Initial Sales of 2023-S Proof Morgan & Peace Silver Dollars Reach 589,585

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Opening sales figures from the United States Mint have been released for the 2023-S Proof Morgan Silver Dollar and the 2023-S Proof Peace Silver Dollar. Released on Aug. 9 for $80 each, the pair accounted for a combined sales total of 589,585 coins through Aug 13.

CoinNews Photo 2023-S Proof Morgan Silver Dollars
This CoinNews photo shows a pair of 2023-S Proof Morgan Silver Dollars

Both dollars are still offered by the U.S. Mint, with more than 100,000 available for each based on their standalone mintages of 400,000 apiece.

CoinNews Photo 2023-S Proof Peace Silver Dollars
This CoinNews photo shows a pair of 2023-S Proof Peace Silver Dollars

As for the numbers, starting sales of proof Morgan silver dollars totaled 303,629 coins, comprising 292,189 coins for the standalone option (product code 23XF) and 286 units for the 40-coin bulk option (product code 23XF040), which amounts to 11,440 coins.

Meanwhile, the proof Peace silver dollar reached 285,956 coins in the early going, consisting of 274,156 coins for the standalone option (product code 23XL) and 295 units for the 40-coin bulk option (product code 23XL040), which equates to 11,800 coins.

In related news, sales of the 2023-P Uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollar and the 2023-P Uncirculated Peace Silver Dollar stepped back for a second week in a row.

CoinNews photo 2023-P Uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollars
This CoinNews photo shows a pair of 2023-P Uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollars

Released July 13 for $76 each, with both essentially selling out within 24 hours, their combined total dropped by 2,034 coins to 546,339. In the previous week, their sales fell by a combined 781 coins.

CoinNews photo of two 2023-P Uncirculated Peace Silver Dollars
This CoinNews photo shows a pair of 2023-P Uncirculated Peace Silver Dollars (obverse and reverse)

New sales figures for the pair have their splits at 273,935 coins for the uncirculated Morgan silver dollar (down 272 from the prior week) and 272,404 coins for the uncirculated Peace silver dollar (down 1,762 from the prior week).

Standalone mintages for the two were set at 275,000 apiece.

On Nov. 14, the U.S. Mint will offer the pair of dollars in a special reverse proof finish.

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Seth Riesling

I thought the mintage of the Proofs was way to high at 400,000 each on these silver dollars from the beginning, & the amount left unsold so far after everyone could buy as many as they want shows that to be true.

NumisdudeTX

Dazed and Coinfused

Yeah, 100,000 sounds much better than 211,000 short. I also don’t recall a 24 hour sellout of the uncirculated. Seems we went from less than 70 returns from first report to over 2,000 this week. That’ll show a huge % change in sales. That is, if they do the full rundown list like they’ve been doing. I wonder if the proof not selling because of the quality issues of the uncirculated. Seems several people said their proof was flawed, but no pics posted. I also wonder how many they’ll mint of next year’s series. But I do gotta say, at… Read more »

Craig

I’ve received 4 Morgan/Peace Dollars so far, proof and uncirculated, and they are all in excellent condition. Maybe they make sure I get coins that would grade 70 if I decided to have them graded, due to the fact that I am one of their best customers, but I doubt it. All kidding aside, I’ve been pleased with the quality of all my Morgans/Peace Dollars, going back to 2021. I too am thinking of reducing my order for the RP’s to just 2 sets. There’s still plenty of time to make that decision though.

Craig

Kaiser,

I just called the Mint and yes, they verified I’m on their ‘best customer that get the shiniest and otherwise absolutely perfect coins list!’ Thanks for edifying me about that list. Regarding these Morgan/Peace Dollars, for the money we’re paying for them, they better be in perfect condition.

Last edited 8 months ago by Craig
Antonio

The pictures of the proof coins with this article are Proof 70. Anything less is likely a Proof 68 (like mine). It’s the favored dealers who get in early and the lucky few who get their hands on a Proof 70 or Mint State 70 coin. They are nice but I’ve never gotten one myself. Go figure.

Rodney

Antonio, To make sure that I get a PF or MS 70 I always buy several coins of each. I bought 6 each of the Morgans and Peace and sent them to grading. I got 6 MS70 Morgans and 4 MS70 Peace. I simply sold off the spare coins at cost on ebay and all 8 of the spare 70’s sold in 8 hours on ebay. I’ll probably lose a total of $20 on the MS69’s by selling them below cost. Just a little effort really, to maintain a 70 collection and sometimes I’m able to sell the spares profitably.… Read more »

Jeffrey Schwartz

Rodney, So you buy several with the goal of getting a good one(s)? What’s your ebay “name,” so I can get an MS70, too? What was the sale(s) price? Being transparent. I want great coins vs. flawed coins. Thx

