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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,278 |
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Valued Member
United States
60 Posts |
Hi Folks! This is my first Morgan, can anyone help me out with a stab at the grade? Any starting tips for how to grade morgans? Thanks!   Edited by T_F_F
12/21/2021 6:29 pm
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1048 Posts |
This is the right date date to start with. There are great numbers of high-grade, well struck 1881-S Morgans out there. If you snag a bad one, you won't have lost much, but you can find raw BU coins of this date that will ultimately grade out very well.
At first blush the surfaces look good here, though the light isn't quite right, and I would want another focus to assess whether that snow/frost effect is genuine. Unusually few contact marks. I would start out bidding at MS65.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I'm worried this might be a slider. I'll say AU-58.  to the CCF! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Looks to have been dipped a couple times. I'd guess MS63 shot 64 because of the diminished luster.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
I think the photos/lighting are hiding some of that luster. From these MS64, with better pics, wouldn't doubt MS65
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1694 Posts |
color looks off maybe just the pic
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1298 Posts |
Need better photos for me to grade.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6599 Posts |
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Valued Member
 United States
60 Posts |
If it is dipped, does that make too much of a difference in value / appearance? It seems that a lot of morgans have been dipped in the past
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
I'm guessing the lack of original mint lustre is a result of the imaging. I see pull away toning on the obverse off the date and stars that most often only occurs with original surfaces.
MS64 possibly 65.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18687 Posts |
the 81(S) should be sharp and bold. the obv is a tad weak but acceptable for the year. the reverse is below average. look at the hair above the ear for a quick indicator of strike and the eagle breast on the reverse which the feathers in this case are not fully defined. other components for grading these are luster, yours looks like its missing luster on both sides. next up surface preservation. not bad for your coin. the cheek seems fairly clean without scratches, abrasions or other distracting marks. its difficult to tell with these photos but there may be some abrasions on the jaw. the reverse has some scuffs in the fields. my concern with your coin is the possible circulation wear which may be on the wings and eagle neck feathers. AU58 or MS63. if its MS then the surface preservation will hold it to 63. I'm with coinfrog on this one that its a slider at AU58
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Quote:
If it is dipped, does that make too much of a difference in value / appearance? It seems that a lot of Morgans have been dipped in the past In this case the dipping could cost it a point or two imo. I think this piece would easily grade MS65 with original untouched surfaces unless it had some ugly spotting or toning that hurt the eye appeal (and was dipped off). And yes, many Morgans have been dipped both in the past and in the present. |
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Valued Member
United States
60 Posts |
Thanks for all the replies! Since these are just the seller's photos, I'll have to wait and see what it actually looks like irl. Given what y'all can see right now, did I get ripped off or pay a fair price? I paid $44.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
A nice coin that has been over dipped. I'd put it at MS-62 due to diminished luster but could be the photos. $44 seems like a fair price. Morgans are red hot right now and tough to find at reasonable prices in any BU grade.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,278 |
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Posted 12/21/2021 6:37 pm
