Yes, I remember them well. When my Grandpa, who lived in Maine, came down to visit. Those where the days, bulging, weighed down pockets filled with glistening silver.

My first love affair with Morgans came back in the 50's. My grandfather lived in the state of Maine. He was a die-hard Yankee fan. Once a year he came to New York to see his famed Yankes play in the pennant. He also graced Mom, Dad and myself with a vist to our house. We then proceeded to a famous Italian restaurant somewhere near the Hotel Picadilly in N.Y.C. He always stayed at this hotel everytime he came. I think he had friends there from Knights of Columbus he knew from Maine. After ordering, while waiting for my delicious plate of lasagna, came the feared question!! "So, Joey, how are you doing in school?" Well I never seemed to answer that question. It was asked of me but intended for Mom to answer. "His grades are good", she answered and then proceeded to tell him of my report card grades. When all the sweating subsided for me, I noticed Grandpa reaching in his pocket and handing me one or more Morgan Silver Dollars. Of course, the number of dollars depended on how well he approved of my grades (with a little help if the Yankees were winning). Ah, a pocket full of Silver! I couldn't wait until the next day to show my friends. I would hold on to these gems for almost a full week until the urge to SPEND them on baseball cards overcame me.

I regretted it the next day, wishing I had those big, heavy, shiny Silver Dollars back in my pocket. Now I would have to wait until next year studying hard to keep my grades up for my Grandpa's approval and praying the Yankees would go to the Pennant next year.

I'll always rember those Silver dollars. It was many, many years later that I got into collecting them. I must say, the thrill is the same whenever I am buying or waiting on a Morgan, only now I know enough not to spend them.