Rodney
Craig

I don’t actually know what my coins grade because I don’t send them in to get graded. I simply look at them under a magnifying lens and they are all in excellent condition, by that I mean there are no marks or flaws.. With all the 70’s I see on the tv coin shows, you have to wonder if these grading companies aren’t compromised by their biggest customers. If you can’t see a flaw or mark on a coin, how would you really know if a coin bought as a 70 wasn’t in fact a 69? They both look the… Read more »

Antonio

Exactly, yes trust. I’d like to know which grading service is best to use to return a highest grade. I believe my uncirculated coins may all come back as MS70 but I’m sure that the best I’ll receive for my proofs is a PR68. The pictures at the top of the article are PR70 coins. You can see by the heavy cameo. I’ve never gotten a coin from the Mint with that heavy of a cameo. Judging from my graded 1995 W ASE, which is a PR68, all my proofs are a PR68. Maybe I should have them regraded and… Read more »

Jim

Yes me too. Because I would like to know how they are able to “Pre-sell” Proof 70s? How do they know how many 70s they are going to get back from the Grading Service? What if they come up short?

Dazed and Coinfused

What Craig fails to disclose is his last name is Mikaska-Mezack

Craig

Good one, Dazed!

Crystal Meth

I’m hoping they melt the unsold ones… thus increasing the value of the two I have in my vault.

Seth Riesling

Kaiser,

They should have I think. Maybe because they are the first Proofs of this new series, they thought there would be a quick sellout at 400,000 each.

NumisdudeTX

Last edited 8 months ago by Seth Riesling
Seth Riesling

Major D, Probably, but the Mint still has coins from 2017 & 2018 & 2019 for sale because they set the mintages so very high. Plus, the last Mint Director was adamant that there be a sellout on first day or first few days of coins to pad his resume. So they put the lower mintage of 275,000 for the Unc. Morgan & Peace dollars, but it could have been 400,000 also like the Proofs you think? The numbers just seem screwy. Also, everyone, collectors & dealers, who wanted the Proofs either had subscriptions or ordered more after the HHL… Read more »

Jeffrey Schwartz

How long does the Mint keep old, unsold coins for sale? Still 9,465 American Liberty One Ounce 225th Anniversary Gold Coins unsold … and 15,829 1/10 ounce of same. Both from 2018. Should be melted, imo. They’re not selling.

Gold coin.jpg
Seth Riesling

Jeffrey Schwartz,

The Mint is not required to melt down any coins after a certain period, except the official commemorative coins authorized by Congress & signed into law by the President (those coins can only be sold for the 12 month calendar year they were issued & then any left on December 31 must be scheduled for melting).

NumisdudeTX

chuck

Seth,

Old news but the mint “minions” seem to not be required nor to be held accountable. I remember our discussion several years back on the “spouses” that were to be destroyed but were later sold off to a “favorite entity” still no accountability for probably breaking the law on that nor for exceeding product limits on some coins too..

Seth Riesling

chuck,

You are right on that issue…seems there has been no real accountability at the Mint on these kind of issues. And now they won’t even tell us the names of the 18 coin dealers in their exclusive Authorized Bulk Purchaser Program who receive big benefits that regular customers do not.

NumisdudeTX

Jeffrey Schwartz

Seth, Thank you. I learned something. P.S. For transparency, I do own the 1/10 ounce.

Seth Riesling

Jeffrey Schwartz,.

You are welcome. I like that particular gold coin in both sizes back in 2017 & 2018. Very different & made history as a first.

NumisdudeTX

Jeffrey Schwartz

Seth, Thx. Did not know.

Jeffrey Schwartz

Kaiser Emeritus, Can’t answer that one.

Jim

…and they pushed these HARD!

Jim

I’m sure Magic Mike would not be opposed to that “Repurposing”…Maybe into rings and necklaces for QV2? lol

Antonio

Well the first year coins were selling for $85 for uncirculated coins and they sold out quickly. This year it was $76 for an uncirculated Philadelphia coin. If more people see how the proof coins look, they should sell out quickly. I haven’t seen any advertising and so I assume people don’t know they exist. They are nice looking in proof, considering this is the first frosted and mirror finished proofs for these coins. The Morgan dollars were in a different finish but some brilliant uncirculated coins look proof like. I’m happy with both my uncirculated and proof coins. Didn’t… Read more »

Dazed and Coinfused

So your uncirculated look like the proof? Then what’s the real difference

Antonio

More like “proof like” than a proof, since it’s from Carson City.

Antonio

Yep, true.

Dazed and Coinfused

With today’s society of instant gratification if it doesn’t sell on 1st day it ain’t worth it (see campers for new iPhone, better yet… see people that pay people to camp for them for new iphone). A fast sellout could mean sold too cheap, but mint made their markup ( see the v75 end of ww2 coin, doubt the mint cares it sold for what it did, would bet you mint workers are the ones selling em for $20,000. While we all online waiting, their family standing at mint gift shop with cash in hand). Another possibility, they figure 2021… Read more »

Craig

Can I get one under the subscription program?

