Here's a list of dollars notorious for having weak strikes. Within these issues, the collector may find a good strike only 5 to 10% of the time.

To the inexperienced collector the poorly struck areas of a coin may appear worn, or a lesser grade.

I strongly recommend Morgan and Peace Dollar collectors learn about poorly struck issues before attempting to add them to their collection. Otherwise they may experience a great deal of frustration, trying to locate something that simply doesn't exist in the marketplace.

Excellent reference books include:

• Red Book of Morgan Silver Dollars (2004) by Q. David Bowers.

• Morgan and Peace Dollar Textbook (1982) and An Analysis of Morgan and Peace Dollars (1976), by Wayne Miller.

Don't forget, the ANA library lends books by mail to its members -- a useful resource for Miller's out-of-print publications. Contact ANA Library Services for more information.

MORGAN DOLLARS

• 1891-O
• 1892-O
• 1894-O
• 1901
• 1921-S

PEACE DOLLARS

• 1921
• 1923-S
• 1925-S
• 1928-S

Important Note: When you find a sharp strike in a date known to be weakly struck, it generally costs more than a piece with an average strike.