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 Replies: 25 / Views: 3,382 |
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New Member
Bermuda
4 Posts |
Morning,
I'm writing a novel and need some expert assistance. A character of mine keeps a silver dollar for luck, but I cannot find the right one.
It cannot be a Morgan or any other $$$$$ type. I'm looking for something that has a value of no more than $100 and is relatively common to pick up.
Has to be a US silver dollar, but beyond that there's no other prerequisites.
Thanks in advance.
Shad
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1005 Posts |
Good morning, Morgan dollars and Peace dollars can both be had for close to their intrinsic silver value, so long as they are common dates/circulated. You could pick up either pretty easily for around $20 or so. Eisenhower dollars are not truly "silver dollars", but they are much cheaper and of a similar size to classic silver dollars; sometimes they can still be acquired for face value. Hope this helps! |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2133 Posts |
I would suggest a Peace dollar, 1922 to 1935 (but not 1928). Very common, easy to pick up even in mint condition. |
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Valued Member
United States
457 Posts |
Yeah, Peace dollar IMO. For a common date (1922 23 24 25), you can pick up one in relatively good shape for around $40. Mark |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
I'm looking for something that has a value of no more than $100 and is relatively common to pick up. Welcome to Coin Community. I'm assuming you're discounting Morgans and Peace dollars in consideration of value, and it's unnecessary. They can be had easily for less than $30 - 1921 Morgans and occasionally Peace dollars can be found in Uncirculated condition for that money, and you can get worn Dollars for little over melt value. No reason why your character - however poor - couldn't have come across a Morgan at some point. Another consideration are the counterfeits. Millions have been produced over the years, they're like grains of sand overseas (and on ebay  ), and that's not an unreasonable acquisition for a character, either. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
The only two U.S coins that I can think of that can fit into your requirements are Peace dollars and Trade dollars. The Trade dollar will have to be a worn like G/VG and/or a problem coin before it goes under $100. If you are willing and if it fits into your story, you could consider an 8 reales. They circulated in the U.S as silver dollars up until 1857. They are not rare and can be had for less than $100 depending on condition. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
 Since your really not thinking of it would have to be Silver, just hit all the banks in your area and see if they can get you a Ike dollar. If you have an account at a bank, they will usually be able to order you some but that sort of depends on the bank. Some want you to order lots of them. Just go to banks and ASK. Just can't best face value. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4589 Posts |
I'd go for an Ike. In 1971 the 'silver dollar' returned for the first time since the 30s. They were a clad-silver composition so they net out to 40% Silver instead of the 90% silver of an Peace $1. The mint made millions of them and it's perfectly reasonable for your protagonist to carry one 'from his time' just like his grandfather could have carried one from his time. http://www.pcgs.com/books/silver-do...ngs-004.aspx-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Valued Member
South Africa
453 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
Does the time setting in your novel have a bearing on an appropriate date or the design of the dollar you are thinking about?
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New Member
 Bermuda
4 Posts |
Thank you everyone for the input. The Peace dollar does seem to fit the bill from a money perspective, but I see the width is roughly 1.5" which is too large for what I have in mind. After more research I'm now looking at the Franklin half-dollar which is only an inch or so. So is there a F-HD with a year that is worth between $50 and $100? Failing that, I'm open to suggs as long as it is an inch in diameter. sel_69l - The period is modern day NYC. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
OK, so your need (at the diameter) is for a Half. It is not unreasonable to find a Half well over 100 years old for less than $100 - worn Bust Halves from the 1820's-1830's can be had for that. If condition is relevant to your plot, Franklins in Uncirculated grades and even some Walking Liberty halves will fit the bill. So, your options are broader than you might think, and hopefully that'll make the storytelling easier for you. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4589 Posts |
Also, again with the timeframe, a 1964 Kennedy (90% silver), 1965-1970 (40% silver) or bicentennial 1776-1976 (clad only) version might fit the bill. Those are easily found, more in the $10 and under range.
Melt - just the value of the silver - on the 64s, Franklins and Walking Liberties are $6.42 today, the Kennedy 40% is at $2.62
-----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1158 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
381 Posts |
I would go with the 3 cent US Silver Coin! Under 100 and not a $ coin. Its unique!
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Valued Member
United States
68 Posts |
Susan B Anthony proof. 26mm (0.6mm > 1 inch) $1 face value. Easily obtainable for less than $10, maybe even face at a bank if lucky. Also there is a rare one, an '81 clear S (type 2) worth about a hundred even circulated.
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Replies: 25 / Views: 3,382 |
Posted 09/20/2014 10:30 am