Robert Thomas

I agree with you Seth. I bought a couple, but was very disappointed with the high mintage for them.

Antonio

Apparently not this time. Maybe the reverse proofs will fare better. I’m still a little sore about no proof coins last year. I really had my hopes up.

Dazed and Coinfused

Have you tried the fiji mint? I hear those were the coins the mint should have made.

Antonio

From these numbers, I see collectors/dealers prefer the Morgan dollars over the Peace dollars. All in all, a mintage of 400,000 proof coins for both types seems too much, considering these aren’t coins for circulation. Also the price for coins which aren’t a full ounce is affecting sales and not seen as worth it for people who buy coins from the Mint. We’ll see how they sell in the after market. On ebay, I’m seeing the average price for an uncirculated 2023 Morgan dollar is around $96.

Antonio

Have you purchased any of these coins? Do you have a preference of Morgan or Peace dollar?

Kaiser Wilhelm

Antonio,

I picked up all four, meaning one of each Uncirculated and one each of the Proofs. As far as preference, I like them both.

Jim

Agreed…Just feels like a common coin now, with not much future return or unique pride f ownership.

Kia99

Did anyone else get an animated Peace Liberty? With a bright light shining from behind me, if I tilt the coin from side to side, it looks like Liberty is puffing her cheeks!

Seth Riesling

Kia99,

Are you high & using a black light?? She’s just got a wad of chewing tobacco in her cheeks… Lol.

NumisdudeTX

Kia99

Well, Liberty is a tough lady, I take from your response that your coins don’t show the moving cheek circle?

cheek.jpg
Seth Riesling

Kia99,

Thanks for the pic! My 5 coins do not show that interesting circle. Not sure what it is.

NumisdudeTX

Dazed and Coinfused

Could it be reflection of ring light? Influencers love using round lights. Does it do it in sunlight? Does it disappear if you submerge it in acid? Try turning it off and on again or hit it. Seems to work on older TV

Kaiser Wilhelm

But not on smart coins.

Antonio

My three Peace dollars look similar to yours. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. Maybe that means they’re PR69! Don’t get my hopes up.

harryg

Is this possibly a distorted reflection of light off of the capsule?

Kia99

Harryg
…shows up without the capsule. It has the visual character of the enhanced proof frosted variations.

harryg

Sorry about that. It detracts from the eye appeal. I would consider a return for a replacement being that there should be some still available. I regret not returning one coin from 2021 but feared I could not get a replacement because they were sold out.

Kia99

harryg
Since it only shows up in particular lighting, I’ll consider it an enhancement and keep the coin.

Jim

It’s not a flaw. You have to tip the coin a certain way under bright light.

Dazed and Coinfused

With that view, to be honest it looks like George Washington.

Dazed and Coinfused

Thanks for pic

Jim

Yea, my girl does it to. Tip her to the left under a bright light and she puts her tongue in her cheek. Kind of a cool effect.

Kia99

Jim,
We (and Antonio) must have coins from the same unique die. The mint did something special in the laser frosting step that created the circular ghosting cheek. When frosting dies, I suspect they normally go out-of-their-way to avoid recognizable patterns in the frost areas.

Kia99

KAISER!

Seth Riesling

Kaiser,

Lol. So Lady Liberty is no proper lady??!!

NumisdudeTX

Antonio

Why do you think she’s called “Liberty”?

Kaiser Wilhelm

Does that have something to do with shore leave?

Dazed and Coinfused

If you referring to the tear in her eye, could be she got lucky, but her man too exuberant and poked the coal chute.

Coinman

Just to let everyone know, my Morgan proof is flawed, looks like a tiny black hole right below the eye. Who knows, it may become a “teardrop” or “crying Morgan.”
Anyone else with this problem?

Seth Riesling

Coinman,

Lady Liberty with a black eye! Interesting… didn’t have that on any of the 5 coins I got.

NumisdudeTX

Dazed and Coinfused

Well if she had 2 black eyes ain’t no need to tell her again because she obviously doesn’t listen.

Dazed and Coinfused

Remind me of that Toby Keith song

Dazed and Coinfused

Maybe it is a prison tat indicating she killed somebody

Antonio

A little tear drop tattoo. She’s a killer.

Dazed and Coinfused

If you flip the coin over, does it have it? Does it say not my president? Maybe she got beat down for wearing blackface on her 2017 coin. Hard to say these days

Antonio

Once again, I bring up that I have a 1996 W uncirculated dime with a finger print on it. That’s as bad as it’s been for me. All my Morgan and Peace dollars look fine except for the issue of they probably aren’t MS70 or PR70 coins; then again, I haven’t gotten them professionally graded yet.

