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 Replies: 7 / Views: 936 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
I'm practicing my grading skills. I've graded this one About Uncirculated, but I'm not adept enough to discern the differences between the numbers - 50, 55, 58. I, of course, would like to grade it, at least, an AU-58, but I'm a tenderfoot when it comes to grading. On the obverse - the hair above the ear shows wear; however, the hair above the eye is complete (just doesn't show up in scan) - some marks on the cheek and neck, some signs of some slight wear on the high points of the cap, the bolls, the leaves, and what appears, to me, to be minor damage to the rim-edge. On the reverse - minor scratches visible under magnification, and slight wear overall. Both sides of the coin exhibit good mint luster - even across the images, and, other than the above mentioned flaws(?) I see nothing to detract from the coin's beauty - maybe a little weak on the strike as has been pointed out to me in regards to O mint Morgans. So, how far off am I in my estimation of the grade? Image:  1898-O Morgan.jpg65.95 KB Image: 1898-O Morgan Reverse.jpg66.1 KB |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I'd say you're right on point. Without the coin in-hand, there's no way I'd come down firmly with opinion but I lean towards 53-55 considering the New Orleans strike.
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Valued Member
United States
151 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
Hi Ralph-- Another nice Morgan! Just to be somewhat contrary, what makes you think it's circulated? I know it's tough for us to grade from a scan, so we can't see the luster, but your description is pretty good. Granted, New Orleans mint Morgans are generally weak, but the 98-O was one of the sharper strikes although they were by no means as sharp as, say, San Francisco-struck coins of the same year. For an O Morgan, the Eagle's breast is unusually sharp and the few miniscule rim dings can be chalked off as bag marks. I'll take your word for it that there's minute signs of circulation, but at first blush, I'd call this one uncirculated, albeit perhaps low Mint State grade due to the rubs on Liberty's face and on the obverse field, the nicks on her lower neck, and considering the weaker strike of an O Morgan. Backed into a corner, I'd go with a slider at AU-58 or MS-60 to -62 since the luster is good all across the board. AU-55 and below will have noticably less luster due to circulation; handling a coin takes off the luster real fast. Of course, we have to admit that there's just some Morgans that we cannot accurately grade without having them in hand. Will send you my address...  Fred |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1703 Posts |
I can't see anything that would keep that from being a MS coin. Slightly weak strike above the ear. I believe if this were wear you would also see more wear on the eagles breast.A few what could be bag marks on the neck area but no major detracting hits.The 1898-0 was one of the coins released in the 1962 Treasury Release. They were somewhat rare before that time.I would bet this is one of the 1962 release coins.
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Valued Member
United States
199 Posts |
I would guess AU55-58, too much rub on the obverse hair above the ear to be MS.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1582 Posts |
Fred, to answer your contrary side - I assumed the weakness above the ear, and the minor rim damage was due to wear, and that this was a result of more than just being in a bag with a bunch of other Morgans.
The minute scratches on the reverse aren't visible to the naked eye; however, they are under magnification - they're definitly there. I'm finding that, in some cases, the magnifier can be your friend, and, in other cases, not such a good friend when trying to grade a coin.
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Rest in Peace
United States
2684 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by Ralph
Fred, to answer your contrary side - I assumed the weakness above the ear, and the minor rim damage was due to wear, and that this was a result of more than just being in a bag with a bunch of other Morgans.
The minute scratches on the reverse aren't visible to the naked eye; however, they are under magnification - they're definitly there. I'm finding that, in some cases, the magnifier can be your friend, and, in other cases, not such a good friend when trying to grade a coin.
Hee hee... Ralph, you just made my day!  I've been saying for years that there is no such thing as an MS-70 coin. Put a coin under enough magnification and the flaws will come out.  Fred |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 936 |
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1898-O Morgan.jpg
1898-O Morgan Reverse.jpg
Posted 09/25/2006 3:48 pm
