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in response to key largo coins post ATS

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If monster toned Morgans are so easy to find would you mind throwing me a bone? And while you are at it bring a couple extra bones because I know a couple others here would like one as well :banana: honestly though... has the market ever been so dry?

 

Edited to add: I am talking about monsters... like real monsters.

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I had 4 monsters about 6 months ago I posted for a friend on E-Bay. He was asking fair to a little high money and the bottom feeders weren't biting. Really beautiful coins are impossible to find but when they come up the sky's the limit. What part of that don't they understand?

 

 

Here's a few of my less than satisfactory pics.

 

p><p>   <img src=[/img] ab20a220-6268-4cbd-a97e-740e2b077ad4_zps94f82b5f.jpg[/url][/img]

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I had 4 monsters about 6 months ago I posted for a friend on E-Bay. He was asking fair to a little high money and the bottom feeders weren't biting. Really beautiful coins are impossible to find but when they come up the sky's the limit. What part of that don't they understand?

 

 

Here's a few of my less than satisfactory pics.

 

p><p>   <img src=[/img] ab20a220-6268-4cbd-a97e-740e2b077ad4_zps94f82b5f.jpg[/url][/img]

 

I wouldn't mind owning any of those coins in my collection but I cant say I would call any of them monsters. Possibly coin number 4 could be a monster depending on the pop in hand. Once again they are all pretty coins but don't meet my personal criteria for a monster

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Actually they are readily available at Major shows for major asking prices (thumbs u

 

Well somebody should grab them from the major circuit for folks that cant fly around to every major circuit. (thumbs u

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The February Legend-Morphy auction has a few!

 

I don't see any

Ex Sonnier 1880S has pullaway in the hair and makes it appear dirty and dingy in that area. To be a monster a qualify for the price that coins going for I shouldn't have to make any exceptions.

 

1887 EX Sonnier- If I hadn't seen this coin in hand I would call it a monster all day long, but I have and the colors just kind of sit there. No real pop to speak of.

 

Given the option I would take the 1887 over the 1880S and that's because the hair on that 1880S is just nasty!

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I think you should entertain some of us by posting a few. :)

 

I wish I had Monster(s) to post lol

 

Here are some that fall just short.

Gash on cheek keeps it from the realm of Monsterland

0bdc32a327_zpsf84f4c73.jpg

 

This coin is such a please to twirl around in the light and is amazing. But although the pic does not show it.... the cheek is somewhat baggy on angles... Great Great coin to look at!!! But no monsterland

Consignments141027_zps13c77f40.jpg

 

This coin has hands down the nicest toning I have seen. Fun thing about toning is different strokes for different folks and the colors on this coin light my fire. Speaking of fire the colors radiate off this coin, But at the end of the day I cannot bring myself to combine the word Monster and MS63.... No monsterland

 

slabo_zps2c3e034d.jpg

 

ALAS! We arrive at a monster. Colors radiate off the coin. Perfect mixture of colors. No distracting marks of any kind. Full coverage. Textile..... No exceptions need to be made for this coin .One don't have to say I love this coin but I wish it didn't have this.

 

1885.jpg

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Thanks for the entertainment. ;)

Those are pretty darn nice.

 

I had my kids with me at FUN and my daughter seems to really like monster toners. She has expensive taste! I wouldn't mind picking up some nice toners for her one day to further spark her interest in coins. Need to add some kindling to the fire to keep it burning! :) They will be far from monsters though.

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Actually they are readily available at Major shows for major asking prices (thumbs u

 

Well somebody should grab them from the major circuit for folks that cant fly around to every major circuit. (thumbs u

 

 

The market is too thin for them these days with only a few deep pocket collectors actively pursuing them so you won't catch me shelling out $2000+ for a toned Morgan at a show as I can't afford to wait for that occasional buyer to come along and hope that they love the coin as much as I did when I purchased it. I do much better with coins priced in the $200 to say $800 range as the market is strong at that price range.

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Actually they are readily available at Major shows for major asking prices (thumbs u

 

Well somebody should grab them from the major circuit for folks that cant fly around to every major circuit. (thumbs u

 

 

The market is too thin for them these days with only a few deep pocket collectors actively pursuing them so you won't catch me shelling out $2000+ for a toned Morgan at a show as I can't afford to wait for that occasional buyer to come along and hope that they love the coin as much as I did when I purchased it. I do much better with coins priced in the $200 to say $800 range as the market is strong at that price range.