Kaiser Wilhelm

Antonio,

I’m not sure whether I should value my not knowing or feel bad about it; either way I’m not having my coins graded so that will remain a mystery.

harryg

Received both my Morgan and Peace Dollars today and I am happy and relieved to report that both examples are absolutely flawless. Very pleased with this purchase. After receiving the UNC versions earlier this year which I found to be disappointing, I was very concerned about the quality of this purchase. It really takes the joy out of collecting when you feel it is a roll of the dice as far as QC is concerned.

Antonio

All mine look good and I look forward to the reverse proofs when they’re delivered.

Antonio

Now for the reverse proofs. My 2021 reverse proofs look good.

Kaiser Wilhelm

Antonio,

That’s good to hear. Hopefully the 2023 Proofs will be at least as nice.

Last edited 8 months ago by Kaiser Wilhelm
Rooster

Considering the subscriptions started a year in advance I’m surprised they have not sold out.

Tom

on EBAY, typing in 2023 Morgan Dollar yields 2300+ entries.
2023 Proof Morgan yields 839 entries
Peace Dollar has similar results.
under advanced search for 2023 Morgan Dollars indicates over 2200 sold.
many of these total include multiples coins (e.g. 1 Morgan and 1 Peace, or 2 Morgan, etc.) so the numbers available and that have sold are greater than the values shown.

Kaiser Wilhelm

Tom,

Not only does that seem like a lot of inventory and sales consternation on ebay but it serves up a nice bit of confusion regarding the counts for me.

Seth Riesling

Kaiser,

The flippers are flipping out that they can’t make a profit on these raw coins due to high mintage & will have to pay to have them graded for any chance of getting a 70 grade & making a profit then.

NumisdudeTX

John Haney

I have two flawed proof Morgans. Does anyone else have the flaw in the star just under the chin level? Pictures of it are not really any good but under a magnifying glass it looks like there may have been something in the die so the star is only half height and not smooth. And although it does not show up on the picture there is a slight error on star right above and it is exactly the same on both coins.

star flaw morgan.jpg
Jeff Legan

Hi John Haney,
I looked at mine, all the stars are fully formed and frosted. Looks to me like you got an error coin!

Kaiser Wilhelm

Jeff Legan and John Haney,

What we’re seeing here might be a couple of really nice error coins. How about that!

harryg

Defective planchets, grease filled die, die fatigue, die cracks, and die failures, etc. are not technically considered error coins. Generally speaking it is the action of the die striking the planchet where true error or variety coins occur. DDO, DDR, RPM, for example.

John Haney

The thing that struck me was that I have two and they are identical. So, my guess was maybe something hard was stuck in die? And I’m wondering if anyone else has the same? So maybe the error is not an error but just an error 🙂

John Haney

From the PCGS I found this blurb in the error section. What stands out is the ‘anything that happens to the coin up until the final strike’. And since I have two that are identical, I do not believe anything happened after the final strike.

A mint error is defined as a coin made incorrectly at the mint and encompasses anything that happens to the coin up until the final strike of the dies. As soon as the last strike occurs on a coin, anything after that is defined as PMD.

harryg

Simply put, where exactly do you draw the line between literal definitions and interpretations? With each planchet (variations occur with each planchet), each die (variations occur with each die), strike of a coin and tonnage exerted 35- 100 or 540 tons ( varies depending what is being manufactured), the speed expected for that press to produce coins, number of coins produced (die wear) and maintenance to keep the presses running (grease,) every coin can potentially be a entity unto itself. It is not inconceivable that you received two coins manufactured very close to each other where the grease blocking the… Read more »

harryg

I will add, “First Strike”, “First Release”, MS70 or MS69, really? Fuzzy lines and definitions all intended to imply additional value. Is there an official number that was agreed upon where they could no longer claim to be “First Strike”? 1000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 coins? We are certainly not privy to this valuable information even as the die wears with every strike meaning coin 27,000 will not be exactly like coin 300. The average person would not know the difference between a MS64 and a MS70 except for the implied additional value. The same motivation applies to alleged “error” coins.… Read more »

Last edited 8 months ago by harryg
harryg
Tom

I would add, for proof coins the dies are replaced quite regularly, my understanding they they never reach 10,000, and maybe even 1000 would be a lot. anyway: for a good write up on ‘first strike’ read https://www.cmi-gold-silver.com/article/first-strike-coins-buffalos-eagles/ here is some of the article Note that NGC does not say that the coins eligible to be labeled First Strike are among the first coins struck but are coins shipped within in the first month of release. Further, here are three sentences on the NGC website that add insight to the First Strike issue: “Collectors have always sought out coins of special significance, and one way that a coin can be… Read more »

harryg

A defect plain and simple.

