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 Replies: 21 / Views: 2,495 |
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Valued Member
United States
158 Posts |
Have a look at this (ungraded) 1886 Morgan and give me your comments, please. Granted, the photos aren't the best I've ever done, but I was in a bit of a hurry.
Seller seems to think it might be MS-64.....I'm more inclined to say MS-63. Coin definitely looks better in hand than in the photos. What say you, CCF experts ? Is this a keeper ?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
I would say MS-63 for this one. Quite a bit of chatter on the cheek and obverse fields and, also, looks like it may have been dipped a couple of times. Might even go MS-62 if the luster is somewhat dull in hand.
I don't think it would make MS-64.
Edited by fenton
12/07/2011 11:42 am
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Valued Member
 United States
158 Posts |
Thanks, Fenton....you know I value all opinions. Might have to liberate her from the AirTite and double-check that chatter.....not sure if it's on the coin or the holder.
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Valued Member
Canada
153 Posts |
original mint luster, definitely MS-63+
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4944 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
I would lean towards MS-63. Looks like a nice coin!
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
It may just be the angle and lighting, but there appears to be a lot of chatter marks on the cheeck and neck. I would not pay more than MS62+ for this one based on this photo. In hand may be a different story.
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Valued Member
United States
158 Posts |
Thanks, all. I'll break her out later for a better look, and possibly some better photos. She's on loan until I make a decision whether or not to buy.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Your photos are quite good for a "newbie".  You just need to diffuse that light a bit. When I attempt to grade Uncirculated coins (especially Morgans) I start from the top and work down. By this I mean a perfect strike on a perfect planchet that is retrieved off the press with cotton gloves and flawlessly preserved would be a 70. Of course all business strikes went down that chute and impacted their brethren, so the idea of an accurately graded MS-70 Morgan is a fantasy. The closest anyone has come is a MS-69. This coin has no visible flaws, a perfect strike and no contact marks. A minor mark will reduce it to a 68 or 67 and several will make it a 66. The more contact, the lower the grade. Your coin shows mint luster and a normal amount of contact marks. Most of these coins will be MS-63. With glaring marks in the most obvious places this will drop it further to 62 or 61. There also aren't many accurately graded Morgans in MS-60. These are usually awarded the AU-55/AU-58 grade. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
I won't offer a grade but looks dipped a couple times... Good luck.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I would tend to disagree with those who question the coin's luster; in direct light, a truly lustrous coin demonstrates that dark/light affect in the fields. It's actually the dark areas which clue me in more about luster than the bright ones. A coin lacking luster will have less of this contrast. I agree with the grade put forth, but I don't think there's anything wrong with the luster.
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Valued Member
United States
158 Posts |
Quote:
I would tend to disagree with those who question the coin's luster; in direct light, a truly lustrous coin demonstrates that dark/light affect in the fields.
Thanks for the insight, SuperDave. I took a couple more photos of the coin after liberating from the holder, and the difference is rather stark. Granted, I don't have my copy stand or my LED lighting yet, so must make do with diffused overhead lighting for now. Discussion ?
Here's another look :
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
Your PHOTO's are much better, now.... Gene |
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Valued Member
344 Posts |
Really strong strike but there is a lot of chatter on the obverse and the reverse also has a small chattery spot on the east side.
MS61, possibly MS62 is they are being generous.
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Valued Member
United States
158 Posts |
Quote:
Your PHOTO's are much better, now....Gene
He he he.....thanks, Gene. One diffused flash from overhead through frosted acrylic, F8 for 0.10 second at 100 ISO. Canon DSLR on tripod with Tamron 90mm macro lens did the trick. A little post-processing in PhotoShop (cropping and sharpening) and VIOLA - mint luster reveals itself.
I really need to clean my sensor, though.....those pesky dust spots are annoying the you-know-what outta me.
Okay, so the photos are much better.......whaddaya think of the coin itself ?
Edited by CitizenPatriot
12/08/2011 08:42 am
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Far better detail but now it looks dipped.  |
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Replies: 21 / Views: 2,495 |
Posted 12/07/2011 11:47 am
