Q. David Bowers
In the March 1967 issue of The Numismatist, the Coen-Messer Co. offered Uncirculated dollars in two categories. The introductory text noted this:
Our average BU is a coin that has the usual bagmarks and where there is an asterisk the coin is generally weakly struck and not fully brilliant. The Select BU coin is generally well struck with a mini-mum of bagmarks, full natural lustre. Our lower priced category is generally in line with the offerings of most other dealers-both in quality and price. The Select BU coin is quite competitive with the few dealers who offer a similar quality coin. Every collector now has the opportunity of selecting the quality of coin he wishes to put into his collection.
1921 Avg. BU $21.00, Select BU $40.00.
1922 Avg. BU $2.25, Select BU $2.50.
1922-D Avg. BU $4.25, Select BU $5.50.
1922-S Avg. BU $4.25, Select BU $5.50.
1923 Avg. BU $2.25, Select BU $2.50.
1923-D Avg. BU $7.50, Select BU $10.00.
1923-S Avg. BU $4.50, Select BU $6.00.
1924 Avg. BU $2.50, Select BU $3.00.
1924-S* Avg. BU $29.00, Select BU $40.00.
1925 Avg. BU $2.50, Select BU $3.00.
1925-S Avg. BU $13.00, Select BU $17.50.
1926 Avg. BU $8.00, Select BU $10.00.
1926-D Avg. BU $9.00, Select BU $11.00,
1926-S Avg. BU $6.00, Select BU $8.00.
1927 Avg. BU $19.00, Select BU $23.00.
1927-D Avg. BU $22.00, Select BU $30.00.
1927-S Avg. BU $39.00, Select BU $45.00.
1928 Avg. BU $75.00, Select BU $85.00.
1928-S Avg. BU $20.00, Select'BU $27.50.
1934 Avg. BU $18,00, ,Select 'BU$25.00.
1934-D Avg, BU $21.00, Select BU $27.50.
1934-S Avg. BU $170.00, Select BU $225.00.
1935 Avg. BU $13.00, Select BU $20.00.
1935-S Avg. BU $40.00, Select BU $55.00.
In the March 1967 issue of The Numismatist, Bebee's offered the following Peace dollars. As can be seen from contemporary advertisements, the market was beginning to emphasize .differences in quality.
1921 Choice Unc. $27.50.
1922 Choice Unc. $1.75.
1922-D Choice Unc. $4.75.
1923 Choice Unc. $1.75.
1923-D Choice Unc. $8.50.
1923-S Choice Unc. $5.50.
1924 Choice Unc. $3.50.
1924-S Choice Unc: $42.50.
1925 Choice Unc. $2.75.
1925-S Choice Unc. $17.50.
1926 Choice Unc. $1050.
1926-D Choice Unc. $11.00.
1926-S Choice Unc. $7.50.
1927 Choice Unc. $24.00.
1927-D Choice Unc. $32.50.
1927-S Choice Unc. $42.50.
1928 Choice Unc, $82.50.
1934 Choice Unc, $19.75.
1935-S Choice Unc, $49.00.
The February 1969 issue of The Numismatist in-cluded the following advertisement from the Coen-Messer Co. featuring Uncirculated silver dollars said to be of select quality (unless otherwise noted). By this tirrie the price of silver bullion had risen on world markets, and the public was avidly hoarding silver coins. The price increments for commoner issues are more a reflection of bullion price advances than additional demand in the rare coin market.
1921 Average Unc. $25.00, Sharp Unc. $50.00.
1922 Unc. $3.50.
1922-D Unc, $6.50.
1922-S Unc. $6.50.
1923 Unc. $3.50.
1923-D Unc. $15.00.
1923-S Unc. $5.50.
1924 Unc. $5.00.
1924-S Unc. $40.00.
1925 Unc. $5.00.
1925-S Unc. $20.00.
1926 Unc, $9.00.
1926-D Unc, $15.00.
1926-S Unc. $8.00.
1927 Unc. $35.00.
1927-D Unc, $35.00.
1927-S Unc. $60.00.
1928 Unc. $100.00.
1928-S Unc. $27.50.
1934 Unc, $23.00.
1934-D Unc. $35.00.
1935 Unc. $14.00.
1935-S Vnc. $65.00.
The Bowers and Ruddy Galleries sale of the Austin Collection, May 31 and June 1, 1974, offered these Peace dollars, among others.
1921 Brilliant Unc. MS-65. $160.00.
1921 MS-65. $110.00.
1921 MS-60. $80.00.
1921 AV. $47.50
1927 MS-65. $57.50.
1928 MS-65. $250.00.
1934-D VF. $9.00.
1934-S MS-65. $600.00.
1934-S MS-60/65. $175.00.
In the September 1974 issue of The Numismatist, the Old Coin Shop (Harlan White), San Diego, advertised Peace dollars at the following prices. Note the $450 listing for the 1934-S, the demand for which increased each year. An old-timer in the coin trade, White was conservative and had not yet differentiated his coins by quality within the Uncirculated category.
1921 Unc. $50.00.
1923-D Unc. $8.00.
1924-S Unc. $40.00.
1925-S Unc. $40.00.
1926 Unc. $12.00.
1926-D Unc. $12.00.
1926-S Unc. $12.00.
1927 Unc. $25.00.
1927-D Unc. $50.00.
1927-S Unc. $70.00.
1928 Unc. $120.00.
1928-S Unc. $40.00.
1934 Unc. $20.00.
1934-D Unc. $40.00.
1934-S Unc. $450.00.
1935 Unc. $20.00.
1935-S Unc. $60.00.