John Haney

Sure, it is a defect. Technically speaking anything that is wrong with a coin is a defect I reckon. The question though is…is the definition given by the PCGS the correct one for an error and not just a defect referenced as a PMD? I guess I’ll send one in to them and see.

harryg

This is certainly not PMD or an error.

harryg

I tried to post some links for informational purposes but don’t think the Folks in charge here allowed them for some reason. Sorry if I crossed a line or did something wrong in attempting to do so.

Last edited 8 months ago by harryg
John Haney

I can work with keywords to find the links if you care to share. The paragraph I referenced from the PCGS is a direct cut and paste. There is much more on the page as well.

harryg

Everything is context.
US Mint / Learn/Production Process/Coin production.
PCGS/ Photograde
Go to youtube and just observe the avalanche of alleged errors found in your every day pocket change that has implied value over face value. This is how they hook the novice
I am conflicted about these claims attached on many of the videos because it does pique interest in the hobby of coin collecting but that 1987 penny “error” does not add value in the real world.

John Haney

We all learn as we go every day. I have probably tens of thousands of coins I’ve collected and inherited over the years. But I have always shied away from proofs and errors until these simply because of the design of the Morgan being a favorite right behind the double eagle. So, I am still learning on both proofs and errors. I managed to take a few more pictures today that show them a little clearer.

star_flaws_both_02.jpg
John Haney

One of them.

star_flaw_44.jpg
John Haney

The other one.

star_flaw_51.jpg
Antonio

An error, an error! Worth more! Looks like a PR70 to me. For what I know.

John Haney

Maybe? Crazy though that at least two made it out of the mint as proof coins in this condition.

harryg

How and why any non circulating coin let alone proof coins with serious defects like this are released by the mint is simply unacceptable and appalling in my mind. Just a guess but this defect is possibly due to a partial grease filled or wearing die. In 2021 I received 1 Morgan Dollar from the SF mint with a major gouge on Lady Liberty’s Cheek. It seems consistent quality and pride in manufacturing is no longer a priority like I remember it to be back in the day.

harryg

I suspect a few factors are contributing to the overall decline in quality control in end products. Number one in my mind is attempting to manufacture such a wide variety of new products and the frequency of new releases intended to please the public and be all things to all people while financially propping up daily mint operations for general circulation coins which the mint currently must manufacture at a loss. Same programs, fewer new releases per year might take the pressure off and improve QC. Honor 3 women instead of 5 per year. Simply manufacture the Proof version of… Read more »

harryg

I must add, Dollar coins? America has rejected the concept of Dollar coins in circulation a long time ago. Thankfully, we will eventually run out of dead Presidents to honor.

Domenic Vaiasicca

I have to laugh. Before everyone was complaining of the mint website crashing, Bots, the inability to purchase coins on release day, and not enough coins. So the mint upped the mintage,added wait rooms, subscriptions. Now its all too many coins of this or that and why it didnt sell out. I see a definite divider between coin flippers/investors and numismatists.

Christo

I’m laughing also. I guess complaining is happiness for many. Not to mention the politics on this forum is getting out of hand lately.

Tom

The difference is that there are those like me who want ‘one’ of an item, and under old rules it was a crap shoot against the big hitters. now with subscription one can get that item, and after giving people a chance (weeks or months) the mint can lift their limits, etc.

Jeff Legan

I still believe the Mint should base how many they produce of any item on how many subscriptions they get, plus a small percentage more, no more than 10%. I enrolled for proof ASEs in 2007. I only had to fight the crowds and bots when the Mint released special sets. I always wished I could subscribe to those as well. I got locked out of a special one in 2017, the only time that has happened to me so far.

Christo

I recall the battle to get the 2019-S enhanced reverse proof ASE. I got one but haven’t been down that road since. Life is too short.

Antonio

That was 2021. Each year is different. And besides, Trump did loose in 2020.

Antonio

Such is always refreshing. I apologize about bringing politics into this. I thought it was funny but forget some people don’t think so. I personally don’t take politics that seriously as it’s always fluctuating.

Kaiser Wilhelm

Antonio,

I’ve promised myself to avoid any mention of politics; it’s just not worth it.

Last edited 8 months ago by Kaiser Wilhelm
REB

Put me on the happier now than then side of the divide. I hated the bots and flippers. Now I get what I want without having to get into a bidding war on eBay.

harryg

I will be happy with 1 example of each Morgan Dollar, Peace Dollar, and ASE each year via subscription as long as the quality is acceptable.

Christo

Kaiser,
My ‘Bright Side’ comment of the day is I received my trio of proof Morgan and Peace in the mail yesterday and today and except for a minor milk spot on one of the Peace, flawless beautiful coins all. My grandkids will enjoy Birthdays and Christmas even more this year.

