Would you send for grading, keep as is, or sell these two Morgan dollars. 0

[Coinbuf]

These two Morgan dollars I have had for many years, bought them from a local coin shop back in the days of bid boards.   These two, and a few others, have been sitting in my undecided box for ages it seems and I'm still conflicted.   Most of the others are not super interesting, mostly just white AU or low MS coins, and I've been thinking about putting them on the bay, so would you add these to the sell pile or hold.

 

[Fenntucky Mike]

I'd sell, mainly because I'm not a Morgan fan and would much rather put that money elsewhere. Toning still seems to be in and commanding premiums, to me the market seems to be softening a little which would be another reason to sell while the selling is still good as opposed to holding them long term. Especially if you're on the fence. 

EDIT TO ADD: Grading? I'm on the fence, I probably wouldn't out of convenience and timing, unless I thought I was leaving a lot of $'s on the table. 

Edited August 31, 2023 by Fenntucky Mike

[VKurtB]

I like ‘em. I’d hold. But then I nearly never sell anything. And I don’t concentrate on Morgans, even a little bit. 

[zadok]

...hold the '85 sell the '04....

[World Colonial]

Depends what kind of collection you or anyone else wants.

I don't make impulse purchases and hardly ever buy anything for my "side collections" anymore either.  I did just buy one of the tougher dates in the Boliviano series though.  It's a set I intend too eventually complete.

I'm also looking to sell coins from discontinued "side collections" and past impulse purchases.

However, I recognize that most others prefer to have broader variety than I do.

One way I look at it when contemplating a sale is whether I would buy the same or similar coin for about the same money (in my case, if available).  If the answer is "no", time to sell.

[Henri Charriere]

Silver is slated to outperform gold. Why sell anything unless you have to?  This is ultimately a personal decision you're going to have to make.

[Hoghead515]

If they were mine Id definately keep them. But I dont sell hardly anything. I really like both of those. Espically the 1885. Love the toning on it. If you did sell it would probably fetch a good price due to the demand of toned coins. Those are some beauties. That 85 is stunning. If I were fortunate to add a beauty like that to my collection Id definately keep it there and pass it on for my kids to admire. 

Edited August 31, 2023 by Hoghead515

[J P M]

I like them both also and with the tone you will get a good price.

[CIII]

I love both of those coins, especially the 85.  I would keep them or sell ME the 1885.  Hehehe..J/k

[powermad5000]

This is a tough question for someone like me. I like my Morgans to be as close to blast white as possible. I like Morgans with original frost. That said, I do have a few with toning, but those are well worn specimens in some of the more key dates that I'll never be able to afford in MS. The 85 doesn't have the "rainbow" toning that people are going nuts over with all the reds and yellows and blues. But it hasn't toned in an unattractive fashion either. You are getting a positive response on its toning on here and I would expect the same response on the free market. For an 1885 (P) that is probably hovering somewhere around the $150 range and needs to get into MS 66 just to get over the $300 mark, I wouldn't have any problem letting that go (if you are trying to make room, upgrade, or just don't like the coin anymore). The 1904 (P) on the other hand, I would definitely send for grading. At MS 61 its showing $135 in the guide. After that, each grade point starts making bigger and bigger jumps in value with MS 63 going over the $300 mark and 64 over $500. To me yours is on the fence between 62 and 63 and could go either way. 

[Coinbuf]

Thanks for the replies and thoughts, while ultimately the choice is mine to make it is always interesting to listen to other perspectives than just your own.   These (and several others) are all extras as I have other examples of these dates in my certified sets as well as my Dansco albums.   There was a time when I was in more of an acquisition/hoarder mode and bought lots of stuff and duplicates of many dates like these.   I did just make a large purchase so I have been thinking it would be nice to begin replenishing the piggy bank by selling off some of the extras, although I have to admit like some collectors I'm not a seller very often.   

I mentioned grading, the idea there is that it sounds like CAC grading will open its operations to current CAC members in a month or so and I have considered adding at least the 1885 to my first submission.   I have found the CAC graded coins that I have seen so far rather interesting, and I think that would be a good one to see how a toned coin like that falls on the CAC grading scale.

Ahh decisions, decisions.  

 

 

[Lem E]

Not a Morgan dollar guy by any means but I will say I like the 1885. What do you think it would grade out as?

[CIII]

I have an 1885 MS62 CAC in which to compare, and I would say that 1885 would easily grade a MS65 or maybe even an MS66.  What say you?

[Newenglandrarities]

I agree with some above.  I very much like the look of the 85.  Now, I’m not expert on the market for Morgan’s but personally I find the coin quite attractive.  I don’t know if the value warrants grading, but I think that piece would have a premium at best, and more appealing at worse with regards to selling it.  I personally would keep it.  

