Set Description
Pam's Peace Dollar Set has been a constant work in progress for many years now. The original goal for this set was for all the coins to grade a minimum of MS-65, not only based on what it says on the label, but also based on the coins overall eye appeal. As this set has been assembled, we became enamored with the beauty of nearly flawless coins and started acquiring the highest grade possible. To that end, this set now boasts 13 "Top Pop" Coins, with seven Coins grading MS67 or better including one of the only two Peace Dollars ever making the MS68 Grade at NGC. Three of the 13 "Top Pops" in this set are singularly unique being only 1 of 1 with none higher for their respective date and mint mark. Of the almost 3/4 of a million Peace Dollars NGC has graded, as of this writing, only 23 coins exist in a higher numerical mint state than assembled in this set. Two of the "Top Pops" are Unique with the NGC Star Designation.
The Basic objectives for each coin in this very personal set are simple. The first thing the coin must possess is outstanding luster. Almost all the coins assembled to this point are what most dealars call "Blast White" with absolutely minimal coloring or toning. The coins must also have the strongest strike possible for that date and mint mark, and absolutely have NO carbon spots.
Roger Burdette's Guide Book of Peace Dollars has been an excellent asset in understanding which dates and mint marks are strike issues. We have observed many very high grade Peace Dollars slabbed by both PCGS and NGC that grade MS-65 or higher that are terrible strikes, or have very unattractive color or toning. In our opinion, to make the MS-65 grade the strike must be full, and the luster the same as the day the coin came off the press.
The task of finding the "S" mint coins in true MS-65 or better will always remain the challenge. "S" mint Peace Dollars coins are by far usually weak strikes, and covered with excessive bag marks.
The original ultimate goal for this set is for every coin to have full "Blast White" original mint luster, be full strikes, demonstrate outstanding eye appeal, have no carbon spotting and grade at least a full MS-65. Several exceptions to this criteria were necessary with regard to the "Top Pop" coins. The 1922D* exhibits a slight swipe of golden toning across the face resulting in the "star" attribute. At MS67* with the Robert Moreno pedigree, this "Top Pop" coin was a wonderful addition to this set. Several other "Top Pops" are so conditionally rare, and were only available with modest minimal natural toning attesting to their originality. In general most of the coins assembled here are absolutely Blast White, and still what most dealers consider "Blast White" .
Needless to say, the endeavor will probably take forever and be on more than the pricy side, especially with the "S" mints, but a showcase set is the ultimate goal, and we always have our eye out for a coin better than what we already have!
