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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,296 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
I was fortunate enough today to get to cherrypick some raw Morgans just purchased by a coin shop. About 50 examples, in three tubes, one marked "UNC" and the other two "AU". This sorting was somewhat haphazard. I found a lot of obvious sliders in the "UNC" tube, even a few that had been cleaned, as well as some that were pretty clearly BU but with a lot of nicks and chatter. In the "AU" tubes, there were some that fell down into the XF range, but on the other hand I found several that in my judgment ought to have been in the "UNC" tube. In any event, I selected five overall with my criterion being relatively unmarred cheeks. I think I did alright here. This came out of one of the "AU" tubes, and looking at the slight abrasion to the hair above the ear and the tip of Liberty's Phrygian cap, that's probably about right. However, what's not evident from these photos is that it's prooflike. While the fields are "milky" and show little contrast with the devices, those characteristics have been documented by Wayne Miller for some prooflike specimens that came out of Philadelphia in this year. The requisite refelctivity of is definitely present even if the general appearance is atypical. In fact, I have another 1896 just like this one, albeit that one is indisputably in mint state.   Colligo ergo sum
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Valued Member
167 Posts |
Looks UNC to me but I can't put a number on it without better pics. Try some straight on shots please.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
506 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4883 Posts |
As I said above, I chose mostly on the basis of minimal marks to Liberty's face, which to my mind makes for the most presentable examples, provided the marks aren't there because the coin significantly circulated or was polished. Here's a closeup shot to help you judge if I succeeded. I've also included the area above the ear where I think the slight abrasion I referred to is more obvious, and which I feel drops this specimen down into the AU range. There's also enough very light marks in the fields (albeit almost impossible to clearly photograph) to support this evaluation. Still a lovely coin even if I wouldn't expect it to receive an MS grade.  Colligo ergo sum
Edited by Lucky Cuss
11/18/2014 5:54 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8137 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
AU55 not enough luster to go much higher IMO.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Pillar of the Community
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,296 |
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Posted 11/17/2014 11:03 pm
