Today’s Additions: My Numismatic Wins and Wisdom

What a great day for my collection! I managed to pick up some real treasures, and I’d love to share the excitement with you. As a fellow collector, you know that feeling when you finally upgrade a set or discover something special – let’s dive into today’s finds.

My New 1838 Coronet Head Large Cent

Scoring this 1838 Coronet Head large cent felt like hitting the jackpot for my type set. It’s a massive improvement over my current example. At first, I thought it might be uncirculated, but a closer look revealed some rim chatter and a die crack near the 2:00 position. After a careful acetone bath (rinsed with distilled water and dried), it cleaned up nicely, though the luster shows just enough breaks to suggest AU-58. When grading these, I always check the fields behind Liberty’s head between the stars on the front, and between “One” and the wreath on the back. That rim chatter? Honestly, it’s pretty common on these old coppers – just part of their history. The die crack actually gives it character and might point to a Newcomb-4 variety, so I’ll be digging through my reference books tonight to confirm.

Morgan Dollar Finds: The ’92-CC and Others

Along with the cent, I added a ’92-CC Morgan to my album – a decent example for the grade, though I’ll keep hunting for an upgrade. I also came across an ’89-CC priced fairly but looking cleaned and unappealing. With only 350,000 minted, the ’89-CC is scarce enough that even low-grade pieces cost serious money, so I might circle back if it’s still there. But I’m always extra careful with Carson City dollars – you’ve probably seen how many fakes are floating around. For raw coins like these, I live by VAM verification; matching die varieties to reference books has saved me more than once. Finding affordable, problem-free CC Morgans? It’s tough – they’re either worn smooth or priced sky-high, so patience pays off.

Grading and Authentication Tips from Today’s Haul

Today’s pickups reminded me of some collecting truths:

• Large Cent Grading: Focus on luster breaks in the fields – minimal disruptions usually mean AU-58. For Mint State coins, that luster needs to be uninterrupted.
• Handling Morgans: Always inspect raw Morgans for cleaning or counterfeits. Remember, what looks like damage might be a mint error like a “ragged rim” from planchet issues, so check marks carefully.
• Smart Collecting: AU coins often give you the best value – nearly as nice as Mint State but friendlier on the wallet. For rare dates, a fairly-priced details coin can fill a hole while you search for an upgrade.

Building My Morgan Dollar Set Without Going Broke

My dream is a BU Morgan set that doesn’t bankrupt me. I’m chasing tough dates like the elusive ’85-CC (mine’s in a GSA holder) and the ’93-S, where I might accept a details coin for now. It’s a marathon, not a sprint – I’ve learned the hard way, like when a raw ’99-P came back “MS-60 cleaned.” These days I lean toward certified coins when possible. I stick to a strict budget and track every purchase, finding that hunting for value pieces keeps the collection growing steadily.

Today reminded me why we love this hobby – that thrill of discovery mixed with careful examination. Whether you’re upgrading a type set or chasing rare Morgans, stay patient and trust your instincts. Every find tastes sweeter that way.