Ever since I was young, one of my long term collecting goals is to put together a nice complete set of slabbed business strike Morgan Dollars. I have put together a somewhat decent collection of Morgan's so far...most of them raw that I plan to eventually upgrade to nicer examples. As I am learning more about the set, I am deciding what I want to include in my "complete set." I have personally never been a big VAM guy. Minor die characteristics don't really interest me, I guess I'm more of a "Marco" collector than a "Micro." That said, I do want to include some varieties. I like coins that have varieties that are visible (one that comes to mind is the 1955 Lincoln DDO)...you can see it from a mile away and those are the coins I like. So, my plan is a complete date/MM set. In addition to that, I want to also include at least one proof and one major error. But, I am trying to figure out what varieties I want to include. Here is what I am thinking so far. 1878: All 3 Reverse Types 1879-S: 2nd and 3rd Reverse 1880-CC: 2nd and 3rd Reverse 1888-O: DDO (Hot Lips) 1901: DDR What I am looking for is suggestions for other nice varieties to consider for this set. Any opinions are welcome.
That would be a great set. However, all Morgans are a variety, just like all bust halves. I never collect by VAM either, but have been surprised a few times by buying, unknowingly, scarce VAM Morgans when all I wanted was a nice example of the date. Guy
The 1901 DDR is amazing. I would also include a DMPL but I am bias. An 1900-o/cc is also very popular. I would look at the PCGS set with major varieties, some very good options in that set for varieties that are not nit picky ones.
1878-P 7/8 tail feathers, strong, because it's the first year. 1900-O/CC because it's a weird overdate. 1979-S PAF and SAF The 1888-O has several Top 100 VAMs: Scarface, EDB (early die break) Scarface, Hotlips... I am staying away from the 1888-O VAMs for the time being. Not hung up about the 1880-CC PAF/SAF coins for my set either. Currently, I have 3 VAMs: 1878-P 7/7 Strong VAM-42, 1891-CC VAM 3 "Spitting Eagle", and 1900-O/CC. For me, a set is the basic set is year and mint marks. The only "VAMs" I am including in my set are the PAF and SAF reverse first year coins. After I get my set, I will be adding VAMs. Again, focus on the basic set FIRST. If you get a VAM, cool. If not, don't worry about it. (PS - Stay away from my auctions! HAHAHA!)
I'm not a VAM collector. But I am also, like you assembling a business strike set of Morgans. Here are some of the varieties I'd consider. 1. 1878 7/8 TF 2. 1888 O DDO "Hot Lips" 3. 1891 CC "Spitting Eagle" 4. 1901 DDR 5. PL or DMPL CC mint
1880/79 overdates and I love the 78 7 over 5 tf VAM 39 because the left-over 5 are sooo out there - and a great example of a clashed die as well. The neat thing about the VAMs is the identification of really cool variations - then take your pick!
