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 Replies: 17 / Views: 7,943 |
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Valued Member
United States
462 Posts |
Just received this nice O/S coin today. Where do you think it would grade?    Thanks for your input! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
Your pictures don't really show the detail, such as hairlines/scratches too well. I'd guess at least a 64, but the pix make it look like a 65.
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
Typical weak strike. Looks 64ish.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Valued Member
 United States
462 Posts |
Here are some additional pictures which show the hairlines and other marks. I played with some lighting and shutter speed but hopefully this will be good enough. I believe this is a recessed O/S and am I correct in thinking it's a strong O/S?    Thanks again! Edited by KisNap
06/30/2010 10:00 pm
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Very nice O/S, based on the scratches on both side of the coin. I'm going to say MS-63.
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Valued Member
United States
102 Posts |
I agree, though my opinion is ill-informed and therefore meaningless.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
I like this coin, with the scratches in the face, I'm going with MS62,
for MS63
I would expect less major scratches....the REV is a great MS64/65
but unfortunately the reverse is about 5% of the grading....I don't find it fair either....
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
forgot to say VAM 3 flush...... |
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Valued Member
United States
462 Posts |
Here's a pic the seller took which shows the O/S better. Based on their picture I thought it might've been a recessed O/S because it looks like I can still see the inside edges of the O where the line connects.  |
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Valued Member
United States
314 Posts |
First, I would offer that it is a strong O/S, but I didn't look at my VAM book first. AS to grade, I agree with 63 although it is somewhat difficult to spot any areas of potential wear from the pics. Very nice coin - I get a kick out of the overmintmarks. Dcreek1968 |
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Valued Member
United States
462 Posts |
So then it sound like I got a good deal getting this for $200, right?
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Valued Member
United States
314 Posts |
KisNap - you may have found a real deal in the purest sense of the word. Fey and Oxman's book (The Top 100 Morgan dollar Varieties: The VAM Keys) lists two varieties for the 1882 O/S. One is a an O/S "Flush" mint mark while with a "strong" diagonal crossbar found within the O while the other is a "Recessed" mint mark with not so strong of a diagonal crossbar. Doesn't really matter because in their book, both are either a rarity 7 or 6 depending in the grade of MS63 or 64. Your pics seem to me to indicate a "Flush" diagonal bar. Their book (printed in 1997 - the one I have) prices this coin at about $925 in MS63. Checked the CDN (Coin Dealer Newsletter) which lists this variety and places a "bid" value of $190 in MS60 and $700 in MS63. I would say you "cherrypicked" a GREAT value and coin. It would certainly be worth grading if the majority of opinions come back similar to mine as potentially easy a 63. Congratulations. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
With all due respect, I have serious doubts as to the originality of the surfaces. There's far too much shine on the higher points of the devices, and I see the characteristic haziness in the tighter areas (especially around the wreath) which makes me think the coin's been polished. The details are not sharp; especially based on the seller-provided mint mark detail, I'm inclined to think the coin has seen circulation. I hate to rain on the parade, and I'm quite prepared to change my mind (especially regarding grade) through photos shot in different lighting, but what I see is what I see. It's a LDS VAM-3; the crossbar is a bit higher with this VAM than the other two. The die progression saw the crossbar become increasingly heavier as the die wore - it's easy to imagine a state where the bar was full but not yet flush. It's currently considered R3/4. An AU58 EDS coin went for $180 earlier this year. Although Mint State examples of these are rare in any die state, AU VAM-3's aren't uncommon. I would have to disagree that $200 was a reasonable price for this coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6389 Posts |
I tend to agree with SuperDave in that at least the first set of photos show an unnatural, chrome-like finish. I've seen enough polished AU Morgans to make me suspect this is one of them. Hope I'm wrong, but if I had purchased it and determined it had been polished or otherwise altered I'd be looking to get my money back.
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Valued Member
United States
462 Posts |
I'll try to take some pictures in some different light, but are there any suggestions? The first set is natural light and the second set is a regular light bulb. There's obviously a big difference price-wise between an AU and MS O/S so I would like to provide pictures that enable you to make a more accurate grade. I appreciate all the info and while I would love for it to be MS I'm prepared for it to bu AU.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6389 Posts |
Kisnap, I'd use a single halogen desk lamp (an incandescent bulb should be OK also) and experiment with different distances and angles. The photos that look most like the actual coin held in your hand will be the ones to post.
Pricewise, if the coin is AU I'd say you overpaid but if you really like the coin that's the deciding factor. If it's AU and polished you ought to seek a refund since you should be able to do much better for $200.
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Replies: 17 / Views: 7,943 |
Posted 06/30/2010 9:47 pm
