1897 Morgan Dollar $

I'll say MS-63.

Nice coin. Many of the 1897 Morgans have a dull gun metal gray appearance, but yours has a much better appearance. I'm at MS-63, with one slight hesitation because of the scuff in the field next to the third right star.

You should check your coin for VAM attribution. The obverse photo is blurry, but I see things on the obverse and reverse that could suggest VAM-8, which is a Hot 50 Morgan VAM.

nice in-hand photos Festus. lighting and focus are very good for grading.

I'm still at MS63 however if does appear that the original surfaces have been removed noted by the dullness of the fields on both sides. there is a chance she has had a dip. the question then becomes is it over dipped where it would detail the coin or is it light enough to pass. there is a fine line where that occurs. I think the angle, lighting and focus of the original photos was done to obscure the surfaces.

the caveat to this whole thing is FC's comment regarding the duller surfaces for this year. I found several that did not exhibit that and a few that did. if the coin was submitted I think it would depend on how well the graders knowledge of specific coins by year as to how they would see it.

MS-63.