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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,110 |
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Valued Member
United States
132 Posts |
Hi Everyone, Happy New Year. I have about 15 Morgans in my collection (most of them were given to me about 10 years ago by my Grandpa), and most of them are very circulated, but there is one that I am very torn on. It's this 1878S. I scanned it, so it may not do it justice, it looks a Lot better in person. It is a beautiful eye catching coin, no marks, not worn in any area, all details such as the edges, feathers and hair are perfect. The only thing is that the coin is so dark, almost black. I'm not looking to sell it or anything, but is this something that will lower the value? Can anyone help me figure out, ballpark, what grade this is about? Thanks for your help.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1150 Posts |
I'm thinking it could only be that black if it has come into contact with sulfur or maybe someone dipped it in shoe polish or something. I, personally, would need to see better photos of it to hazard a real guess. I'm sure someone on this forum may have a better answer.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
it is really hard to see the details in those pictures but just judging by what looks like wear I would estimate in the Extra Fine range but this could change with some better pictures to go by
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
A bit tough to tell from the scans I do see significant wear on breast feathers and hair so I would say AU 50.
If the toning is unattractively dark, that can usually be cleared up with a quick dip in EZ Est. Hold by edges, dunk for no more than two seconds, quickly rinse with tap water, final rinse with distiller water, than pat dry never rub with a lint free cloth
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Valued Member
 United States
132 Posts |
I'm not an expert, but I don't think it's shoe polish or anything foreign applied to the coin, I think it's more natural darkening.. I wish I had a camera that will focus in on it, but the camera I have doesn't seem to pick it up.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
A bit tough to tell from the scans I do see significant wear on breast feathers and hair so I would say AU 50.
If the toning is unattractively dark, that can usually be cleared up with a quick dip in EZ Est. Hold by edges, dunk for no more than two seconds, quickly rinse with tap water, final rinse with distiller water, than pat dry never rub with a lint free cloth
With all due respect, NO!On anything other than a Mint State coin, a dip will be immediate and obvious, and destroy the coin's value. In any event, the toning on this coin is far too dark for thiourea (the active ingredient in dip) to handle. It will likely fail to remove it all, unless you leave it in the dip long enough melt all the hair away. |
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Valued Member
United States
132 Posts |
Thanks Bryan and thanks Fenton, actually, the funny thing is that the coin, even though it is darkened is not unattractive, it's very eye catching because of how the darkened background really enhances the details. I mean, I have darkish coins that are very ugly. This one is beautiful. That is why I was torn on if it was a bad thing or not...
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Valued Member
United States
132 Posts |
Thanks SuperDave.. I'm not at the point, experience wise, to experiment with dips and stuff, so don't worry.
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Other than the dark toning, which I like and would leave alone if the coin was mine. The details on this coin look AU-53.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
If the toning looks nice as is, don't dip it! I will dip any Morgan AU+ with really ugly toning. TPG's don't seem to care they slab those coins as problem free 95%+ of the time. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,110 |
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Posted 12/31/2010 4:38 pm
