Will I Get MS-65 Out Of This Morgan?

Yes, I did pay for variety attribution. The cheap version, as SuperDave took responsibility for the VAM 1E identification.

Here is an expanded pic of the neck area. The die clash is evident. I don't know what to look for on the reverse, though.

I am not in the least surprised to see variations in opinion from AU58 to MS65.
Personally, I can't see it making MS65, there are just too many minor marks, therefore MS64.

Which brings me to the subject of wear. I didn't see any with a casual look.
Now, I am not so sure, regarding no wear.
If there is any VERY MINIMAL wear, it has been nicely toned over.
That, for me, is what makes this piece a 'slider'.

Before submitting it to a TPG, have a look at those high points under high magnification. 15x or 20x would be best, and make up your own mind if there IS, in fact, any wear.

Remember the TPG's are not so savage with examination under high power.
As I understand it, they have an industry standard to examine coins at 10x.

IF there is any wear, AU58, unfortunately.
And you would have a LOT of buyers at AU58 for this piece!

Just as I called it MS64 from ANACS this is probably a MS65 coin @ PCGS today. The VAM is great. I wonder if the 1 point difference is due to the dark brown toning? I like them that way but so many don't, the luster looked pretty darn good in your origianl photos.

Nice call on the VAM!

I'm not surprised at the grade. As far as I'm concerned, ANACS is the only place to send Morgans. John Roberts - ANACS' Director of Attribution - sees every Morgan that goes through the building and there's no better VAMmer or grader alive when it comes to the issue. You can trust this slab.

Oops, posted before reading the whole thread. I also have some stupid, too-long-out-of-the-game questions:

* What, precisely, is a "slider"?
* Can you submit to ANACs without investing in a membership?

Thanks Westcoin. What I am interested in slabbing mostly are bust halves. Do you think ANACs is the way to go?

I am going to repeat a couple of westcoin's posts in part and add my own comments:

Westcoin: A "slider" is a coin that is very close to unc and may be called a "commercial unc" usually sold by large mail order houses. Most TPG's would AU them, but the still have lots of luster and or have been dipped to make them white again.

Key ad words for them in the magazines - blazing, UNC, Choice, Brilliant Uncirculated, etc. never a numerical grade assigned to them, usually worth bullion + a little, but not as much as a low grade MS60-63 TPG slabbed coin."

atchisonbj response: Absolutely. A coin dealer should be a PROFESSIONAL and as a buyer you should demand PROFESSIONALISM. That means the coin should get a numeric grade unless it's a details coin. Example if I sell a Very Fine-20 coin but its cleaned I would Say Very Fine Details - Cleaned. I would not sell a Morgan dollar as just Brilliant Uncirculated. As a professional I should and will stick a numeric grade on it such as MS-62. Another thing to remember is all those in between grades such as G-6, VG-10, F-15, VF-25, VF-35, AU-53, and AU-58. I use them if that what grade the coin earns even if will not mean a difference in price. If the VG-10 grade doesn't bump the price up over a VG-8 well that's fine my buyers win. But they also get to see my consistency on how I assign that grade. It wouldn't make a difference on say an 1897 Barber dime but an 1897-S Barber dime is another ballgame.

Westcoin: "ANACS is very good with varieties and the only real game for VAMs in Morgan and Peace dollars. PCGS doesn't attribute enough of them and NGC gets them wrong a lot. As to Bust halves I'd say ANACS or PCGS are your best bet, ANACS would cost less, PCGS will get you a better price when selling, but factor in all your costs to grade/slab them, Grading + attribution confirmation (if you already know the variety) research fee if you don't, Shipping, Insurance there and back, joining the club for PCGS, you'll find ANACS is a LOT less cost in general, but if a coin is worth over $500.00 I'd go with PCGS then."

atchisonbj response: Great point and correct. ANACS is consistent with their grading and I especially like how they grade details coins. Too bad ebay does appreciate ANACS as TPG professionals.