Howdy! I was helping clean out my grandmother's basement, and found a little wallet with a 1921 Denver mint Morgan Dollar in it. The wallet was her ex's, and has been in storage for at least the last 20 years since he passed away- probably a lot longer based on the paperwork it was found with (1967 Naval Academy journal). Of course I check online and see some are worth $20... and some are worth tens of thousands. And to my untrained eye, I can't see what would make mine fall closer to either end of the spectrum. (Comic books I can guess the grade in my sleep, coins are a whole new ballgame to me, haha!) Is this worth getting graded? Should I pay for conservation, too, or would that be a waste of money? I know enough not to clean it on my own...
Probably not worth paying the cost of grading it. The last pic might trigger some people here, just a heads up.
First, welcome to the neighborhood! Yeah, it's always best to hold it by the edge between the thumb and forefinger. That is because the oils in your skin can eventually etch into the surface of the coin, thereby, reducing the value. Chris
I agree with the others. This is a common date that has been cleaned at some point in the past and has been circulated. It's not worth sending in for grading. While this is true...the oils on our skins can affect the surface of the coin, I don't think the risk is that high in this case. This is a circulated piece not worth much more than melt. There is nothing particularly wrong with handling this coin and enjoying the way it feels in your hand. That said, a high grade coin or something that has significant value in its condition should be handled in a way to better preserve its surfaces.
Yes, but like brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, it's a habit that must be developed all of the time. Chris
Not worth getting graded. I would make it a pocket piece, just like the previous owner did. I keep a Morgan in my wallet all the time.
I'll take a moment to admit I keep a couple of heavily circulated dollars handy so I can touch them in inappropriate ways.... sometimes it just feels good to treat a coin like a poker chip.
I've alway's told myself, that if I ever won the lottery, I'd buy a couple bags of cull Morgan Dollars to use as poker chips. That would be just way too fun!!!
