That's right, those three coins are on my wish/target list (I feel the Strike and Luster on these three are outstanding). After much searching at coin shows last year (including the ANA) I just got an 81S in a MS65 PCGS holder. This was at a LCS not a show. I had to pay brick and mortar prices but this was the best coin I could find in the type and grade. So after more thought I want all three in 66! The coin show circuit near me starts in two weeks. If my luck is like last year I am not holding my breath. These are common coins in high grades and I don't know how easy they are to find. Any suggestions?
Common or not, there's absolutely nothing wrong with paying up for the best example you can afford or feel comfortable with. Without knowing anything about your area or situation, it's tough to say what you should expect, but my guess is that you'll have at least a few opportunities and different examples to choose from. Still, don't settle.
@BooksB4Coins I live close to Denver and there are 10 local coin shows during the year. That and a monthly coin club where there are dealers too. There are several coin shops around me also.
Based upon this I'd think you'll be fine. Like I said, just be patient and wait for the right examples.
You definitely should be able to find examples easily so much so that I would be pretty picky. I've owned probably 25 79-82S' in 66-67 and some you can't put down and others you tire of quick. Stay patient for the former because they're out there. You may have to pay a bit more for them as well but they're still incredibly affordable relative to the eye appeal you can get compared to similar coins in other series.
Heritage will have several of these in almost every auction. My current favorite is linked below. 1880-S $1 MS66 PCGS. CAC
It seems you didn’t buy the first MS65 you came across. So it must be an eye-appealing coin, right? If you upgrade, don’t look at the label/slab, but try to get a better coin. I own at least 2 MS65 Morgans from the 80-82S era which I like much more than my MS66 Morgans.
Yes, I looked at quite a few 81S's at shows and everywhere last year. The dealer who I bought it from had 7 others that I had to choose from. He actually helped me pick the best one. I brought it to my coin club and showed people I respect a lot and they all agree it is a solid 65.
Not from the 80-82-S era, but look at below Morgans and tell me you really care about the number on the label? ;-) https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/3968102-031/65/ https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/3968102-008/65/
Yeah, I'll be open minded about online stuff but I prefer in person. I think HA would be a place to get one of these and see if I am happy with it. These particular coins aren't going to cost me an arm and a leg.
What do you guys think of this one besides the price being a little high? https://www.ebay.com/itm/1880-S-US-...263572&hash=item56a7a7a823:g:a7gAAOSwbihaR955
For a REALLY nice 66 of that date, I would go $200. Toning complicates that, as it can increase the price drastically, if the toning is very attractive.
Bman33, since you are interested in those 3 specific years, are you going to buy a DMPL? They might be the 3 easiest years to find one and the lowest priced DMPLs.
I can get the price down to $250 with a coupon. If you are saying $200 that makes sense. I noticed Grey Sheet has it at $185 in a 66. CAC could bump it up to $220 I think (20% bump in price?). I am not interested in DMPL's right now. Now that you have me thinking about it I could go DMPL later on if I find some GEMS.