Morgan dollars from Gates Rubber Company

I bought these at a flea market this past summer. I mentioned in another thread that I am a very new collector. These were the first coins I bought and what got me interested in Morgan dollars.

From what I could find out on the internet, these were given to service attendants that noticed a fan belt was worn and recommended a new Gates fan belt. The driver of the car was actually a Gates employee and rewarded the attendant with this gift. I read they later switched to giving out silver rounds made by Franklin Mint.

One of the five coins was reverse side up in the display package. That is why it has slightly darker toning on the reverse (and lighter on the obverse). You may notice the upper right coin has lost its luster. When I pointed to the package and asked how much, I was told $100. I offered $80. The seller picked up the package. One coin slipped out. He picked it up and rubbed the obverse over his t-shirt and said "These will clean up nicely. I'll take $90.". That's what I paid before he wiped the other coins.

All five are 1887-P. I think they look AU. I assume they were UNC when they went into the package. I scanned the package, all coins together, and one single coin close-up.

Grade?
Value?
Is there more value with the Gates package?
Any more history or corrections to my story?

Looking forward to your input.

 

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They look like they may have been cleaned already but I can't say for sure. Maybe the scan is reflecting the light. The package is interesting. The only other thing similar that I've seen is a cardboard holder for one morgan dollar that was put out by a laundry detergent company.

 

I don't think they've been cleaned. It's a reflection from my scanner. The one that was wiped looks a little dull on the obverse... and with a loupe, you can see fine hairline scratches.

I've only been to one coin show, and it was very small (four dealers). For some reason, I thought these were common and maybe someone had seen them at some shows.

 

Not much to add about the coins, but the award/holder is very interesting.
I believe it definately adds value, and makes the group of coins much more collectible.
Neat find!

 

PCRDNADAVE, GDJMSP, JODY526 - thanks for the feedback. I've gained more info since joining this forum a week ago than I have in several months of self-study.

I was going to take a photo with a digital camera and post. I'm getting too many reflections and changes in color on the scanner. I decided not to... not sure if you can tell from from a photo if they were cleaned. I think someone with experience (like yourselves) physically need the coins to examine. It would be feasible for the packager to want them to look their best.... and clean them before putting in the package.

How can a newbie learn more about cleaned coins? I found this site , but it was high level. I was looking for info and possibly pictures of whizzing, polishing, dipping, re-toning, etc... for silver coins. Not necessarily a "How to avoid cleaned coins for dummies" book. I just want to know what to look for in the future.

Thanks again.

 

Tough question.
I began collecting coins as a child, and did a lot of experimenting. I learned to recognize cleaned coins, by cleaning them.
Also learned to recognize toned coins, by toning them.

This article is pretty good, but no amount of reading can ever be as good as first-hand knowledge.
There is just no better way to learn, than to place a known cleaned coin beside a known uncleaned coin, and observing the difference.

Of course, it should always be restated that a coin that has numismatic value should not be cleaned.

I believe the A.N.A. offers correspondence courses on this, and other subjects. Don't know how good they are, or if they are worth the price, but it may be something worth looking in to.

 

The responses and the referenced article were great. Thanks for taking the time to give me details. From what I've read, I'm starting to think they were cleaned 50 years ago and have re-toned.
Thanks again.

 

I never caught one, but you can bet I was looking for the Gates Mystery Man when I was a college student/gas jockey before the Army got me in '52. That five bucks he might give me was more than a part time job day's pay - including commissions. We're talking about a 35¢ an hour minimum wage job. (My initial $72 a month Army pay was actually a raise. )

 

yikes Satootoko, 35 cents an hour minimum wage? Makes you really wonder about inflation if that was minimum wage not even 50 years ago.....

 

Jenneygas here I work for dad who owend a mobil station . As a child we would pump gas . My father had told me & my brothers to check all belts , looking for the gates mystry man . We actually caught the mystry man twice. He would then ask 3 questions about belts if you ansered them correctly you would win a plaque with silver coins place in a manner of pulleys on an engine . I am new to coin collecting,but would like to know how to determin there value.

 

You won the prize twice? If yes, do you still have the gifts and can you post some pictures? I think the experts would need to see the dates, mint marks, and condition of the coins. The original packaging should add additional value.

 

Gates Mystery Man Awards

I'm new to this forum and found it through a Google search.

I worked for a Philips Gas Station in Downers Grove, IL from about 1967-1970. One summer a car stopped in and just asked me to check the oil. My boss pulled me aside and told me to make sure and check the fan belt. The oil was OK but the fan belt was worn. When I pointed it out to the driver, and explained why I felt it needed to be replaced he excitedly told me that I won! He presented the Car Engine award plaque. The medialian is dated 1969. I'm not sure of the date of the other award with the 5 1887 Morgan Silver Dollars. The dollar coins in the "5 pack" award seem to be in very good condition.

I've had these proudly displayed in the years since because it's the only "sales" award I ever (or will ever) receive.

Ken

 

Welcome Ken! I restored a couple of my original photos below. Looks like we have the same Gates package of five 1887 Morgans... but you earned yours! You've also kept in great condition.

Welcome to the forum!

 

I just found this site on google. My father was half owner of a Canal Service Station in Alexandria,LA when I was about 5. My older brother annd I worked there on weekends and during the summer days. In 1969 I was washing the windows of a man's car and was checking his oil and told him that his fanbelt was worn and then he gave me the Gates recognition award with the two Morgans, two Kennedy and the round, has the date 1969, My father was an alcoholic and lost his part but the other owner let my mother keep running it. My mother had over 20 of these but when the price of silver hit $50 an ounce in the 80's she sold most of the coins. I was in the Army and had gotten about 6 from her when I started collecting coins. My earliest one has the date 1911 on the round and two morgans with the dates of 1882 and 1883, it is in a clear acrylic case.EDITED---Sorry but the rule is--No offers to buy/sell/trade please in this forum Thanks,GAry

 

Check the 1883 for an "S" on the reverse if it has it you may have some serious cash there !! :secret: :thumb:

 

Nope the 1882 and 83 are from the Philly mint. The 1921's are from Denver and the San Francisco mint. I have two 1883 S one a MS63 by PSGS and a62 by NGC. I have over a 1000 of Morgans, with only about 400 graded, mostly MS62 and up, about 300 Peace dllars and about 200 gold coins mostly $10 and $20. I just sold all my foreign gold that was certified, had some early 1800's Sovereigns, lire, francs and kroners. I am now only collecting graded/certified coins unless I get a real good deal on the raw ones. I am getting ready to sell some of mygraded MS63/64 Morgans/Peace that are toned to fianance my upcoming 75 Midget restoration project. I just finshed my 84 RX7 GLS-SE and my 88 Chrysler Quest that I bought both new. My Quest only has 52k and the 7 which has been my daily driver had about 175k when I put a new motor in. The Midget has only 45k on it. I have been selling on Yahoo because they have no listing fees on their auctions. EDITED--NO OFFERS TO BUY/SELL/TRADE PLEASE, GAry

 

i also have a set of coins my dad recieved as a prize from the mystery man.4 of them are 1921 and 1 is a 1920.we had a family owned american gas station before i was born.