Coin and Paper Money Collecting/COIN (MORGAN DOLLAR)

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/3/2009


Question
I HAVE A 1892 S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR. WHAT IS THE VALUE IF IT IS WORN, SOME ROUGH EDGES..   I HAVE LOOKED IT UP IN THE RED BOOK BUT NOT SURE OF ITS VALUE.    THE WINGS ON THE REVERSE ARE WORN SOMEWHAT. THE REVERSE OF THE HAIR FLOW IS WORN. DATES AND LETTERING ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. PLEASE ADVISE?  THANKS

Answer
Hi Earl:

Without a photo, or the actual coin to look at, it's hard to give an exact opinion as to the value of your Morgan dollar. The condition would be the determining factor. I'm not sure what you mean by "rough edges". If the coin is nicked, gouged, or has deep cuts in the edge it would be classified as damaged.

Your coin is struck in .900 Fine silver and contains approximately 3/4 of a troy ounce of silver. At the present value of silver, between $16 and $17 a troy ounce, your coin has a melt value of about $12.50. A recent issue of "Coin Values" shows a 1892S Morgan dollar to have a trends value of $20 in Good condition and $30 in Very Good condition. Based on your description, your coin likely falls into this range. Should you decide to sell your item to a dealer, realize they pay as little as 60% to 70% of retail, so you would get less then retail value.

Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

Coin and Paper Money Collecting

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.