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 Replies: 26 / Views: 3,042 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2815 Posts |
Hello all. I have been considering how to move forward with my Morgan dollar collection. Last summer I inherited several from my dad. He split his collection between my brother and I. All are raw and non-graded. Most are common dates in mint state. I have bought just a few raw Morgans on ebay since then, but I'm wondering if I should buy graded samples from now on to ensure that they are authentic and not cleaned/polished. I know that going this route will cost me more in the long run, but I would know that they are authentic and have never been cleaned- not to mention they would be more valuable in the marketplace. However, I really prefer buying raw Morgan dollars since this is how my collection has started out. Again, the only problem for me is whether they are cleaned or not. Part of me cares about this, but another part of me doesn't. After all, just because an 1880-S Morgan has been cleaned doesn't mean that it still isn't an original 1880-S Morgan that has existed for 132 years. Lat night I submitted a best offer price of $47 for this 1890-S Morgan, which the seller accepted. I'm not sure if it has been cleaned or not, but I love the "antique" look of this coin:  I have also noticed on ebay that when sellers describe a raw coin as having either been cleaned or polished, it doesn't seem to affect the bidding all that much. People still pay a decent price for the coins as long as they have nice eye appeal. So this makes me feel better about the "cleaned coin" situation. I would really like the opinions of others on this matter. My mind has been back and forth over and over again about how to proceed, but I'm leaning heavily toward buying only non-graded Morgans. What do you guys think? Edited by Darth Morgan
10/08/2012 4:18 pm
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Valued Member
United States
379 Posts |
I would collect exactly what/how you like. If you like raw coins, then buy them. You have to decide if a raw coin is worth the risk of it being cleaned. Heck, some people prefer to have cleaned coins because they look better to them personally.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
I'd say which ever you prefer go with.. I am also working on my Morgan's and personally I buy raw AU-MS coins.. I agree completely on the aged look.. I like the history, even worn coins, I'd love to hear there story they could tell if it were possible.
As long as the coin looks good to you that's all that matters, if it's harshly cleaned when you receive it and they accept returns you can always return it, but if it appeals to your eye then your golden..
Beauty is in they eye of the beholder
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
I would buy graded examples on ebay especially the key dates and any of them that cost a lot. If you like them raw you can always break them out of the slab to put into the collection while still giving yourself more protection on ebay |
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Valued Member
United States
379 Posts |
Oh yeah... Beautiful coin, thanks for sharing!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2815 Posts |
Yes, it really looks nice in the photo. I hope it looks just as good in hand. Another reason why I prefer to buy raw coins is because I like to actually hold the coin. History in your hands, so to speak. However, I most definitely will buy the 1893-S graded, as well as some of the rarer dates that command high prices. In those cases I will need to be sure of what I'm getting.
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CCF Sponsor
United States
702 Posts |
For me, I see nothing wrong with the lightly experienced Morgan collector picking up only graded coins. I say you're lightly experienced because you admit that you can't tell the difference between a cleaned coin and a non-cleaned coin. If you feel you're more experienced than I'm giving you credit, so be it! No harm intended.
Here's why:
1) Most of those in mint state have no "history", they were stored in a bag in a vault for around 100 years. Buying worn coins that have character - those are the ones that generally have a story to tell that can be felt through the hand. Those are not generally counterfeited, though key dates in all conditions are.
2) Counterfeits are so prevalent, you even have to be careful not to buy a counterfeit slab. Why not be safe and buy the slabbed coin that looks right for a little more. Definitely pick to the big name slabbers - PCGS, NGC, ICG, ANACS. Perhaps there are others I'm forgetting, but beware of the basement slabbers.
You can always take the coin out of the slab if you prefer to have a matching set.
Tip from a copper lover: if you want to feel history in your hand, pick up some large cents. Pre-Civil War coins are not extraordinarily expensive, and they will always have more numismatic than bullion value. Colonials are really fantastic.
And of course, the people are great, too.
Happy coin hunting!
