I was reading Septembers issue of Coinage today and they had quite the point counter-point articles on the King of Coins as far as collecting goes. The lincoln cent or the Morgan Dollar. Both made great cases, but in my mind the lincoln cent is King. It is what I cut my teeth on, the first set I really worked on, the third set I completed and I still buy lincoln cents even now. On the other had I own 35 different date mm Morgans, I actually own several more than that, but I don't count the multiples of certain dates I bought as investments. While I love Morgans, the look, the feel, the weight of that silver in my hand. I just couldn't declare it king, due to the fact that they are soooo expensive as a whole, even a beat up one is going to start at $15. I asked my wife what she thought, she took one look and said, the morgan of course. So how do you guys feel about it, who is king supreme in the collecting world. Lincoln, Morgan, other??? Let me know
I too started out with Lincolns and still cherish them today. My rich buddies are gold collectors but I like silver. Do you like them built for speed or comfort? (Talking about coins!)
I voted for Lincolns aswell. I think they're best not only because of their affordability, but also because their long history. I think they're the longest running U.S. coin, but I could be wrong on that one. I guess the best way to describe Lincoln cents is 'intricate simplicity'.
I chose Lincolns as well. Simply because so many people do start off with them and it's a set that many can still actually complete. I personally "collect" neither Lincolns nor Morgans but still have managed an almost complete set of Lincolns over the years. Is an SVDB expensive yes. Is a 93 Morgan REALLY expensive - yes. Now, personally I would have really said Two Cent Pieces but I doubt that many would agree there. Just happens to be my favorite and I know I'm in the EXTREME minority. Bottom line is ALL coins are good. Whatever strikes your fancy.
There is something about silvers dollars that make them special. Perhaps, that is why so many collect them. For me, it is silver dollars all the way. While coin collecting really is each to their own desires, I have found nothing that compares to the look and feel of a silver dollar. As to the Morgan dollar, it is my favorite as I have collected these my whole life. As for copper coins, I own only one copper coin and it is an 1864 shield two cent piece. In my humble view, 90% silver is an excellent medium for coin artistry and durability. I have always felt that silver was 'real' money. By extension, I cann't say I have felt that way about clad coinage.
Well, according to the title of your thread, it has to be lincolns. "In the day", that's what got you started collecting - you collected pennies because your dad, mom, uncle, grandfather, etc. would gladly give them to you. Having said that, I'm not hot on them. I just have circulated examples and they're dark brown, relatively small and really don't look that great in an album. Same goes for Indian Heads (at least for me). It's just a bunch of dark brown coins in a folder. BUT, they have to be the king of coin collecting - I've seen too many youngsters at coin shows who are given handfuls of lincolns. Let's hope that the tradition lives on.....
I was about to post this poll myself, having just read that article. I have to go with the Morgans. Lincolns can be fun, and they're relatively cheap, but they can't compete with the old silver dollars.
I stood in the book store and read the article but didnt buy the magazine for some unknown reason. I've always considered the Lincoln Cent to be the King of Coins. Its also what I started with and still continue to buy them when one catches my eye.
I got to go with Morgans. There is just something about the silver dollars. I think it is the romance factor. Something about a cool customer in a western flipping a silver dollar to a kid on the street or onto a bar just kind of glamorizes it.
The British 1797 twopence. It's a coin for everyone, the prized fine of the complete begginer to the gilt proof of the advanced collector...
Morgan's and second is not Lincolns but Buffalo Nickels. Morgan span the entire reach of collectors from Newbies to big spenders. Morgans are from the Hey Day of the mint. The Morgan has an elegant and seeable design. The Morgans can NOT be found in circulation (otherwise you would have likely started with Morgans instead of pennies). Aside which, really copper sucks for coins. Put a fine quality Morgan in a strangers hand and their eyes light up. Nothing does that like the little school girl who could. When you think Money - you think Morgans. In fact, if anything would be King instead of Morgan's could it be anything other than a St Augustine Double Eagle? Ruben
I voted for Lincoln Cents. From my contacts with people in general, coin dealers I know, collectors I know, the vast majority have, do or will collect pennies (Lincoln Cents) Many average people just going into coins do not even know what a Morgan Silver Dollar is but everyone knows what a Lincoln Cent is. Every kid that collects, collects cents. Go to coin shows and every dealer had Lincoln Cents but not all have Morgan Dollars. Why, because everyone may buy a cent but only limited amount buy Morgans. They are only famous among coin collectors of very serious and extended periods of time. However, there are many, many millions that collect and know all about Lincoln Cents.
I've always been a Morgan man myself. There's nothing like a nice big silver coin full of detail in my opinion. I like the Lincolns as well, but it's been an ever-growing frustration finding decent cents for decent prices these days. When I pay a premium for a Morgan, I feel like I got my money's worth....can't say the same with Lincolns. Guy~
Lincolns Lincoln here too duhhh:bow: They are the most collected coin in the world period. Only going to freak out even more in 2009 I am hedging on that. As a kid, I used to go get " unsearched " bags of wheats for $75 in Detroit, WOW, those were the days. The 1909 SVDB is more famous and known with the "public" than any morgan ever was, heck, even the 1913 Lib nickel is more famous than any single Morgan. I love Morgans, own many many nice ones, but do not collect them at all. I just like them cause they are so big, heavy and cool. Lincolns
I've have no aquantences who collect Lincolns. I know a lot of people wth stacks of Wheates hidden in the sock draw, but no collectors. And most people don't have a clue what a Lincoln Cent is. They do know a "Penny", and some even know that its Lincoln on the "Penny". Fewer still know that Lincoln was the guy who freed the slaves. This gets to be a silly discussion really Put a Morgan and a Lincoln into a persons hand and see which gets his attention. Ruben Ruben