 

You would know better than me how well your sales are going but I was actually quite impressed with your ability to move some very nice one this time last year. Once again nobody would no better about ebay sales of toners than you

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Actually they are readily available at Major shows for major asking prices (thumbs u

 

Well somebody should grab them from the major circuit for folks that cant fly around to every major circuit. (thumbs u

 

Well quite the little feather I ruffled of yours:)

 

Considering you dont attend the major shows you dont really have an opinion based on facts in the matter:) At any major show monster toned morgans are readily available, you can find dozens and dozens at a show like fun. Now they are not priced in reality however they are there and available. The thread I posted in was in a response to someone saying there were a bunch in holders hidden away and unknown, that is simply not true and I was stating facts not opinion in response. John E cash has about 4 currently for sale, ebay currently has about 16 listed, that only took me about 30 seconds to find roughly 20, thats just me doing a quick easy search and not even looking at more than two websites.

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I think it is pointless to talk about monsters until we define what a monster is. You always see posts like this, and people post pretty coins and all.... but not monsters. The only coin in this thread that has claims to monster-hood is that last 1885 that DF posted.

 

So, how do you define Monster? I have some pretty clear criteria in my mind, but I'm really curious if there is a definition somewhere - or if we can work one out so that we all know what we are talking about when we say "monster". Because, no offense intended to RT2 (those are pretty coins) - but none of them are what I would call "monsters."

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I think it is pointless to talk about monsters until we define what a monster is. You always see posts like this, and people post pretty coins and all.... but not monsters. The only coin in this thread that has claims to monster-hood is that last 1885 that DF posted.

 

So, how do you define Monster? I have some pretty clear criteria in my mind, but I'm really curious if there is a definition somewhere - or if we can work one out so that we all know what we are talking about when we say "monster". Because, no offense intended to RT2 (those are pretty coins) - but none of them are what I would call "monsters."

 

This will be an interesting exercise. If I'm understanding what DM and Physics-fan are saying, not only does the coin have to have incredible color, but it needs to be high grade. Defining incredible color will be interesting as it seems DM likes the neon green in his toning. Does the toning need to have a few color bands? Does it need to cover 50% of the surface? Does it need to jump off the coin or can it be subtle and need some angle to jump? I'm interested to hear opinions.

 

Below is a 82-S MS67 in a PCGS holder and a CAC sticker. The colors are very striking, but not a rainbow by any stretch of the imagination. The holdered pictures shows a slight crescent shape between 9 - 11 where another coin sat on top of this one as it toned. I love this coin, but would not be offended at all if it's not considered a monster. The colors in-hand are very close to the picture of the coin without the holder.

 

1882SMS67_zps70ace931.jpg

1882SMS67CAC_zps87597c23.jpg

 

 

 

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The two criteria that I will start with, and which I think most will agree with, are as follows:

 

1. The coin must be at least MS-66 (although I've heard plenty of people use 67 as the minimum grade).

 

2. The coin must have blazing above average luster, even under/through the toning.

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I will post a few coins below that I think have nice color however the grades hold them back from being a true monster, I think a monster would have to be at least a 66, now there can be coins with monster color in lower grades and those are actually very common. I am not sure how many here are familiar with the battle creek sale but there were some serious monsters in that collection.

0d348af0.jpg

755f706c.jpg

 

Now this coin in my opinion is a flat out monster, based on the date and mm combination this color is simply impossible to find however the grade holds it back but again considering the date and mm I think it qualifies

099c0372.jpg

 

pretty nice even color on this one, more of a pastel but again not a monster

1885NGCMS64STAR3375381-003OBV.jpg

 

Monster color on these but low grades

1884-ONGCMS64STAR3257606-004OBV.jpg

1884-ONGCMS64STAR3257606-008OBV.jpg

1884-ONGCMS64STAR3257606-002OBV.jpg

1884-ONGCMS64STAR3257606-003OBV.jpg

1884-ONGCMS64STAR3257606-007OBV.jpg

 

And here is the best 1885 cc out there, pcgs ogh ms 67 cac, purchased for 14900.00 via stacks several years ago

1885CC010.jpg

1885CCDBL-1.jpg

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The two criteria that I will start with, and which I think most will agree with, are as follows:

 

1. The coin must be at least MS-66 (although I've heard plenty of people use 67 as the minimum grade).

 

2. The coin must have blazing above average luster, even under/through the toning.

 

I see no reason why a "monster" needs to grade at least MS66. I believe that to be an arbitrary, needless and pointless cutoff. I've seen plenty of MS65 and MS64 monsters and some others graded lower than that.

