Bill Eckberg’s research article in this issue, on the “Science of Half Cent Values,” struck a particular chord with me, because it reminded me of how differently market values are determined in different U.S. coin series.

Demand alone can explain the high values spread across the Morgan dollar series, for example. The scarcest date in the series, the 1893-S, commands a price of $7,500 in VF-20: for an R1, on the Sheldon scale!

The 1889-CC, of which a couple of original bags are still credibly attested, will cost the aspiring owner $25,000 in baggy MS-60! In my opinion, it’s a matter of familiarity breeding demand. Every corner coin shop and flea market will display dozens of Morgan dollars. Buy a few common dates, and you may aspire to go after the scarcer ones. But there’s never any lack of supply. If you’ve got the dollars to spend, someone will have the coins – even an Unc. ‘89-CC.

Related posts:

1. An original, unmessed-with seated liberty coin is a true condition rarity.
2. Coin Collecting: Condition Rarity vs. Absolute Rarity
3. Too Good to be True
4. Your Guide to ANA’s World’s Fair of Money
5. NumisMedia FMV Price Guide Now Available on NGC Web Site
6. True Rarities Brighten Gloomy Baltimore – Pinnacle Rarities Market Report
7. The “Deal Shopping” Mentality and Rare Coin Prices
8. Mike Fuljenz Helps Author Scott A Travers in Placing Values on Gold Coins in the ‘Insider’s Guide to U.S. Coin Values 2008′
9. Coin Society Aims to Build Free Online US Coin Price Guide Using New Search Technology
10. Current gold $3 coin prices may present opportunities