I don't have a 2009 Redbook; however, I have noticed careless errors on mintages in past editions that a good editor should have spotted. These errors were usually something like dropping a digit from the mintage though.
Could be a reflection of MadMarty attempting to create a hoard of these coins.
Not finding any other sources showing the 77,000, would think if this is correct it would have been a prompt news story if it turned out 100,000 was authorized but only 77,000 actually produced or some record of 23,000 being sweeped up by the Pittman Act?
Whitman’s earlier response: “…The mintage was changed based on data unearthed by numismatic researchers Richard Kelly and Nancy Oliver. Information that has come to light since then, however, suggests that 100,000 is actually correct. Roger W. Burdette, Kenneth Bressett, Q. David Bowers, and others on the Red Book editorial staff are weighing all the evidence at this time,” Seems reasonable.
I believe it was a fairly simple, unintentional error and fully expect the 100,000 quantity to return with the next edition. Research errors similar to this occur occasionally but are commonly buried in the middle of some less popular series, where they are not as readily noticed.
Added - Regarding multiple published mintage figures. Coin production quantities take a year or two to filter through various hobby publications, assuming all the editors agree on the change.
John Dannreuther discovered a 2nd reverse die about a decade ago. It is illustrated on the VAMWorld site, but has received very little publicity - likely because the coin is so scarce, and collectors usually authenticate it by the obverse.
This was a question that I had the opportunity to ask Ken Bressett at the ANA this year. (He edits the Redbook) He told me that researchers foudn that the actual mintage was 77,000 from offical records and so he changed the number accordingly.
Halfhunter06's comment is correct. However, after the ANA convention it was determined that the research leading to the change was incomplete and unsubstantiated. It's unfortunate, but this happens occasionally - just not so quickly.
It's one of the easiest Morgans to find at shows and online...it's also one of the most over priced IMHO.
While this coin in various grades is a likely suspect to appear at decent show, original examples are still not as common as one might think. Is it overpriced? Well, I think that is a good and fair question... my answer will be short and to the point... if you want an unoriginal coin, it is common. If you want a nice original example, it truley is the cointhat dreams are made of and likely worth a negotiated price.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
I found one in a group of 5 silver dollars bought at a bank just as they were running out of dollars. It was so long ago that the Red Book value was $150 in EF – mine is just an honest Good.
Comments
Not finding any other sources showing the 77,000, would think if this is correct it would have been a prompt news story if it turned out 100,000 was authorized but only 77,000 actually produced or some record of 23,000 being sweeped up by the Pittman Act?
93-S mintage thread
I believe it was a fairly simple, unintentional error and fully expect the 100,000 quantity to return with the next edition. Research errors similar to this occur occasionally but are commonly buried in the middle of some less popular series, where they are not as readily noticed.
Added - Regarding multiple published mintage figures. Coin production quantities take a year or two to filter through various hobby publications, assuming all the editors agree on the change.
<< <i>It's one of the easiest Morgans to find at shows and online...it's also one of the most over priced IMHO. >>
Morgan Dollars are very popular, and thus all are "overpriced," when compared to earlier types. That's why I collect the earlier types, not Morgans.
my early American coins & currency: -- http://yankeedoodlecoins.com/
While this coin in various grades is a likely suspect to appear at decent show, original examples are still not as common as one might think. Is it overpriced? Well, I think that is a good and fair question... my answer will be short and to the point... if you want an unoriginal coin, it is common. If you want a nice original example, it truley is the cointhat dreams are made of and likely worth a negotiated price.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Couple of quick scans added just for grins.