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 Replies: 22 / Views: 4,000 |
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New Member
United States
27 Posts |
I just recently acquired, rather unexpectedly, ~25 Morgans from a Great Aunt's collection. All varying in grade from "good" to probably in the AU range. I only have photographed 2 thus far and would like opinions on grading as a baseline to help me evaluated the other ~20 or so Morgans in the book. I'm a novice and pretty overwhelmed by this task -- as beautiful as these coins are, I'm really not interested at this point in adding to the collection so I will be piecing them off here and there as I have time. I also have recently photographed and posted 3 other coins if you have any interest in checking them out! 1880-p $5 liberty gold coin: https://goccf.com/t/2368211986 gold eagle 1/4 oz.: https://goccf.com/t/2367991900 British Sovereign (London Mint): https://goccf.com/t/2367411 is the 1884 CC morgan, which the base value seems to surpass most of the others in my collection. Not sure given the grading / toning of others, but we'll see. The 1886 Morgan ( no mint mark) doesn't seem to be rare on its own, however, I was curious if this was a sought after toning (if you can call it that). Any insight / opinions are welcomed and beyond appreciated!     |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4468 Posts |
PCGS on their web site has something called photograde. It shows a picture of the coin in each of the grades. It is very useful to start learning how to grade.
From the photo the I would grade the 1884 CC as MS 61 and the 1886 as AU 58 because of possible wear above the ear and maybe on the breast feathers and the reverse fields are showing some possible circulation rub.
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
Best guess based on the photos posted would be MS61 tops for the '84-CC and MS60 tops for the '86-P. Welcome to the forum.  |
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New Member
 United States
27 Posts |
@slider - thanks for the tip about the pcgs site, I'll have to try to grade some on my own.
@dave - thanks for another opinion!
The reason I posted the 1886 was more of a question about the toning -- is this sought after or does this particular case add no additional value to whatever grade the coin may be.
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
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New Member
United States
27 Posts |
Wow...those are BEAUTIFUL! Makes mine look like trash hah
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
You and me both.  |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I don't believe the toning on either coin is "original." The 1884 shows areas (especially on the reverse) where very dark toning ends on an abrupt border, a sign that the coin has been dipped but not sufficiently to lose all of the old toning. There should be a color progression, not a sharp border. The spotty nature of the 1886 is clear indication that the coin's surfaces are toning after the surfaces were stripped.
Both coins have been cleaned, and will take a serious hit at retail as a result.
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New Member
United States
27 Posts |
I have another Morgan I'd like to post up. I checked out a couple of sites and would like to see if I'm in the ballpark of the correct grade. I think it's somewhere between F12 and VF20 -- anyone agree or disagree? And value-wise, maybe $90ish? edit: seems the first image came out a little blurry, I may have to retake that one. 1891 CC:   Edited by piedpiper90
08/07/2015 08:09 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
I agree with f12 however the obverse rim dings could details it if it's dings I'm seeing. Now the good news, it appears to be a somewhat common but HIGHLY collected spitting eagle VAM 3 (not 7 unfortunately) which even in this condition may add a small premium to it over grade value. See how it looks like the eagle is "spitting" by way of a die chip just below and to the left of the eagles beak (I say may because the spitters are common in high grade but still desierable) Edited by Cascade
08/07/2015 09:09 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Heres an ngc vf25 that sold for $180 so I would think you have a shot at pulling around $125 if thats not damage on the obv rim. If it is I'd say more around the $100 mark 131549554148 |
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Valued Member
Canada
137 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
The VAM-3 Spitting Eagle is an example of a VAM whose value is 100% demand-related. NGC has 3000 slabbed and ANACS another 1500, and they're common below MS64. It's the most common 1891-CC variety. There's a Far Date version, VAM-7, which is somewhat less common but it's not possible to determine date location from these images. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
Dave, on my phone I zoomed in on the date and would stake a monster on VAM 3 |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
And I see a Far Date here, aside the fact that no denticles are visible.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
I guess we'll have to wait for a clearer date
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Replies: 22 / Views: 4,000 |
Posted 08/02/2015 3:24 pm
