1889-CC Morgan For Grading

Yeah, I suppose it could go either way. I still have it in the "market acceptable" camp, and at PCGS/NGC it probably also gets the key date leniency.

It's just too hard to tell without seeing it in person.

Excellent call!

I would not expect a TPG to detail grade this piece as cleaned. It appears market-acceptable for a VF+ piece. Sure it's probably been cleaned, but it doesn't appear harshly or improperly cleaned in the images provided.

everyone should be aware at this point that grading and assessing a coin especially one in holder is somewhat of a hit or miss compared to having it in hand where the coin can be manipulated so see the surfaces properly

could this one be cleaned? possibly but we have seen obviously cleaned coins in a straight holder. I didnt assign a details designation to this one as its not readily apparent using these photos and there are no signs of anything harsh been used on the coin. what that leaves is a possible dip and retoned and from past experience we know there is a fine line where dipping can become excessive and push the coin over the line to a details designation. I'm not seeing that here either. I have to agree with those calling a straight grade on this one.

compared this one to a couple VF30, 35 and XF40 PCGS graded coins. after reviewing these I'm going to stay with my XF40 straight grade.

here is one example that is very similar to the OP's coin graded XF40. if the coin grades straight it was a great buy. if it details, its still a good buy.

https://www.pcgs.com/auctionprices/...153367638683

Intresting Coin,

While Original Luster is Possibly there, As Seen on the Obverse, The pictures would indicate XF. Love the PUP's on this Dollar, The " 9 " is Quite Unique...

This Key Date Morgan silver dollar Had a Mintage of 350,000

Either Way, She's a Rare Beauty for Any Collection, There looks to be a Glimmer of Original Luster Under all the Age, on the Obv.
( XF-35 -40)

VF30, almost certainly details

Thanks for all the great thoughts and feedback and my apologies for the lack of response (this has become a weekend hobby as the work week is just crazy). Regardless, I saw all the posts and managed to carve out some time to catch up.

The point about the coin possibly being cleaned in it's 130+ years is certainly possible. To the best of my knowledge, however, my dad purchased and held the coins as a "hedge against inflation" and did nothing to the coins once they were in his possession.

What I can attest is that the coins and it's fellows were purchased in 1980/1981 from a coin dealer (I believe out of NY... dad kept receipts but it's a bit hard to match the invoice with the coins). Still, if I have the receipt matched properly, he purchased about 20 Morgan and Peace dollars for around $1000 (or around $3400 in 2024 dollars). That doesn't speak to the coins' intrinsic value and how that's changed in the last 40+ years but I can at least point to the likely purchase price and an average of $50 each.

Finally, I tried an experiment late Sunday to see if I could better answer the luster question. I'm sure this will be far from perfect - maybe not even watchable - but I held one of the coins up to a light source and rotated it while recording. I then took the video file and converted it to a WEBP format to show the animation... though it's significantly shrunk down to fit the 300kb attachment limit. Still, I'll include it for everyone's consideration... and maybe amusement.




Thanks again everyone!