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 Replies: 7 / Views: 3,444 |
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Valued Member
United States
112 Posts |
Or do they? What about value? I bought this as AU-BU, but it has a scratch across the face. It's hard to see the luster, but it definately "cartwheels" (is that the right term?). I know an 1881S isn't particulary valuable, but I'm more curious about how the scratch affects the grade. Thanks! Rick   Edited by Bottleguy
06/09/2007 12:25 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
There is the possibility that a TPG wouldn't give this coin a grade, because of the severity of the scratch. Excepting ANACS, the reputable TPG's would "bodybag" the coin with a "damaged" moniker. That aside, the scratch is large and in a prominent location, and thus would likely cost the coin at least a full point of grade, maybe two. Me, I'd call it MS63 before the scratch, and MS61 after. Too bad - the reverse is beautiful, in keeping with an MS65 coin. |
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Valued Member
 United States
112 Posts |
Thanks Dave!  More questions..... What about "Bag Marks"? Do they detract as much as scratches?   And, some "Rub"?   Why do most blemishes always occur on the obverse, right on the face?!!?   Sorry for all the questions, I'm new and trying to learn.  Thanks!! Rick |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3233 Posts |
Scratches typically kill the coin for me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
I think your 1885 looks the best. The first two have scratches that are deep, I think that only ANACS would grade it and they probably would mention that it's scratched.
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
This is one of the few Morgans that I have and it has a very ugly cuts that dropped the price down to almost melt value.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
974 Posts |
I guess if you are looking for an investment go with the nicest one you can find, the better the coin the fewer questions! I was in Clearwater, FL about two months ago and this shop had a really nice AU details Bust Quarter with a really nasty grand canyon sized scratch...well it wasn't that big, it was really noticiable, on the left side of the obverse. They had it discounted to about XF pricing but I couldn't bring myself to buy something that I know is going to haunt me in my dreams or having me or someone else saying "Man, that coin is awesome except for that gash". Stay with what you know...needing a filler, get the inferior coin...for an investment, get as pristine as possible/affordable. :)
PS. The same thing goes for Rim Dings!
Edited by Nelrak
06/10/2007 01:14 am
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Bottleguy, bagmarks tend to receive more lenient treatment by TPG's than do scratches, as they are caused during the normal process of mint handling. Although they will limit the grade, of course, a bagmarked coin will slab when a scratched one might not. "Rub" is a tougher and more subjective thing. Like toning, rub is situational - did the coin move around in a cabinet drawer, or is it worn from circulation? A TPG will likely choose in favor of circulation over rub, by way of covering themselves. The 1885 you present looks more like a weaker-strike Mint State coin than a circulated or "rubbed" one - the uniform flatness across the ear and adjacent hair is indicative of a weaker strike. If it were circulation wear, I'd expect to see less detail in the forehead hair and cotton bolls. The apparent scratches near the chin worry me, though - could that be the result of someone cleaning the coin, or is it an accidental contact? Let me emphasize, also - evaluating a coin from a single set of photos is a slippery slope, and if I had that coin in-hand, my opinion might be entirely different. |
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Replies: 7 / Views: 3,444 |
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Posted 06/09/2007 1:10 pm
