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 Replies: 19 / Views: 17,150 |
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
Greetings. I haven't really been much of a collector since the early 70's, more like "get a wild hair and buy something" and then toss in in a corner and forgetaboutit, yes I have a bad memory. So since the election I've been somewhat concerned about "things" and decided I need to organize my junk silver and such.. kinda like folks did prior to Y2K. So long story short, I came across 9 GSA issued uncirculated CC silver dollars, the one's that come encapsulated in the felt lined display box along with the serial numbered certificates and says "Carson City Uncirculated Silver Dollar". I also have 1 unopened GSA issued uncirculated Morgan dollar that also comes encapsulated but rather says "United States Uncirculated Dollar" and there's no guarantee of which mint it'll be. Four of the 9 have what appears to be mint year stamped on the shipping box; 1878, 1881 & 1885 while the other 5 don't. Anyway, I have 3 opened GSA CC sets with the original shipping boxes and GSA labels that are identical to and have the similar dates to the unopened boxes above so am sure they are GSA CC's. What I'd like to know is should I open them up or are they more valuable to a collector in the original unopened shipping boxes, sort of like a novelty premium? I don't collect Morgans. Thank you! Edited by gosilvergo
11/23/2008 6:06 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Do the opened boxes with the original shipping boxes also have dates on them? And if so, do the dates stamped on the boxes match the dates on the coins? And at the moment I would NOT open them. (I've seen unopened boxes sell for silly money. Your most likely to get a common 1884 , but the few I've seen have gone for well above 1884 money. People like to gamble.)
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I agree, I have seen sealed GSA boxes sell for crazy money because everyone wants a 79-CC and they have a strong curiosity to find out what is in there and will pay a premium to be the first one to ever see it since its been sealed even though the little voice in the back of their head is telling them its probably a 82-84-CC in there
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New Member
 United States
13 Posts |
My 3 opened original shipping boxes have no markings besides the shipping labels and postal marks. Of my 9 unopened boxes, 6 are off-white and 3 dark green. Four of the off-white boxes have 4 digits, what I could assume to be years: 2 x 1878, 1881 & 1885. One dark green box has the 4 digit number 8315 which I can't extrapolate into a year.  Edited by gosilvergo
11/23/2008 5:05 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
thats amazing, I wish I was old enough when these went on sale and bought some like that. The 1878-CC GSA is the one 1878 Morgan I have never owned yet.
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
I was twelve then and my father bought nearly everything the mint was peddling back then, mostly for resale in his pawn shop and later his antique store. As I recall, the GSA had a limit since the order number is different on each and addressed to various family members.
I'm really tempted to open one of the 1878 marked boxes!
Edited by gosilvergo
11/23/2008 5:10 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
One dark green box has the 4 digit number 8315 which I can't extrapolate into a year. Could indicate 1883 from the $15 mixed date category. |
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Valued Member
United States
207 Posts |
I know your what you are talking about. I have one that's the same but mine is not as pricey as yours  I would probably just open a few just to see if I did have an 1879 CC but its up to you. I wish I had been around when they were doing this with the morgans |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1801 Posts |
I think if it were I, I would open them all and then send the best ones to NGC for grading. They jump in value significantly when they are certifed at 64 and above. I wouldn't give anyone else the pleasure of opening those treasures. Congratulations to your dad for having gotten so many in the original GSA sales. I bought one from the GSA, wish I had bought more. (I was a kid then and they were expensive for a lawn mowing budget).
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
If it were me, I would open them! It would kill me wondering what might have been in there. Keep in mind that for me, knowledge is more important than any potential financial gain.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2540 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1267 Posts |
They are worth far more unopened, even the common dates.  |
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Valued Member
United States
300 Posts |
I think they'd be worth more than they are now, if left unopened
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I could never open them if they were mine, I still have proof sets that my grandfather bought back in early 50's and 60's that are sealed and I refuse to open them. I will tell you you will probably double the price of even a common date coin if left sealed compared to what it would be if known for a fact it was a common date coin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5604 Posts |
I will say that if you are looking to sell them and make the most $$$$ I would list them on e-bay, ORIGINAL GSA UNOPENED CARSON CITY MINT Morgan silver dollars, this will for sure bring a silly price for them, I have seen 1 auction sell that way for almost $400.00+ dollars, this was months ago, for one.If you want to start collecting morgans, this is a better than good way to do so, these are sure to be an amazing sight and who knows, you could get very lucky and get some beauties, in other words, if you want $$$$$ dont open them, if you want to keep them and start a morgan collection, open them and please let us know what you found, just my opinion, BE WELL, MORGANS DAD... PS:BRYAN, AFTER ALL THAT I HAVE SEEN YOU POST, YOU DO NOT HAVE A 1879-CC?.i MUST SAY I HAVE SEEN SOME OF YOUR MORGANS, VERY NICE! |
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New Member
United States
13 Posts |
Well looks like I'm now a collector, fellas! I opened the four dated boxes and they did contain their corresponding coins. Encouraged with prospect of unearthing a rare gem I then opened the unmarked boxes. Ha! Just as you said (Brian1315) they in fact did contain the common years 1882-4. One of the 1881's looks to be a Vam-3 as well as an 1882 which looks to be a very nice MS specimen. Now I just fell off the turnip truck regarding VAM's so were discovered only upon my first cursory look using the VAM website guide, so I'm sure there's one or two more. The box that was stamped 8315 was in fact unusual. This 1883's plastic holder only says Carson City Silver Dollar and has no serial numbered certificate. Rather its paper says this coin was culled out and offered as a "Mixed Carson City" due to tarnish but still offered at $15. If you remember, the GSA offered some slightly circulated CC's at $5 that were shipped in padded envelopes but didn't have the display boxes. Anyway, I now know the GSA offered (at least) 3 varieties of CC dollars. Anyway, I'm working on setting up a photography table with decent lighting and offset flash. There's several CC's I'd like to have additional opinions about. Thanks! -Bobby Edited by gosilvergo
11/25/2008 10:47 am
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Replies: 19 / Views: 17,150 |
Posted 11/23/2008 11:47 am