Jeff Legan

Hi Reb, I am happier, but not satisfied yet unless all products can be subscribed to. That 2019 ASE with an arbitrarily low mintage of 30000? I do not want to see those low mintage numbers again unless only 20 some thousand subscribed + 10% max additional minted put us there. This will mean all the collectors will be able to always get one and the flippers will not know which coins will be valuable until the subscriptions close (which would be when the Mint releases final subscription and mintage numbers). Let the flippers fight over the remaining 10% or… Read more »

Seth Riesling

Jeff Legan,

Last numbers I saw a couple of years ago, the Mint has reduced it’s number of employees greatly over the last 10 years or so. Robots & electric eyes they use now cannot beat the hand inspection of a human who knows the coins best. Proof sets at the San Francisco Mint used to be individually inspected quickly by a trained person until maybe 20 years ago.

NumisdudeTX

Jeff Legan

Hi Seth,
That explains a lot. Maybe AI (as opposed to my friend Al. Yes, first and third instance of use are a capital i, 2nd one is a small L) can help in the future. I would think AI could end up putting coin graders out of work, too. I would think computer intelligence would be good at that type of work.

Jeff Legan

Funny, before I posted the comment the capital i and the small L looked exactly the same. Now the capital i has the horizontal bar at the top and bottom. So much for my rare attempt at humor.

Jeff Legan

Hi Kaiser Wilhelm,
I like your idea about the Kennedy half dollars. Lots of people do not even know they are still being made. Kennedy has about as much relevance to the America of today as Reagan. I have not heard a Democrat mention Kennedy with reverence for at least as long as the last time I heard a Republican mention Reagan with the same. I seem to recall some years ago they made a one time new version of the Walking Liberty half. Am I remembering correctly? I think I bought one.

Seth Riesling

Jeff Legan,

The Mint did indeed make a gold Kennedy half dollar in 2014 & a gold Walking Liberty half dollar in 2016.

NumisdudeTX

Rich

Hi Jeff, your memory serves you correctly – the Walking Liberty 2016 Centennial Gold Coin

WLH-obv-rev.jpg
Jeff Legan

Hi Rich, Nice to see you are still active. I did see Major D welcome you back not too long ago so I knew you were still around, but I was wondering for a while. I noticed your absence. My memory wasn’t that good, hahaha. I did not remember it was Gold. I never got one. The only Gold I have ever purchased were 2 of the 2009 UHR Double Eagles (1 to sell, which I still haven’t. There is a defect in the wooden box. The coin is not secure and falls out if you hold the box upside… Read more »

Last edited 8 months ago by Jeff Legan
Rich

Jeff, thanks for the kind words. The old St Gaudens Double Eagle is also my all-time favorite American coin. The two 2009 UHR Double Eagles you purchased have sure appreciated nicely over the last 24 years, going from the original Mint issue price of $1,189 (and then $1,089 when it was available for purchase a second time later in 2009) to a secondary-market retail price of about $2,750 today (ungraded US Mint OGP). Even the OGP Box & COA sells for $40 and the OGP Book sells for $20 by themselves.

Jeff Legan

With your fact filled and informative contributions to this site, you earned those kind words. I have often thought you could author a few articles yourself here. Over the years, I have thought about purchasing another box on the secondary market but what always stops me is the possibility that I would end up with 2 defective boxes. Nobody ever mentioned that issue so I have no idea how extensive it was, and so many people grade coins nowadays that many might not have even noticed or cared that the box was defective.

Jeff Legan

Well Major D, even if it is never more than us three, at least I am in good company.

Seth Riesling

Major D, Your description of the state of the coin hobby is spot on. PCGS started slabbing coins in 1986 & NGC in 1987 & they plus ANACS have graded almost every truly rare U.S. coin in the past 37 years. I heard from an NGC employee that NGC makes almost half of their annual profit from grading all types of the ASE $1 coins alone. If the Mint stops making them, NGC is out of business basically. NGC grades more of those coins than PCGS because they give dealers & auction houses a big break on the per coin… Read more »

Seth Riesling

Major D,

That would be disastrous of course. The thing to remember is that the third party graders only offer an opinion, but they guarantee it for as long as the company is in business. And, other TPGs all offer “crossover” grading services for coins in another company’s slabs.

NumisdudeTX

Seth Riesling

Major D,

“Trust, but verify.” – President Ronald Reagan.

NumisdudeTX

Gary

Happy with the coins. Has anyone noticed that the S mint mark is slightly larger on the Peace dollar compared to the Morgan?

Jeff Legan

Hi Gary,
That is how they look in the pictures at the top of the article.

Chris Terp

Not a fan of Mint quality control folks. Marks on my Morgan and Peace coins. This Morgan has pits on the right side of her head and a small booger hanging out of her nose 🙁

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Chris Terp

The Peace Dollars have pits over them. This Morgan is 3.4x zoom from my mobile phone 🙁

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Chris Terp

That’s good news to learn of Major D.