 

I also don't see a practical way to define "monster". Different people with different experience, perceptions, perspectives and tastes will be viewing and assessing them. Unless you want to use something like "One look at a 'monster' will cause even a highly experienced/knowledgeable toning enthusiast to say 'wow' or something similar".

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I will post a few coins below that I think have nice color however the grades hold them back from being a true monster, I think a monster would have to be at least a 66, now there can be coins with monster color in lower grades and those are actually very common. I am not sure how many here are familiar with the battle creek sale but there were some serious monsters in that collection...

 

If you're going to distinguish "monsters" from coins with "monster" color, than a great many color-free "monsters" (of outrageous quality and beauty) exist, as well.

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Actually they are readily available at Major shows for major asking prices (thumbs u

 

Well somebody should grab them from the major circuit for folks that cant fly around to every major circuit. (thumbs u

 

Well quite the little feather I ruffled of yours:)

 

Considering you dont attend the major shows you dont really have an opinion based on facts in the matter:) At any major show monster toned morgans are readily available, you can find dozens and dozens at a show like fun. Now they are not priced in reality however they are there and available. The thread I posted in was in a response to someone saying there were a bunch in holders hidden away and unknown, that is simply not true and I was stating facts not opinion in response. John E cash has about 4 currently for sale, ebay currently has about 16 listed, that only took me about 30 seconds to find roughly 20, thats just me doing a quick easy search and not even looking at more than two websites.

 

One of the bad things about an online forum is there is no emotion portrayed in the text. I can assure you that no feathers were ruffled. Hence the dancing banana. :) However your first sentence seems a tad hostile. I do however get to attend the major circuit I just have to wait for it to make it up my way. Ya see FUN is easy for you to attend because your in Florida. Im in Michigan and CSNS is right around the corner. Then we get the ANA for a tad longer. Next, I think your definition of Monster might differ from mine. I don't see any in Brandons inventory (No longer Jhon E Cash). I do however see two that just miss. Great color coins but ones two baggy and the other has dull patches of wispy dirty toning. As for Ebay god only knows which you are talking about but once again feel free to throw a bone :)

 

Lastly, there is an old timer and pioneer in the Rainbow Toned Morgan Market. He has two coins that everybody has drooled over but he wont sell them. Most should know who I am referring to. He has told me on multiple cases to stick to finding the mercs because he has "Multiple" clients with SDB's full of Morgan Dollar monsters. Makes sense to me. I mean after all where did all those beauties he scooped up for years in the wild end up? He knows the early days far better then we do. He was ahead of the curve and certainly seen more than any of us ever have. He has no reason to lie to me and I believe his accounts to be accurate. So if we wait long enough I am sure some of these hoards will make there way to the market :)

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I agree with Mark.... I believe that the MS64 range is where Monster Toners can begin. And by that I mean actual grade. Not what the holder says. MS63's should typically be way baggy and distracting.

 

KeyLargo- That 1883O is certainly a monster in my book. I don't see anything wrong with it. If in hand it has nice luster and pop (appears have that) than in my book its a monster.

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The two criteria that I will start with, and which I think most will agree with, are as follows:

 

1. The coin must be at least MS-66 (although I've heard plenty of people use 67 as the minimum grade).

 

2. The coin must have blazing above average luster, even under/through the toning.

 

I see no reason why a "monster" needs to grade at least MS66. I believe that to be an arbitrary, needless and pointless cutoff. I've seen plenty of MS65 and MS64 monsters and some others graded lower than that.

 

I also don't see a practical way to define "monster". Different people with different experience, perceptions, perspectives and tastes will be viewing and assessing them. Unless you want to use something like "One look at a 'monster' will cause even a highly experienced/knowledgeable toning enthusiast to say 'wow' or something similar".

 

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. I posted one of my toned morgans in a high grade that has beautiful toning. I don't think it's a monster. But I love the coin.

 

Some of the coins that DM posted, IMO, while sporting interesting toning, I don't care for. Does it make my opinion right and others wrong? No.

 

It's like trying to choose between a Lamborghini and a Ferrari. Both are Super Cars, but I believe their styling attracts different buyers. I personally like Ferrari's. They tend to be more elegant in design. Flowing lines, understated. The Lamborghini designs tend to be more in your face, brash, look at me.

 

 

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Attractively toned (tarnished) silver coins are uncommon in most series. There are more in the Morgan series simply because most of the coins never entered commerce: they sat undisturbed.

 

I am not aware of any accepted definition of "monster" as it relates to a coin.

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