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 Replies: 11 / Views: 3,078 |
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
This is my first Morgan dollar I picked up for $22. How do you know if it is a fake? Also, how do I open up this type of coin case to get the coin out? I have heard these airtight cases can damage the coins? What other option is better for storing my coins? Here are photo links   Thanks! |
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
Your Morgan looks legit. It appears to be in the AU range and looks to have had a possible cleaning. Airtites are actually a good way to house coins however, they can be hard to open. Be very careful and use a razor blade to pry it open, then it should open after that. 1890 is a common date and for $22, you did okay. Fake Morgans will show a cast appearance such as casting bubbles, devices won't be correct, and the weight will be incorrect for a genuine Morgan dollar.  to the CCF. swcoin.ecrater.com
Edited by vermontensium
08/31/2010 12:13 am
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New Member
 United States
3 Posts |
How can you tell if a coin has been cleaned or not? Not sure if the person ever cleaned it, they were not a coin collector, was passed down from a grandmother to her daughter in the 50's.
If the airtights are safe then I see no need to open it. I have been trying to find any info on coins and coin collecting and I have seen mixed reviews of the airtights. I think they were mainly saying the older cases contained the pvc that damaged coins?
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
The Airtites are PVC free. The line of Intercept Shield holders are also very good. If a coin has been cleaned, it will show many tiny hairline scratches under magnification. Get a 10X loupe if you don't have one already. Also, if a coin is in the Mint State or About Uncirculated level of preservation, the original mint luster will be disrupted and impaired, so the cartwheel you see when you examine a coin under light, will be dull and washed out. On lower grade coins, cleaning will usually result in a slight shiny look. Sometimes, it's hard to tell as coins over time will retone and hide the cleaning. With experience, you'll be able to spot these too. Based on your photos alone, that is just my opinion. I'd have to have the coin in hand to tell.
The mylar pvc free "flips", usually 2X2's, are a good way to store your collection as well.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
I managed to get the airtight off and put gloves on to handle the coin. I was a geology major (now a geology minor) in college for 2 years so I already had a "loop" or 10x "hand lens" as we call them in geology for looking at minerals in rocks and such. I looked at the coin on obverse and reverse and saw the small nicks and dings in it which I am assuming is from being clashed around in bank bags. I couldn't really see and scratches that were small enough that would look like they would have come from cleaning. On the field of the obverse it looked more "satin" like I guess is how I would describe it. Then the device is there it looked like more of the nicks and dings were.
Learning all this stuff about coins is a blast : )
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Holding the coin by its edge only with bare hands is okay. I love rocks and minerals and have quite a collection. If I have any questions, I know where to come :-)
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4846 Posts |
i agree with vermontensium
definitely cleaned or polished up
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
the devices being shiny and the fields being dull is a definite sign of someone at least wiping the coin to shine it up
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3283 Posts |
 Still a very attractive coin and you should be very pleased with your purchase. |
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New Member
United States
47 Posts |
Good coin to get started with. to the CCF!! |
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Valued Member
United States
450 Posts |
Welcome Sir, good to have you onboard !
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2540 Posts |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 3,078 |
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Posted 08/31/2010 12:16 am
