Hello...I am NEW to the world of coins. Recently my father passed away and left me quite a few coin sets, I'd like to start researching them and find out values as I am sure some of them are quite rare. I have a few sets of "10-piece New Orleans Mint Morgan Collection" in the box with all of the papers - does anyone know what this would be worth or tell me where I can get started finding this out???? Thank you and ANY info or help would be appreciated!!!!
Hi and Welcome, This is always one of the most difficult questions to answer for someone just starting out. First let me say that I am sorry to hear of your father's passing. The next thing is always difficult to explain to someone who is new to coins. The condition of the coin means everything. It would be possible to put together a set of 10, lesser condition O mint, (New Orleans Mint) Morgan dollars for less than $150.00. Many times sets such as the ones you are talking about are coins that are polished or that are not in the highest of conditions. Certificates that come with these sets are without meaning as they only say that the coins are what they are, Morgan Dollars. That being said, it may be possible that if your father put the sets together himself, he may have selected higher grade coins for these sets. I suspect though that they may have been mass marketed sets that vary in worth. Dealers and experienced collectors don't pay more for pre-packaged sets that may have been put together for sale on Shopping Channels, for example. They will only pay what the coins are worth. As stated, condition is everything and grading a coin can be complicated for a new collector or someone trying to discover what coins are worth. Take for example an 1886-0 Morgan dollar that can be purchased for around $15.00 in Very Fine condition, which is a collectible grade. The same coin in a very high state of Uncirculated Preservation can be worth almost $200,000.00. The coin is common in circulated grades and very uncommon in Super High, uncirculated grades. I would go to a book store and get a book we call The Red Book, A GUIDE BOOK OF UNITED STATES COINS by R.S. Yeoman, edited by Kenneth Bresset. They may even have these available at your public library. They are printed every year so you want to try to look at the newest edition, 2006. Older editions are OK, but you dont want to be using a 1980 edition, for example to price the coins. Anyway, the book has basic grading information on all series of U.S. coins as well as the prices. The prices are not always 100% accurate but they are a fairly good representation of what a coin is worth. It does take a fair amount of experience to grade coins accurately. Coins that have been cleaned , (many of the ones in sets like yours have been) are worth a little more than the melt value for the silver. If there is a way to post scans or pictures of the coins here, we can give you better ideas of worth. If you handle the coins, hold them by the edges and do not touch the faces or the backs of the coins with your fingers. I hope this helps! If you have any other questions or pictures, post them to this thread. Thanks, Bill
Bill has stated the facts.....if you need any help with values or grades just posts photos here and maybe we can help. Speedy
Wow...thank you!!! Hi..I want to THANK YOU so much for replying to my posting regarding the Morgan Collection of coins....a little more info...each coin is sealed in a plastic box with some sort of upc code adn numbers..on the back is a hologram type seal. The papers say that they were minted in New Orleans....let me see if I can attach a few photos...they won't be very good but maybe it will give a better idea! Thank again everyone..wish everyone was as helpful as you all have been!!!! Well...it seems my jpg file was too big...if you want I can E you an image - just give me your E address if you want...thanks again!!
Then maybe somewhere on that box (its called a slab) there is a thing that says eitehr PCGS or NGC??? Speedy
Hi..yes..on the back of the "slab" is a silver holographic sticker that says "Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America" - is that what you are talking about??? Is that a good thing???? Thanks!!
Yes, that's a good thing. That means the coins are certified, and by one of the "top three" (i.e. best) grading companies, commonly known as NGC. On the front of the holder there should be a few letters followed by a number, like "MS 64" or "AU 50" etc. What are the numbers on your coins? Also listed on the holder will be the date. Please include this information. For instance: 1888-O MS 64 1902-O AU 50 What do your coins say?
Hi, The fact that coins are graded by NGC is a great thing!! You can tell us the dates and the grades on the "slabs" and we can give you a general idea of what the coins are worth. This is really very good!! Thans, Bill
coin info... Hi again and THANK YOU ALL for replying!!! Here is the coin info that is on the front sticker. Coin #1) - 1902-0-$$1/MS 64/256876-093 Coin #2) - 1883-0-$$1/MS 64/257391-033 Coin #3) - 1888-0-$$1/MS 64/251300-080 Coin #4) - 1898-0-$$1/MS 64/251303-004 Coin #5) - 1904-0-$$1/MS 64/250975-017 Coin #6) - 1899-0-$$1/MS 64/214141-044 Coin #7) - 1901-0-$$1/MS 64/269100-008 Coin #8) - 1900-0-$$1/MS 64/214129-046 Coin #9) - 1885-0-$$1/MS 65/679326-046 Coin #10)- 1884-0-$$1/MS 64/680643-073 Let me know if you need more info....thanks again!
CheyR, Each of these have a retail value of around $55 to $60 except the 1885-O which should be in the $150 range. Ben
Yes yes yes!!!!.... Now let me tell you alittle about what things "slabs" are. There are 3 grading Co. that are good (there are many more but unless you can grade well and know your coins I wouldn't suggest buying theirs)....their are PCGS/NGC/ANACS....each coin has a grade...poor/AG/G/VG/F/VF/XF/AU/ and then the MS grades MS60/61/62/63/64/65/66/67/68/69/70. They take the coin and maybe sure it is real and then they help us find out what grade it is. The grade helps us know what the value is. The slab helps people sell coins over many miles without having to see it...the # number on the slab (Not the grade) is also a way to track the coin if it is stolen. To get a coin slabbed it costs about $20-$25 at NGC. Hope that helps you know alittle more about what you have. Speedy
I didn't read through the whole thread, but I did see the list of coins. Be sure to check the 1899-O for a "micro O". The mint used the "O" for the quarter on some of the dies. It's considered a "Top 100" coin for Morgan variety collectors and is worth a very nice premium in mint state. The micro O was used on other years too (96, 00, 02), but these are suspected to be counterfeits. Compare it some of the other coins. There are several "O" mints used in New Orleans (oval, round, tall, etc). The mint mark on the 1899-O micro O variety is much smaller in size.
coin info Welcome to coin talk A good site for info on all coins is coinfacts.com and coinresource.com. Both have a lot of info on all coins minted from all u.s. mints.
Thank you SO much for your help! You may see a post from me again - there are a few more coin sets that I have yet to go through!!! Thanks again for all of your help!!!!
Hi, Also, check the 1888-O for the doubled die variety. Lips are very doubled and so is chin. That's a $1500.00 plus coin in that condition. There are also valuable micro O varieties on the 1900 -O and the 1902 O Morgans. Bill
