I got a set of three Morgans from the New Orleans mint, 1883, 1884, and 1885 in a box - with a cardboard velvet insert inside that they were set it. Clearly it had caused toning over the time they have been in the box. Does the box confer any special value on them or are they just deteriotating in it?
Toning doesn't do any deteriotating....in some case the toning might help the value. Post some photos and maybe we can help. Speedy
Oh....its from Littleton.....then I wouldn't have any problem about pulling them out. Unless they were on sale Littleton more than likely charged a arm and leg too. Speedy
I got my set for 40 bucks! All unc too with nice toning. I bet they charged 150+ though. The reason I think his are from littleton are they are the same years in a blue velvet box.
Coming from this source, I rather doubt if these coins have been in the box near as long as wyatt seems to think they have. The box is used like a big bow on a package, to make it seem better than it would be standing alone. If you don't like the box, take them out, but if it doesn't bother you, leave them in it.
1883-o Here is the 1883-O from the box set to show you what I mean. The toning, to me, looks like it's coming from the box liner. The box itself is one of those velvet jewelry type box. The coins are advertised as MS-60 and it is a Littleton collection.
Now that I worked out how to post pictures right into my post I can easily post larger pics and the other two coins if anyone is interested. These scans at that small size don't show very clear detail but even at the larger size it's not so easy to discern the eagle's breast feathers. Would that suggest that it's a shallow strike or whatever? Can anyone tell how new I am at this?
New Orleans Morgans are notorious for soft or weak strikes, which might be an artifact of their poor annealing processes there. I like the toning, but if you keep them in that box, they will continue to tone. At some point in time, you are going to have to decide how much toning is enough, and either pull them from the box, or put them in airtites to arrest further toning. It's entirely up to you and your taste in toners.:smile I see you have already opted for the airtites.....
I'm inclined to like toning when it's colorful just as I like the coloring on some circulated coins but what I like and what is crucial to the value of a coin might be separate issues. I know for a fact that circulated coins, no matter how beautiful I might find a particular example, will not garner so much praise in the marketplace. Thanks for looking!
I would suggest that you use the search function and read some of the discussions on coin storage as there is more to toning than just the container the coins are stored in. But what I would suggest, since the coins appear to be in Air-Tite holders already, is to remove them from the box and store them with the rest of your coins. Keep the box intact and just store it elsewhere. That way if you ever decide to sell the coins as a set you have that option.
Thanks, I put them in the airtites from the box ... but then I was thinking I maybe should put them back in the box because maybe I did the wrong thing. So airtites are ok to use? (revealing ignorance again) And I have looked around a lot but I haven't found all the older discussion yet. Thanks for your time.
Yes, Air-Tites are definitely OK to use. I recommend them more than any other holder. As for other discussions on coin storage - there's lots. Just CLICK HERE Every one of those post has something on the subject of coin storage.
