Hi, I was just wondering if NGC star coins are hard to come by, and also, are they worth more than unstarred coins? Could somebody also tell me the pop of an 1881-S * morgan dollar in MS-66? Thanks
NGC starred coins are pretty hard to find. All graders of the coin need to agree that the coin deserves a star. If one does not, then it doesn't get it. The population he gave you states that there are 254 coins at the grade of MS-66, with 177 coins better. I do not know if that population applies to the star; it seems kind of high. The value of the starred coin in relationship to an unstarred coin is difficult to determine. Coins receive stars for different reasons, all based around superior eye appeal, and those different reasons lead to different prices, depending on the coin. Some stars are given out because a coin is very good for the grade, like an MS-66 that is really, really nice, but just not quite MS-67. Other stars are given for nice toning.
Lehigh is going to get you. The * is not assigned based on grade, but, as close as I can remember, "exceptional eye appeal for the grade". And, yes, they are quite rare.
It was not graded prooflike because the reflection is not prooflike enough. http://coins.about.com/od/uscoins/f/dmpl_morgans.htm HOW TO TELL ^^^^ Makes me wonder what my morgans from 1880 would grade. http://www.cointalk.com/t77689/ Got a whole roll like that... some more DMPL than others but all quite shiny.
This is very interesting since I bought several coins with MS-66* and it was cheap, (if you know where to buy it )
Since you are a newbie, we need to make sure you have the proper foundation of knowledge. To explain the NGC Star Desgnation, please read this: http://www.ngccoin.com/coingrading/stardesignation.asp To further explain the star designation as it pertains to CAMEO and Prooflike designations, please read this: http://www.cointalk.com/t46534/ To explain how eye appeal (rainbow toning) affects the price of a coin, please read this: http://www.cointalk.com/t39837/ Once you have completed your reading assignment, please return with any questions you may have. I really think these threads will answer your original question in this thread but I suspect they might also inspire some new questions as well.
They can be pretty rare. You normally don't see any at a coin show. But it's not too hard to find them online. You can do a search on ebay for simply "NGC star" on any given day and usually have several pages worth come up. I run that search once in a while just to see the creme of the crop. You'll find many spectacular coins that way. Many out of my range. Four of the Morgans in my gallery received stars. They're not scarce but rare enough to where you can go a long time without seeing one or maybe ever owning one unless you seek one out. It is difficult for a coin to receive the star designation and only means the coin has exceptional eye appeal. That doesn't mean it should be graded a point higher. Just an exceptionally beautiful or interesting coin, not normally seen. Given that, it does add value to them but there's no real price guide to go by since they are unique. I can tell you prices typically start in the 3 to 5x normal list range and go up from there. A MS66 which is likely already a much higher list price, may increase by a much smaller percentage. That's a general guideline.
Interesting *BS* cough cough Your facts dont add up.... your 14, own several star ms 66 morgans, dont know anyone else who collects but you know where to get the good prices on them and most of your collection are coins 100-1000$ in value.... Maybe im just being a jerk and your 100% dead on not full of crap, but from the posts you have made it seems like you're making up a fantasy in your head and playing it out via cointalk.
well i got a question as long as this is all about stars. i suppose the STAR designation is limited to MS grades?
That's an excellent question. I don't think so though. I think this came up before. They would be even rarer, but I'm pretty sure there's some AU ones out there. Thought somebody posted a picture of one, once.
alright. when i said MS i meant 60+. you wouldnt call an AU coin proof or PL. the star would be limited to toning?