I’ll give it a go this weekend on the Morgan & Peace dollars. Fingers crossed all will be well.

I watched some program on TV about the Mint some 10 – 15 years ago. Mint was so proud of the proof coin program and showed their employees wearing white gloves and handling each coin individually stressing how important it is to keep the coins blemish-free. I hope when I pop the cases to be pleasantly surprised just dust / debris atop the coins and not on them.

Rooster

Keep us updated if you don’t mind Chris and good luck.

Jeffrey Schwartz

I finally cancelled my Morgan Proof order. No. 1, the order was seemingly stuck “processing” for a long time. Weird. And No.2, I’m concerned about quality. The thought of going through the process of returning a sucky Proof coin (very technical word there) .. not worth the hassle. I’m seeing too many QA examples where that possibility weighs on my mind.

Last edited 8 months ago by Jeffrey Schwartz
Jeff Legan

I tend to agree, Major D. Remember, you will always hear more about the complaints than compliments (long ago I worked for a department store, so I know–May Company, if anyone is interested). My proof Morgan looks perfect to me. My proof Peace has a small scratch on the reverse (slight possibility it could be contamination, I did not open it to look closer, it wasn’t that important to me right now. Maybe someday), but it is not like that is the first time that has happened to me after buying from the Mint regularly for 16 years. If they… Read more »

Jeffrey Schwartz

Jeff,
I’d be heartbroken receiving a scratched proof coin. So, the emotional roller-coaster of eagerly awaiting a beautiful collectible, only to get damaged goods, is part of what weighs on me, too. Part of the potential hassle. I cherish the Morgan and Peace history. A big reason I started collecting. Wonderful coins. Delighted they’re back. But a scratched Proof is unacceptable QA. My opinion fwiw. The irony is my local coin dealer only offers spot for Proof silver dollars. Quoting him, “Pffft, Why a premium for Proofs?! — they’re too good! Spot.”

Last edited 8 months ago by Jeffrey Schwartz
Jeff Legan

Hi Jeffrey, Thanks for your comments. I have seen a few of your posts over the past few weeks, maybe a month. I think you might have started posting when the Morgan/Peace articles started appearing. In the real world, things are rarely perfect, why should coins be any different? I must have, I don’t know, maybe 50-100 ASEs now. It would be unrealistic to expect they were all perfect, the world just does not work like that. I really wish it did, though. I am pretty sure I am a classic “dreamer”. Your coin dealer that offers spot for proof… Read more »

Jeff Legan

Thanks for information Major D. The time is getting closer to when I will have to sell most of my coins. I want to sell most of them before I die rather than having whoever would end up with my coins after my death leave money on the table because they have no idea of their value. There are a few I enjoy so much I will keep them until death.

Seth Riesling

Jeff,

I am taking my best coins with me to the “afterlife” like King Tut took his treasures with him (& then we stole them from him). Tomb robbers will have to pry my coins from my skeleton hands! Lol.

NumisdudeTX

Jeff Legan

Hi Seth, If it follows historical averages, your tomb will be looted anywhere from days to around 50 years after internment unless you hide it successfully or have eternal guards. I do not want any permanent marker, a hole in the ground (preferably in some woods) and no coffin is fine for me. Interestingly, I did know a guy who was buried with an item worth a million or millions of dollars. The great thing is that the item does not look valuable or desirable unless you know its historical significance, so I am pretty sure it wasn’t stolen from… Read more »

Seth Riesling

Jeff,

There was a lady in San Antonio in the 70s I think & she was buried in her convertible luxury car with a formal evening dress on & it made national news & even got a comment by Johnny Carson on his show. They poured cement into the grave covering her & the car for eternity. Yes, you can take it with you! Lol.

NumisdudeTX

Jeff Legan

Hi Kaiser Wilhelm,
I kind of like the idea of replacing cemeteries with forests, with a body fertilizing each tree seedling.

Jeff Legan

Good one!

Jeff Legan

Kids and Teens are why collectors sometimes find unexpected treasures amongst the circulating coinage. I got that 1996-W dime Antonio keeps (amusingly) complaining about with a fingerprint on it, out of a vending machine at work as change in the early 2000s. No fingerprint! But I put it in my 5 gallon plastic water jug that I toss old circulating coins in. I knew it was unusual, but was not into collecting until a few years later. It probably isn’t scratched yet, since the jug hasn’t been moved since before I added that one to it.

Crystal Meth

I’m hoping my subscription for the reverse proof 2023 Morgan & Peace hold it’s value.

Any thoughts? Should I cancel?

