1880 S Morgan

I suspect the discoloration would keep it out of a slab. Strict grade - EF because one would expect a really excellent strike on this date/mint.

San Francisco-minted Morgans are known for the quality of their strikes, especially in the early years. The folks in San Francisco just seemed to care more about the quality of their work than the other mints. Here's a nicely-struck 1880-s:




Images shamelessly stolen from Heritage: http://coins.heritageauctions.com/default.php

The features seen here can be compared to comments I made about your other S-mint Morgans. Now, to make matters worse, the grading rules I'm using here basically don't apply to any other mint's issue except a few better-than-average Philadelphia years.

Grading Morgans is complex and situational. I do not claim to have any more than the vaguest handle on it.

quote:

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Originally posted by Ralph

Okay - I can see the huge difference between the photo you posted, and the scan I posted.
Questions bring answers, and answers are learning tools.

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...and the things I have to do to post answers to these questions, and the opinions posted by others who may disagree with me, are learning tools also. We all learn by this process, which is the beauty of it.

This is a good example of the problems with scans, especially on a Mint State or very lightly circulated Morgan (or any coin) where luster plays a significant role in a coin's grade. The discoloration is hard to differentiate without the context of the luster. I don't think the discoloration or, more correctly, the toning (if that's what it is) would cause this Morgan to be downgraded, but I wouldn't want to bet the farm on it. Like the other San Francisco Morgans, 1880S's were typically and mostly very well struck. This Morgan strikes me as having seen light circulation with just enough wear on Liberty's hair above her ear and forehead to tell me it is, in fact circulated. Further, the Eagle's breast feathers appear to be somewhat worn. Also, there's a couple marks on the Eagle's breast and on the rims on both sides which appear to be circulation marks rather than bag marks. Backed into a corner, I'd guess AU-53 to AU-55; I don't believe it would go to AU-58 (a slider).

Fred

Now to read the other responses...

As a matter of fact MorganFred, I have all of the S Morgans except the 1893 and the 1895, but the majority of them don't look as good as those I've posted - I estimate them to range somewhere between AG to VF.
Truth be told, I have a total of 80 Morgan dollars, with the only variety coins being the 8TF and 7 over 8TF. Fell in love with the Morgan dollars shortly after I began collecting coins back in March of 2005, and that feeling hasn't diminished - doubt that it ever will.
In addition to the 2 S Morgans I'm missing, I'm missing the 1893-1895-1903 O mint mark Morgans, the 1893-1894-1895-1899 P mint mark Morgans, and I still need 9 of the CC Morgans......Someday.

Okay Bryan - I'm giong to do that so you can take a gander at them - seperate threads, of course. I would point out, though, that, under magnification, I can't see anything extraordinary about them that would stir major interest.
I can fully understand about your Morgans being expensive. I've paid out a good bit for the ones I have, and few will even come close to the MS grade.
Watch for my posts on my 78's.