coins in the set (what I am thinking is a pcgs flaw). I see 1882 o/s, 1884 S, 1888 O DDO, 1890 CC Tailbar, 1892 O and S, 1893 O in the set that are not PL/DMPL (as is states as a requirement for this Prooflike Only set). The dates after 1893 O are blank if a PL/DMPL is not included.

Note: When I look at the Basic Prooflike Only set the 1884 S, 1892 O and S, 1893 O, which are included above, are not included in that set since they are not PL/DMPL and would appear to be as stated in the write up.

These coins do appear in the Prooflike (without the Only) set since that set allow non-PL/DMPL for specific dates as noted in the Note.

TomB · October 6, 2026 9:42PM

Holy Cow! Congratulations on the accomplishment.

Coinbert · October 7, 2026 2:27AM

Congratulations!

MFeld · October 7, 2026 2:36AM

Great job! I didn’t even know you’d been collecting that long.

Morgan13 · October 7, 2026 2:37AM

Very impressive @ProofCollection. Your number 1set in my favorite choice of coins. I admire you for taking the time and doing all the work to achieve this undertaking.
Just Amazing!

johnny9434 · October 7, 2026 2:56AM

Nice coin, I like 👍

tradedollarnut · October 7, 2026 3:34AM

Nicely done

cinque1543 · October 7, 2026 3:43AM

Congrats on the nice acquisition!

WaterSport · October 7, 2026 4:30AM

Tough -tough achievement! Congrats. I also like everything about your comments on what a collector must do and be aware of these days to achieve any resemblance of a significant collection - it's spot on.

WS

golden · October 7, 2026 6:46AM

Congratulations.

cheezhed · October 7, 2026 8:52AM

Thanks for sharing!

TallahasseeCoinClub · October 7, 2026 9:55AM

Fabulous accomplishment!

messydesk · October 7, 2026 10:02AM

Congatulations! Not an easy set and a great accomplishment.

coinbuf · October 7, 2026 2:46PM

Congrats!

erwindoc · October 7, 2026 3:57PM

Always a great feeling to complete a set and congrats on your achievement!

Now that its done, what is next on the horizon?

ProofCollection · October 7, 2026 5:36PM

@erwindoc said:
Always a great feeling to complete a set and congrats on your achievement!

Now that its done, what is next on the horizon?

The set's not done, this is just a milestone. There are still several pieces that need upgrading and 8-11 ultra rare PL coins to chase down, if I can afford them.

ChrisH821 · October 8, 2026 8:30AM

Very nice set! I don't understand the way PCGS has created these sets, to me it seems like there are repeats. Why are there separate "prooflike" and "prooflike only" sets?? They didn't do that for the date set.

lilolme · October 8, 2026 9:31AM

@ChrisH821 said:
Very nice set! I don't understand the way PCGS has created these sets, to me it seems like there are repeats. Why are there separate "prooflike" and "prooflike only" sets?? They didn't do that for the date set.

I tried explaining that in my previous post but probably to wordy/long.
Short version:
Prooflike set allows some dates to have non-prooflike coins entered for them. See screenshot below from:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/dollars/morgan-dollars-specialty-sets/morgan-dollars-prooflike-major-varieties-circulation-strikes-1878-1921/223

.
Prooflike Only set allows only prooflike coins to be entered for all dates. See screenshot below from:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/dollars/morgan-dollars-specialty-sets/morgan-dollars-prooflike-only-major-varieties-circulation-strikes-1878-1921/2106