1885 Morgan

Hi Ralph--

Sorry I've been absent for a few days from Morgan grading. My workload is getting a little heavy.

She has a lot of crisscross circulation marks on the obverse, yet seems relatively clear on the reverse and if not Mint State on the reverse, then AU. Peculiar this dichotomy from one side to the other. Even in the scan, I can see the luster on both sides, but I don't think that will enhance the grade with this Morgan. The 85(P) is noted for its usually above average strike, so any loss of detail on the obverse would put her into the circulated grades. Since the top TPGs grade mostly on the attributes of the obverse with the reverse playing a disproportionately smaller role in a Morgan's overall grade, I'm gonna hedge here an guess EF-40 to -45; it might even be dropped down to VF-35 at PCGS. I know that scans exaggerate marks, but I think Liberty has too many on her face to allow her AU status; a low AU for the 85 would show more hair detail.

If coins could only talk. This one has a history. Liberty looks like she got slapped around a bit, but never spanked.

Thanks guys. I was leaning more toward the EF than the AU. I'm listing it on my sheet as EF-40.
Fred, I know what you mean about the workload getting a little heavy. Christmas isn't all that far off, and my other hobby is going to keep me pretty busy from now until then since all my leather work is made to order, and completely handcrafted - every year about this time, I get busier'n a cat in a sandbox. Don't mind though - helps keep the wolf from the door.