e-Letters: Feb. 10, 2021

From the Jan. 22 Numismatic News e-Newsletter

Is recreating the original designs of the Morgan and Peace silver dollars for the 2021 anniversary coins a good idea?

Absolutely, positively yes. The 100th anniversary should be honored and celebrated. I suggested this on the U.S. Mint page in 2020.

Bill Zearfoss
via Facebook

I think it’s a great idea. I think more people will get interested in numismatics. Plus they would [be] a beautiful gift for someone. I know I will be purchasing them if they become available.

Ken Siuda
Address withheld

Yes, it is because this is the anniversary of the original designs. So shouldn’t they keep the designs?

Conner Hopfer
Address withheld

The Morgan silver dollar, definitely yes, but not so of the Peace silver dollar. The Morgan, in my opinion, will always be a beautiful coin. The size and weight adds to the beauty. Brings back the Wild Wild West days – Cowboys, cattle runs, outlaws, our American history – Carson City, the Comstock Lode story and other the silver mine stories (Tombstone – the mine is under the town). I can say as a collector, the only Morgan I don’t have is the proof 1895 and probably never will, but that’s OK.

I have all the Peace silver dollars, but they just don’t grab me the way the Morgans do.

Maybe the U.S. Mint would make all the Morgan 2021 with a mistake, maybe a double date or D/S mintmark? But they would have to do it to all coins produced and not have a limited production number.

That, in my opinion, would drive sales through the roof. A recreation of a Morgan variety that everyone and anyone could own.

Now that’s a novel idea.

Michael McLoughlin
Manchester, U.K.

Looking forward to adding them to my collection.

William Rodgers
Address withheld

No, because the Mint will make 100 of them. They will sell out in 10 seconds, and the Mint website will crash.

The average collector will never have a chance to own one. So why bother.

A. Benton
Address withheld

Yes, I was pleased to learn about the new Morgan/Peace dollars. I will be able to add to my Morgan collection a “perfect” Morgan silver dollar.

Reading in Coin World and NN discussion of what might be the presentation: uncirculated and proof, perhaps multiple mints. That would make a nice selection.

Hope the Mint produces enough coins – and their website doesn’t crash – for everyday collectors to purchase at least one uncirculated and one proof Morgan/Peace dollar.

Goal might be to get same from each mint.

It would be nice if individual collectors got a break over those who use proxies to get multiples. Just my opinion.

Gregg Moser
Address withheld

I think it’s a great idea. Both are classic dollars. I plan to acquire some.

Michael McKinnon
Address withheld

The Mint made a 100-year commemorative for the 1916 Mercury dime, Standing Liberty quarter and Walking Liberty half dollar.

It is only natural that 100 years for the last year of the Morgan and first year of the Peace dollar be made. Here at the coin store that I assist, the collector is looking forward to seeing this commemorative and placing them next to their Gem Brilliant uncirculated Morgan.

This allows to place a piece of craftsmanship from old and new side-by-side to inspire the younger generations. We [will] see an increase [in] activity when this coin hits the market.

Carl Hornburger
Integrity Coin Store
Poquoson, Va.

If it doesn’t fall to cancel culture or a rendition of African American, I think it should be a high relief, laser-cut, modern art of enhancing her exactly as history shows, not making old mistakes by trying to change our past and make it something it isn’t. The Morgan is a beautiful work of art. Maybe even used in a shadowing form with lasers or on a flat part of the dollar in the background.

A two-headed coin would be different, LOL. That would knock everyone’s socks off.

Two heads on one side, one shadowing the other.

Just a few of my ideas.

Danny Yeary
Cleveland, Ohio

For the money that the Mint will charge for these, I could buy several of the real thing. Commemorative coins that commemorate coins? Think about it!

Norman Grange
Detroit, Mich.

The CCAC is getting lazy.

Steven B. Gray
Sylva, N.C.

No. I do not believe this is needed. It won’t affect what we, the customers and collectors, say or do because they already have the new designs made.

Plus, when they put these new coins on sale, the Mint’s servers will crash again like most other times making us, the collectors, disappointed again. In addition, I can’t imagine how much the Mint will charge for the coins.

The Mint should focus on our circulating coins and make changes to them.

Name and address withheld

Not a good idea. Just more stuff to buy at elevated prices from the Mint. Best to wait for the secondary market if you have to have one.

Todd Hardt
Address withheld

You can never replace the original. The stamping machines are too different to make up for a replica of these coins that will be satisfactory to many people.

William Johnston
Address withheld

I cannot wait for them to go on sale this year. This will be one of the best U.S. Mint products that the Mint has produced. Also, they will honor the Carson City and New Orleans Mints, too.

Allan Parker
Hartsdale, N.Y.

Yes, they are gorgeous coins that are hard to beat!

David Nestander
Address withheld

My first reactions are: one, the initial proposed legislation stated funding would be for the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and its numismatic endeavors, and does still hold correct? Also, two, would two coins be classed a continuation of the once-stopped Morgan and Peace dollars, and then ignite to a resurrection for those?

The latter point two is not be laughed about: the United States Congress and the Mint have been readily known to create “rarities” at the price and abuse of the average hobbyist.

The other comment is a reflection. Back in 2006, the hobby was enthused with the Old Granite Lady coinages. Funding was told to be for a Gold Rush/Numismatic exhibit, and that never did happen. The San Francisco Historical Society “just ran” with the funds. So, does the ANA have claim? Yes or no?

For one who has abandoned the United States Mint, for this, yours truly would purchase, unless there are gimmicks, like Press #1 at the Nevada State Museum special strikes, or reversed proofs, or privy marks.

The United States Mint needs to keep this special historical recreation simple and available to all.

Michael S. Turrini
Vallejo, Calif.

Editor’s Note: We have reached out to the U.S. Mint for comment on whether these coins’ proceeds will benefit the ANA. We will publish an update when we know more.

Magnificent designs and beautiful.

Why not?!

Name and address withheld

It is a very good idea! Do it!

David Nestander
Galesburg, Ill.

Heck, yes! After years of collecting the originals in affordable grades, collectors will enjoy acquiring Proof-69 and MS-69 versions at affordable prices. The designs are wonderful classic works of art. The new issues will also entice new collectors into acquiring the originals of the last two centuries.

Bruce R Frohman
Modesto, Calif.