money -> Coins-US -> Dollars

Liberty Head silver dollars have been referred to in many different ways over the years. First they were called Buzzard Dollars, because no one really liked the original design of the rather scrawny eagle on the back. The large, heavy coins were also referred to as Cartwheels, and are today most commonly referred to as Morgan Dollars, after their creator, George T. Morgan.

Though when they first appeared in 1878 these coins weren’t popular at all, today Liberty Head silver dollars are one of the most collectible coins in the world, among silver and all other types of coins. When these coins were minted, the dollar coin had been discontinued for 5 years already, with Americans showing a clear preference for paper dollars. The coins were minted because of the large silver surplus created by the purchase of silver from the Comstock lode in Nevada, to keep Nevada’s economy above water. To use the silver, these coins were commissioned.

George Morgan was an Englishman who designed the Liberty Head silver dollars, and despite his post as US Chief Engraver after that, one he held for over 40 years, these coins were the only American ones he ever designed. Because these coins weren’t popular and few people used them, production stopped in 1904. Many of the coins were melted down in 1918 to help Great Britain’s war efforts. Then more were minted in 1921, but only for a brief time before the Peace Dollar was minted to commemorate the end of the war, and quickly became the most popular silver dollar in America.

The Liberty Head silver dollars continued to be melted town, and the public showed little interest in collecting them until about 1972, when a large collection of over 400 bags of the rare Carson City minted dollars was discovered. The collection ended up selling at auction for over $7 million dollars. While all these dollars are collectible, some are more valuable and sought out than others.

The most rare Liberty Head silver dollars are those minted in 1895. Called the “king” of these dollars, some have sold for over $100,000 at auction. What makes these coins particularly valuable is their rarity, and the mystery surrounding them. Twelve-thousand 1895 coins were struck, according to mint records, yet only about 80 have ever been accounted for, and all of those were proofs. None of the regular circulation coins have been recovered. Whether they were ever minted at all comes into question, but doesn’t lessen the mystique of the coin.

Liberty Head silver dollars, aside from the 1895 strike, aren’t particularly rare because millions of these coins were minted. They were larger than typical coins, and the original eagle design wasn’t popular, yet today they’re consider one of the most collectible US coins available. Online auctions are an inexpensive and ideal way to purchase these collectible coins, whether you want to purchase them to begin investing in silver, or to make the Liberty Head silver dollars an important part of your coin collection.

Originally posted 2008-11-11 14:00:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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There is something very special about rare coins. No matter where in the world they came from, they usually have a very rich history and collectors will search to the ends of the earth to find that special rare coin that will complete their collection. Many of these coins will go at a premium price at auction, worth far more than they ever were when they were in circulation. Let’s look at a few of the different types of rare coins.

First up, you have rare coins from ancient civilizations. Whether it was an early coin from Mesopotamia, a Grecian coin or a Roman coin, these are usually the most valuable. However, they are also the ones that may be copied. If you see a lot of coins and the seller claims that they are all authentic, but the price seems too low, you may want to rethink your purchase. Truly ancient rare coins are typically very expensive. It is all too easy nowadays to replicate these coins and mass produce them.

Next, look for coins that are oddly shaped or made from rare materials. This shows that they were handmade and are typically older in origin. These are not very easy to find, but Greek coins are the perfect example of this. These rare coins were handmade and will frequently be just a little off of perfect. Some may even include the maker’s signature or mark, and these are very valuable indeed.

Other rare coins that are fun to collect coincide with specific eras in history. For example, many collectors look for coins produced during the French Revolution. This was the time period when the first Marianne’s were made, and they are incredibly collectible. Other examples would include confederate coins, from the US civil war, or coins that were produced by governments that are now extinct.

Whenever you are shopping for rare coins, it also pays to look for any errors that may be present. These are usually incredibly valuable, and although they are hard to find, it is very special when you do come across one. Examples of error coins include coins that are missing something from a design, or ones that may have blatant errors. Examining coins for these flaws is always interesting.

The rare coins that are the most valuable are usually the ones where only a few are left. Using the Morgan Silver dollar as an example, there is one variety where only a handful are accounted for. This gives collectors a challenge and the ability to experience the thrill of the hunt as they try to uncover that incredibly rare coin.

If you have not yet begun collecting rare coins, it’s a good idea to start thinking about which era or type of coin you might be interested in. For example, many collectors start off by picking the year they were born, or the coin that commemorates an event that is special to them. Once you get started with rare coin collecting, you’ll see just how exciting this hobby can be.

Originally posted 2008-08-29 05:00:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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The Morgan Silver Dollar is considered by many to be one of the most valuable US coins that you can collect. It’s history ranges from 1878 to 1904, and during its run, it was one of the first dollar coins that was available for public use, minus the Seated Liberty Dollar. The coin was named for its designer, George T. Morgan and to this day, collectors search for these valuable items.

The main reason that silver dollars were put into use is due to the fact that when the Comstock Lode was discovered, silver prices fell dramatically due to the influx of the rich metal onto the markets. The Bland-Allison act called for coins to be used as currency and the rest is history. It wasn’t until 1921 that silver dollars fell out of use, and during that time many were melted after the availability of silver fell again.

Out of all of the Morgan Silver Dollars that were minted, by far the most valuable one is the one called the King of Morgan Silver Dollars, or the 1895. This is a very rare coin and those that are able to find them are considered to be very lucky indeed. Many private collections contain these rare coins, and there is quite a market for them at auction. Even though the coin itself is worth only 1 dollar in silver, the value of these coins can exceed $120,000.

There is somewhat of a mystery around the Morgan Silver Dollar from 1895 that has sparked collector interest. In total, there were about 12,000 total made during that year, and 880 proofs were created as well. To date, only a small portion of these coins, around 80, have been discovered. That means that somewhere, there are more than 11,920 of these rare coins that are waiting to be found.

No one really knows what happened to them either, which makes finding one all the more special. While all Morgan Silver Dollars are valuable, it’s the King that everyone wants for their collection. In total, more than 500 million Morgans were produced during its minting period and of that amount, approximately 2.5 million are still around.

If you are looking for a true one of a kind collector coin, the Morgan Silver Dollar from 1895 is certainly the one to search for. However, finding any Morgan Silver Dollar is considered to be a feat, especially today when they are very scarce. This is a fun coin to collect and even if you never do find that special King, you can still enjoy your entire collection.

For collectors interested in stumbling onto a King, the best place to start is by looking at auctions, or at online auction sites. Many times, you can find one of these incredibly rare coins for a steal, especially if you purchase a raw lot. The hunt is still on for the King, and with more than 11,000 still out there, there is a chance that you just may be the one to find one.

Originally posted 2008-08-14 05:00:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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