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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,665 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
I got this 1897-S a while back at show for $18 thought it had some decent details, however its a mirage of colors, and I haven't a clue how toning is taken into grading evaluations, any ideas? I'm going to guess..MS62/3?   |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
There is signs of wear on the hair, and cap on the obverse. On the reverse there is wear on the left wing. I would grade this coin at AU-50.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
I have to disagree with the AU grade.
there is far to much wear on the cap cotton bols and hair on the obverse, the eagles breast and neck head and feet arrows and the branches on the reverse.
EF-40 at best.
the toning can affect the grade in the higher MS grades but it can also add significant value as colorful NT toned coins are sought after by many collectors.
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
I agree with XF40. I see wear on the cap,cballs,hair and reverse feathers. Nice toning.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3076 Posts |
just a few pics   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Is this the same coin? if it is why just the reverse?
the wear is evident on the coin in these pictures also.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
I'm going to have to agree with XF-40 also.
To much wear for an AU grade.
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Valued Member
United States
461 Posts |
I have to believe that the second set of pictures of just the reverse of a different coin, maybe you mixed them up when you were taking pictures. The second set of photographs has significantly less ware, especially on the breast feathers and is a completely different tone, i.e. silver.
As far as the first coin, I am at a straight EF 30. It appears to me that there is some type of salt or solvent corrosion on the coin especially on the obverse along with the ware that other members have mentioned. But, that's just my opinion for what it's worth.
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
Is this coin typically a weak strike? There appears to be detail lacking on the eagle's breast feathers, but with little or no wear on the wing tips doesn't this hint at a high grade coin?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
actually I was wondering, with all the discoloration, how can these coins be graded, when I bought this, for the extreme $18 dollar investment.. how much detail is on the coin, on the reverse as Shadow points out, the feathers are very crisp, and despite the chest feathers color, they are very pronounced and detailed, from my readings at photo grade there would be noticeable wear not much for definition, in hand you can count them....Talons are very clean..now I would remind you I'm not trying to make this an MS65 coin,,,,,,just trying to understand what makes or breaks a grade.....What I learned years ago an EXC40 would well be VF20 now,for all I know.. the obverse face is very clean the only ding I can see in hand is a small mark between the no 1 and 2 left star....I have enjoyed all your comments and they have been very helpful, thanks.....Gene
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Rest in Peace
United States
4849 Posts |
I think this coin is much closer to MS than it is to XF. Thought it is hard to make out luster, the fields look original and free of wear to me and I'm willing to bet that it cartwheels nicely under light. Maybe a little wear on the devices, so I'd guess AU-55 to 58 minimum, but I've seen morgans with this type of look in MS slabs. The variations in color on the tips of the devices don't always indicate wear. MS-62 is not out of the question imho. Quote:
I have to believe that the second set of pictures of just the reverse of a different coin, maybe you mixed them up when you were taking pictures. The second set of photographs has significantly less ware, especially on the breast feathers and is a completely different tone, i.e. silver. I disagree, the toning pattern on both sets of pictures are identical. Look around the branch, above the wing, by the arrows. It was obviously taken under different lighting, but it's the same coin. Edited by johnny54321
02/05/2010 12:34 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
This coin is easily in the AU range. The breast feather detail is almost complete, as shown in all the photos that include this area. The major grading services will call coins with worn breast feathers AU-50 so I'd say an AU-53 grade would be conservative on this coin. I think AU-55 would be more in line with how PCGS, ANACS, and NGC grade Morgan dollars. The odd swirls in the obverse field might however be considered a defect, bringing the numeric grade down somewhat. |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,665 |
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Posted 01/30/2010 5:58 pm