[Hoghead515]

If I had a Morgan in my collection as lovely as the 85 it would break my heart to sell it. I really really like that one. I would keep it and admire it until my days were up and then pass it on for family to admire. My sons are starting to get into collecting more. Espically my youngest. Ive got a couple beautiful Morgans Im gonna enjoy hopefully for several years and then pass them on for them to enjoy. I got a few Morgans but 2 of them are very appealing. But I understand if you want to sell and put the money into something else. If I were going to go about it id have them slabbed and send them into an auction like GC. I could see people getting into a bid war over that 85. Thats just me and my opinion. You got way many more years experience than I do and know more about how to go about selling it. Id say it sure is a hard decision. 

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

I am with @zadok, the 1885 is very attractive, and if I were to keep one - that would be it.  That said, both are nice.  I would submit the 1885 just to keep it nice and preserve the toning.

Note:  I don't sell coins.  Once I get a beautiful coin in my hand... it can only be pried from my cold, dead fingers.

Edited September 1, 2023 by The Neophyte Numismatist

[Hoghead515]

On 9/1/2023 at 4:26 PM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

I am with @zadok, the 1885 is very attractive, and if I were to keep one - that would be it.  That said, both are nice.  

Note:  I don't sell coins.  Once I get a beautiful coin in my hand... it can only be pried from my cold, dead fingers.

Same here. If I had to make a decision and either get rid of my coins or my wife. Id sure miss that woman.    Just kidding. Hope I dont every get put in that position. I love them both dearly. 

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

On 9/1/2023 at 4:31 PM, Hoghead515 said:

Same here. If I had to make a decision and either get rid of my coins or my wife. Id sure miss that woman.    Just kidding. Hope I dont every get put in that position. I love them both dearly. 

All you have to do is marry the right woman (and lie).

edit note: dropping zeros is not lying.  It's just bad math.  

Edited September 1, 2023 by The Neophyte Numismatist

[Hoghead515]

On 9/1/2023 at 4:33 PM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

All you have to do is marry the right woman (and lie).

edit note: dropping zeros is not lying.  It's just bad math.  

I done messed up and married one thats smarter than me. I cant get nothing over on her.  Ive tried before. She found a couple of my coin receipts. Sorry to go off topic @Coinbuf and butcher your thread. 

[rrantique]

On 8/31/2023 at 4:45 PM, Coinbuf said:

These two Morgan dollars I have had for many years, bought them from a local coin shop back in the days of bid boards.   These two, and a few others, have been sitting in my undecided box for ages it seems and I'm still conflicted.   Most of the others are not super interesting, mostly just white AU or low MS coins, and I've been thinking about putting them on the bay, so would you add these to the sell pile or hold.

 

I like them both,  Keep them

[Coinbuf]

On 9/1/2023 at 12:36 PM, Lem E said:

Not a Morgan dollar guy by any means but I will say I like the 1885. What do you think it would grade out as?

Neither coin would grade high, the 85 I grade as MS63 it might squeak into a 64 holder, the 04 is a slider that I would call AU but it might make it into a 61 holder.   I like both coins just fine and both are fine kept raw, f I do send the 85 for grading it would be to CACG just as a test to see what grade a toned coin like this would receive there.

 

On 9/1/2023 at 12:55 PM, CIII said:

I have an 1885 MS62 CAC in which to compare, and I would say that 1885 would easily grade a MS65 or maybe even an MS66.  What say you?

See above, I would be shocked if it graded better than MS64 anywhere, well perhaps at ICG.

 

[Sandon]

   Although based on the photos both coins appear to be mint state, I can't really estimate a numerical grade for either or be sure that either coin isn't really Ch. AU and/or "cleaned" without being able to examine them in person from different angles and at different magnification levels. I try not to base a judgment about a coin on colorful toning as on the 1885, which I sometimes like but always bear in mind may be artificially contrived. 

   I would prefer the 1904 as a coin to hold onto because it is far less common than the 1885. The NGC Census shows 96,350 submissions of 1885s (including PL and DPL) numerically graded in all grades versus 5,854 1904s. PCGS Population Report data is similar, with 86,957 submissions of 1885s versus 7,759 1904s. The 1885s also tend to come in higher grades, with the modal (most common) grade awarded being "64" for the 1885 and "63" for the 1904.  The 1904 is often dull and indifferently struck. This one looks rather nice for the date. Even if it is an AU, it might be more worth keeping than the 1885.

[CIII]

If you do send to CACG, I would definitely be curious as to what they think as well.

[J P M]

My guess is the 1885 would get a MS 63 with hopes it does not get a art tone label. I think the 1904 has a chance for a MS64 

[powermad5000]

I think the 85 would grade MS 62. As I stated before, I think the 04 is on the fence between MS 62 and MS 63. My humble opinion.

[CIII]

I'm just posting my 1885 MS62 CAC example for comparison purposes.  

[CIII]

[RWB]

Send both to ANACS. That will give you a reliable opinion on condition, and you can decide if you want to have either in NGC plastic after you have the grade info. Just a thought

[Coinbuf]

Thanks for the additional thoughts and ideas, don't know what the outcome will be just yet but I'll circle back and update once I decide.   @CIII that is a very nice 1885 you have, looks like it should have graded higher, maybe just not enough luster in the eyes of the graders, but a fine example for the date.