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I like the look of that coin. That said.... The person imaging it is either very good, or very lucky. It's presented in the best-possible light, with excellent contrast and sharpness. I don't think the cheek will be as nice in-hand as it is in the image. Second: if the color is somewhat accurate - actually, even correcting the background to a more "white" appearance as it looks to be - that single-shade coloration resembles how a coin tones after a dipping/cleaning. OK, enough pessimism. We'll see, when you get it in-hand.  |
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Valued Member
United States
366 Posts |
Morgan's are a great series. Like any coin, study them and learn what to look for in grading and authenticity. There are lots of counterfeit coins out there... particularly the better dates. Learn the detail of each date by studying VAMs here or on VAMWorld. If you know VAM's you will likely not be deceived by counterfeit coins. Have fun. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
Welcome to Morgan collecting 101-B. You've got a few raw common dates and are moving on to the next level. There is nothing wrong with buying coins that are graded by PCGS, NGC and ANACS. They will most always be fairly accurate and can be a great training ground to learn how to grade. If you choose to continue the raw route stick with the common dates until you become comfortable with your results. The key to purchasing raw Morgans is to be able to translate a seller's photographs into what the coin will really look like in hand. Before you go too much farther I recommend reading the Morgan dollar Red Book by Q. David Bowers. It contains tons of information that I still refer back to. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10038 Posts |
How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash? Download and read: Grading the graders Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halveshttps://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2815 Posts |
Thanks for all the advice thus far. Indeed, I am not very experienced when it comes to detecting subtle flaws/alterations to coins. I have an easier time determining if a coin has been polished or not. To me a polished coin just looks too "slick". I am learning more about cleaning details. I know it will take some time. I''m looking forward to getting the 1890-S coin in later this week. I will post pics and/or scans of the coin once I get it. I too am curious as to how it will actually look in hand. Now I get to look forward to hearing everyone's opinion of the coin based on detailed photos.
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Valued Member
United States
402 Posts |
I was not good at grading or looking for flaws in my Morgan collection until I started asking questions on this Forum. The wealth of knowledge these Forum members will share with you is invaluable. Don't be afraid to ask them any questions you have. They like to talk. Remember the saying, "The only dumb question was the one that was never asked". Good luck on you collection. I personally like the AU coins with a little patina on them over the MS bright ones. As for slabs, all my CC's and anything really pricy is slabbed by PCGS, NCG or Anacs. Just my opinions edgman    |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
as for your question on if you should buy graded examples or not to make sure you are not buying cleaned or counterfeit coins I will say it all depends on your ability to detect these things by images. If you are a beginner and really are just learning to grade/detect problems and you don't want them in your collection then buying graded is definitely a way to go. Allot of the times the cost of the graded common dates aren't much more than a raw example as it seems most people will not pay much over melt for common MS-64 and below (the lower the grade from 64 the lower the price until you get to melt value). So its all according to how strongly you feel your ability is on what I would suggest
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
Well put, Bryan!
It is very important on how to grade accurately, if you are going to buy raw. Some coins jump in price, greatly, by just a few numbers in a grade.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1704 Posts |
This forum is a great place for new collectors such as yourself and there is a lot of information that the members here can pass on about coins but there is nothing like real world experience. If there are any coin shops in your city or nearby visit them, frequently, and ask the same questions you would ask here about what to look for on cleaned or counterfeit coins. Find out if there are any coins shows coming up and go to them. You will meet dealers from near and far and all are willing to answer any questions you may have. Developing a relationship with local coin dealers will reap many benefits for you, you will learn things and you can get better deals on coins when you become a "regular" customer. There are many ways a coin can be cleaned and knowing the differences will greatly improve your chances of detecting if and how a coin has been cleaned. One of the problems with buying coins off of ebay especially for inexperienced collectors are the number of sellers who edit their photographs to hide problems so you have to be very careful who you buy from. If a seller consistently sells cleaned coins you should see that in their feedback from unhappy buyers. Ed ANA LM-3175 |
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Replies: 26 / Views: 3,042 |
Posted 10/08/2012 5:10 pm
