Posted 01/15/2010 11:56 pm
These photos are large and clearly detailed, allowing a fairly accurate opinion of the strict technical merits of the coin. However, they are far too brightly-lit to allow any clear idea whether or not the coin has been cleaned, indeed bright enough to mask marks in the fields. Is the slab from a reputable grader? If so, we can express a lot more certainty in our opinions. It certainly looks like a superior coin. There are no obvious marks anywhere, and a grade of MS66 is not out of the question. However, the lighting is so bright that what I see as breaks in mint frost on the eagle's breast could also be evidence of slight circulation, with no real way of telling which is which.
This is perhaps the single most common Morgan in higher grades. PCGS and NGC have slabbed almost 25,000 MS66's between them. Its' worth in that grade is only slightly over $200. Unless this one is in a reputable slab (PCGS, NGC, ANACS or ICG), or has an ironclad return policy, I would not risk my money based on these photographs and even then only because I'm confident in my ability to make a judgment with the coin in-hand.
This is perhaps the single most common Morgan in higher grades. PCGS and NGC have slabbed almost 25,000 MS66's between them. Its' worth in that grade is only slightly over $200. Unless this one is in a reputable slab (PCGS, NGC, ANACS or ICG), or has an ironclad return policy, I would not risk my money based on these photographs and even then only because I'm confident in my ability to make a judgment with the coin in-hand.
