Recommendations for the Connoisseur: Morgan dollars lend themselves to building a collection within a collection. Among Carson City issues, a set can be made of the early varieties produced continuously through 1878 through 1885. Although 1879-CC is elusive, thousands of them exist, and a set of 1878-CC to 1885-CC dollars can be assembled without undue difficulty. Carson City dollars of the later range, those minted from 1889 through 1893, are considerably harder to find, but still are very collectible. A set of New Orleans dollars offers another possibility, as does a set of San Francisco dollars. Here is one idea for a specialized collection: Build a set of date and mintmark varieties of 1878-1921 dollars in nicely matched MS-63 and MS-64 grade, except for the half dozen or so rarer issues, for which you can determine your own budget and grade level. Such a collection, containing nearly 100 coins, forms a beautiful exhibit.

Elite Recommendations: Build a set in MS-65 grade, sharply struck, each coin selected for lustrous, frosty surfaces (I personally prefer these to prooflike finish coins, but you may differ). For the Philadelphia Mint coins buy Proof-65 examples. Be very fussy all the way, and select coins with superb aesthetic appeal. Over a period of time you should be able to acquire all but two or three varieties (1886-O is a prime rarity and is virtually unobtainable in MS-65, for example), and these can be obtained in MS-63 or MS-64 preservation. A good way to go is to look at many slabbed coins and then cherrypick those which meet your qualifications for striking and aesthetic appeal. For some issues you may have to view a couple dozen or more certified coins before finding one which is just right, but your patience will be rewarded when you acquire a long sought-after variety.

Peace Dollars (1921-1935)

Peace silver dollars have also been popular in recent years, not as popular as Morgan dollars, but still very much in the center of activity. Unlike Morgan dollars, all Peace dollars are readily available in Uncirculated grade, and the building of a set of 24 different varieties minted from 1921 through 1935 is a definite possibility for just about everyone, although the 1934-S is apt to be expensive. A Mint State 1934-S costs a couple of thousand dollars or more, depending upon the degree of quality.