Are Morgan PL's worth collecting?

blu62vette · July 15, 2008 6:18AM

I overheard a discussion the other day about how PL Morgans weren't worth the hassle. I think the main point was that if you made PL set it still wasn't DMPL and there would be pressure to upgrade to DMPL.

Any thoughts on that comment? It is not my comment by the way. I have some PL's that look better than some DMPL'S for the same year. Some DMPL's bring out to many flaws in the fields. Just curious for comments, if any. I dont see a problem it colelcting the PL's, they are attractive and more affordable.

Cladiator · July 15, 2008 6:19AM

If it makes you happy then it's worth collecting.

doh · July 15, 2008 6:20AM

If you like them, go nuts. That's true of anything.

Specific to PLs, they'll be cheaper than DMPLs and still extremely eye-appealing.

CarlWohlforth · July 15, 2008 6:30AM

DMPLs often show hits more than PL coins. PL coins are hard to price. Morgans with real mirror like fields do not have cartwheel luster.

Personally I like really frosty devices with lustrous fields. If I can find PL coins that are priced very close to a non-designated one I consider it a bargain. That is mainly because I do like the PL look sometimes even more than a DMPL coin.

golfer72 · July 15, 2008 6:39AM

PL's are nice. If you like them, collect them. I have some very nice PL's myself and very few DM's. Better value I believe

blu62vette · July 15, 2008 6:43AM

I collect anything I like the look of, but can others see PL's ever being a problem to hold? I sure don't but these others sure sounded like it would be an issue someday. Maybe just a form of registry jealousy or something.

messydesk · July 15, 2008 7:36AM

PL/DMPL designations over time seems to have a wider margin of error than grades do. PL coins can be a great value. Pay more attention to the coin and less to the registry points.

MrEureka · July 15, 2008 7:53AM

Blu62 - Based on what you overheard, it doesn't sound like the guy should bother with PLs, unless DMPLs of the date cannot be had. He already knows what he wants and should stick to his plan.

TorinoCobra71 · July 15, 2008 8:06AM

YES!

TC71

charley · July 15, 2008 8:08AM

Of course. Respectfully, John Curlis

garsmith · July 15, 2008 12:20PM

I like them and I get them whenever I can.

sweetwilliet · July 15, 2008 12:25PM

I have found that I am upgrading many of my pl's to dmpl's, but that is part of the fun of collecting, upgrading your set. Pl and dmpl's are what I colllect, so of course I think they are worth collecting. Like anything else, collect what you like, and if they're dmpl's, go for it!!

Stuart · July 15, 2008 12:27PM

<< If it makes you happy then it's worth collecting. >>

I totally agree with Cladiator's above quoted post, and have loved collecting PL & DMPL Morgan Dollars for the past 40 years.

Boom · July 15, 2008 5:06PM

Me too.

Coxe · July 15, 2008 9:02PM

Absolutely. First, a LOT of certified PLs would have been yesterday's DMPLs. Second, this is about collecting prooflikes.. We cannot lose sight on what that means. These are coins that have some claims to appearing like proofs. Different years and mints do have different qualities. A prooflike for 1884-S, 1896-S or 1903-S will never be like an 1880-S DMPL (nor will ever be located in truly strict DMPL anyway). However, each is clearly outstanding relative to its regular MS UNC peers. And then even for a year like 1880-S that is very common in DMPL you can find highly attractive regular PLs that I would never dismiss as collectible. Also consider that a typical 62PL is much nicer looking in hand than a typical 63DMPL. PLs also represent bargains without sacrificing rarity. You probably won't have a shot at a 1904 DMPL except a couple times in your collecting, while a not far off PL of the date will present itself more often and at a small fraction of the DMPL price.

To my knowledge, I had the most complete prooflike set ever assembled until I recently started dismantling it (all but 3 dates: 1883-S, 1893-S and 1921-S) and treasured several of the dates I had (some still have) in PL as much as the select group of rare DMPLs in the set. I know others who are doing similar sets who feel the same way. In fact, with the exception of one peculiar collector, I haven't known a serious DMPL collector who summarily dismissed PLs. They can be and are exceptional specimens for many, if not most or all, dates.

Boom · July 15, 2008 10:24PM

True. I just use a very simple Test. If I can clearly see a distinct likeness (in detail) of my finger or an ink pen etc, from 5 inches away (or thereabouts) AND if the devices are frosty, they then go into the "Re-check pile".

If one can see clear reflection from a distance (IN THE COIN) and it has snowy devices, it then becomes a candidate, in my book!

JMHO.

dizzlecc · July 16, 2008 11:51AM

Depends on the depth of your wallet. There are some select high end collectors that will settle for nothing but top quality dmpls. Even then they settle for pl's in the key dates.

Pl's are a good way to start and learn about mirror depth and the particulars about various dates. Then you can progress to dmpls and tougher dates.

You won't hit the home run but you will get value for your efforts.

BAJJERFAN · July 16, 2008 12:19PM

Are most of the best ones [both PL and DMPL] squirreled away and most of whats left to pick from is average or lower quality stuff?

morgannut2 · July 16, 2008 12:22PM

Coxe got it!

DMPL's and PL's are neat commonly because of the nice device to field contrast ==

But if that's attractive to you--and most think so-----

Then how do you collect a DMPL 1896 S Morgan in DMPL???

I've never seen a real one---and Coxe and I have 2 of the 5 or 6 real PL's

known. So YES---Some PL date/MM's are worth collecting---but try to even find one!!!!!!

Coxe · July 16, 2008 12:55PM

<< <i>Coxe got it!

DMPL's and PL's are neat commonly because of the nice device to field contrast ==

But if that's attractive to you--and most think so-----

Then how do you collect a DMPL 1896 S Morgan in DMPL???

I've never seen a real one---and Coxe and I have 2 of the 5 or 6 real PL's

known. So YES---Some PL date/MM's are worth collecting---but try to even find one!!!!!!

>>

Here is my 96-S. It is a 62PL. Is there any question whatsoever that is is "proof"-like? It is not a technical DMPL but is worthy of a proper prooflike collection.

Shortgapbob · July 16, 2008 1:28PM

Of course they are worth collecting. PL coins certainly look different, and more appealing to some, than brilliant coins. As has been stated, some issues are very tough in PL, and nearly impossible in DMPL.

I have seen the 1896-S Morgan in PCGS MS-67 PL, and it is certainly worth collecting.

DJCoinz · July 16, 2008 1:32PM

I've had several extremely eye-appealing PL's. I've seen 10 times as many dogs though.

cladking · July 16, 2008 1:49PM

I like PL's a lot.

Their one major drawback is that their surfaces tend to highlight every little blemish.

I like collecting PL's that are nearly blemish free more than how deep their mirrors are. There are other characteristics which make a coin PL than just basining and seeking these is fun too since they won't cost extra.

Collect what you like. If it looks nice to you and is fun to collect then anything is worth collecting.

Are Morgan PL's worth collecting?

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