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Go over those two dates, line by line. I just did, and the only differences I saw were specks in the cotton bolls, leaves and wheat kernels. And they're specks in an unimportant area, grading-wise. Maybe the eagle's lower right leg, but only maybe because that's a really low-contrast area on the 1879. Once you get the difference in color and contrast out of your mind, they're as close to identical as I've ever seen two Morgans. I was actually sort of flabbergasted at how close they were, line by line.
Now that you mention it. I've got to agree with you. The color and slightly deeper strike of the 89 does make it look like a higher grade, but details wise they are almost identical. That said, I still think they are both textbook F-12's.