Matthew Wheeler

So I got six and five of each of the uncirculated and I got seven of each of the proofs and all of my clients came flawless in perfect condition. I was wondering if anybody sent theirs back I wouldn’t want to send money back because I would be afraid I wouldn’t get it but all of mine were fine, so I don’t understand why they were so many people complaining I think they’re just the resellers and that’s it

Dave

Where can i buy Morgan silver dollars

Jeff Legan

Dave, The better question to ask is where can you buy genuine Morgan Silver Dollars, which is the question that is stopping me from collecting old ones. Even if someone tells you that you can trust dealer x, can you really? Probably the only old ones that you can be 99% sure are real are worn and with the highest mintages (because the Chinese wouldn’t bother, I hope). I suspect even trusted dealers have had some counterfeits pass through their hands. I see ads all the time now saying things like “we just found 3000 brilliant uncirculated Morgan’s in a… Read more »

Jeffrey Schwartz

Jeff, “because the big money is in slabbed coins with a high grade.” Should I be worried about buying 2023 Morgan and Peace MS70 and PR slabbed PCGS silver dollars, right now? I agree buying from the Mint is best. But I want, without worry, high-quality (no scratches, spots, etc.) silver dollars – even at a higher price. So I don’t have to worry about a flawed product. Alas, if China is into the PCGS (slabbed) business, should I be concerned about the listings for these coins on ebay, too?? Because of Mint QA issues, (see attached), I’m looking in… Read more »

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Jeff Legan

Hi Jeffrey, I guess it depends on how quickly the Chinese learn to counterfeit the new ones. I would guess you could safely buy them on the secondary market for now, but for how long I do not know. I sure hope they can’t manage it within a matter of weeks or months. Just for the time it takes to ship stuff from China, you are probably quite safe for around 3 months. Maybe they won’t bother for a while because they are not expensive enough coins yet. Would their methods be sophisticated enough to produce convincing fake proofs? They… Read more »

Jeffrey Schwartz

Jeff,
This:
You could ask if an individual you are buying a new Morgan or Peace Dollar from on the secondary market can produce a receipt from the Mint for their slabbed coin, along with the rest of the original materials.”
Is a great idea. Thank you.

P.S. White glove guy 100%

Jeff Legan

You are welcome. I am glad I could help.

Seth Riesling

Major D,

“anywhere” is right on target! The Mint struck hundreds of millions of Morgan dollars of course since 1878…and Mints in Communist China are still striking them in very high quality & it’s not against the law there. They will even throw in a free fake PCGS, NGC or ANACS slab to display them in!

NumisdudeTX

Fviia

Wanted to point out an observation. Peace showed up just before the weekend. All coins were in their boxes in the same way, same position, as expected via any automation by USMint. They were perfect, no flaws. No compare to my experience with the Morgans. They were not in the boxes in the same position, and had flaws. Why? I am betting that these were returns to the USMint from pre-sales.

Bubba

I wasn’t going to open my coins up, but decided to in order to get a look at them. There is green stuff under the capsule in a number of them. I have a number of coins that have an identical scratch between one and dollar on reverse. So I assume something was in the die. Too hard to photograph. What is the difference between an error and a defect? I included a photo of the one with the green stuff. There doesn’t seem to be any quality control.

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Bubba

I went through all 25 coins. 5 had the same scratch between the one and dollar.
1 had some scrapes which was unique to the box. 17 had the same gouge to the E in STATES. 3 coins did not have either problem. So 22 out of 25 have an issue. I think these should be varieties since there seems to be so many with the same problem.

Jeff Legan

That is terrible. I hate doing returns of anything, but I probably would here. 22 out of 25, man. I really do not know much about error coins, but there are some that are considered valuable that I think to myself “really?” I am uncertain as to the one you say is scraped.

Jeff Legan

Hi Bubba, I am not an expert on this by any means, but I would think any scratches or gouges will always subtract value, while anything that happened during the manufacturing process to make a coin appear different than its peers will add value. I still think the coins John Haney got for example, would be worth more not less. I could be wrong, there does not seem to be a consensus so far. His pictures and the comments are somewhere above, if you didn’t see them. Were you subscribed or did you order yours later? Maybe you got someone’s… Read more »

Ken

Bubba I saw where you mentioned you weren’t going to open them up. I think you are talking about the cardboard box they are shipped in? What are the pros and cons of such strategy. I have started leaving some of mine in their box after a local coins store said it could increases value. Just interested in y’alls thoughts.

Jeff Legan

Hi Ken, I have been keeping all the ones that come to me for since 2019 now in their original shipping cartons because the cabinet I bought to keep my coins in originally (in 2007 or 2008) became full, so I started doing this accidentally. These cartons are starting to take up a lot of space in the room. A Con. I started seeing people selling “unopened cartons” on ebay and such, not sure if before or after I started keeping them in their cartons. The first time I saw that kind of thing previously was “unopened” “Magic the Gathering”… Read more »

Mike Petraitis

I have 4 of each that I want to sell but nobody is interested in buying them .I want to sell them for what I bought them for from the US mint.