Would like to know your thoughts and opinions on the grade of this 1880-S Morgan dollar. I had a very tough time getting pics of this one. So apologies in advance if the photos just arent good enough to grade. Thanks!
Beautiful coin! I'd say MS64, 65 if the spot on Liberty's cheek isn't as noticeable. Very likely PL if not DMPL. 1880S is an issue commonly found in very nice condition.
"Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
The videos have me perplexed, wondering why I'm not seeing any cartwheel luster in the fields....I might have to dig out some of my PL and DMPL Morgans this weekend.... Just a question to the collectors out there who have been at it longer than me.
This is a wonderful looking coin, but could it have been over-dipped or something?
PL and DMPL coins generally don't have much in the way of cartwheel luster. Instead you have heavily mirrored fields. This coin is almost certainly PL or DMPL given the mirrors evident in the video. They are so deep, in fact, I'd say DMPL is more likely than just PL. As for condition I think MS-65. Just one small hit on the cheek.
Thanks all for the comments. I picked this up thinking it had an upside shot at a PL or DMPL grade.
As for the luster, there is a slight cartwheel, but it is difficult to see because of the mirroring. As contagious noted, there is a faint touch of haze that might limit this coin. But overall I'm very happy with it.
the obv vid is shadowing the key area of the cheek making it difficult to tell if the luster is full across it. it appears broken.
if the obv luster is broke across the cheek MS64 DMPL. I'm at MS65 DMPL if the luster is there and not broke with a shot at 66. the reverse in any case looks 66
Using just the video images and the photos (which do not show the cheek clearly), I would say this coin would grade MS65+ DMPL.
The best way to tell which type of Morgan dollar you have is to test how far away an object has to be from the surface of your Morgan dollar before its reflection is no longer seen in the coin's fields.
The farther away the object is before it disappears from the coin's surface reflection, the higher the reflectivity — thus the "better" the Morgan dollar:
Semi-prooflike (SPL) Morgan dollars reflect objects held 1 to 2 inches from the surface. Prooflike (PL) Morgan dollars have 2 to 4 inches of reflectivity. Deep mirror prooflike (DMPL) Morgan dollars show reflection of objects from at least 4 inches away, but preferably 5+ inches distant. Ultra prooflike (UPL) is a term some use to describe Morgan dollars with exceptionally reflective surfaces that reflect the appearance of objects held at least 8 inches from the surface — and in some cases 12 inches away or farther!
Thanks again all. These replies have been very educational. I see what folks mean that part of the cheek was shadowed in the original video. I think this one might show it a bit better. You can also see the depth of mirroring, including my ear on the right side of the obverse field.
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Posted 05/24/2025 4:36 pm
