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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,318 |
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Valued Member
United States
128 Posts |
Hello, all. Earlier this year my grandmother "prematurely willed" (she's handing out belongings before her supposed demise) a 1921 Morgan to me. She's always kept "lucky" coins in her purse or her bedroom chest, and this was one of them. It isn't in great condition, but it's now in an air-tite that stays in my watch pocket in my jeans. I thought it would be nice to replace her coin with a new one with perhaps some more luck.  I was at a local coin shop yesterday and apparently someone had come in and sold them a load of 21 Morgans and 22-23 Peace dollars. I spent a while searching through them and found this one. A grade would be appreciated, but mainly I just had a few questions. I understand that a lot of these coins weren't circulated which can explain their condition 90 years later. But, that being said I try to be cautious when it comes to coins that could have been cleaned. When it comes to an older silver coin I first look to check the luster. This one seemed to have a full wheel. Also, I looked to see if there was any build up around the devices. I couldn't detect any. I also looked to see if I could detect any striations in a particular direction or a concentric pattern. I see some "bag marks" or dings, but nothing out of the ordinary (I think). Was I correct? Is there anything else I can look at to help, or is it mainly just going to take some experience? I ended up paying $27.00 for this, so even if it's cleaned not a big deal seeing as I'm sure she'll like it. Sorry for the wall of text. I'm just a beginner and the community here seems to have all of the answers. I appreciate you guys taking the time to show newbies the ropes. Sorry for the pics, my photo set up is going to be a Winter project.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5854 Posts |
For $27, you got a good deal! It does not looked cleaned to me. I think this would grade MS-62.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1547 Posts |
Hi. It looks like a mint state coin to me. In spite of the deep gashes and heavy luster-grazes, it's a very lustrous coin, and I'd think that'd cinch it at MS-63.
On your cleaned issue, you're doing the right thing, checking for luster. Cleaning gets a bad rap because of what it does to the delicate mint flow lines which impart that luster, and that damage is irreversible.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Looks like an MS62 from here. Your observations about cleaning are good ones. Hairlines are usually easy to spot too. A light acid dip is cleaning also, but when done correctly it does not hurt the value of a silver coin and is hard to detect.
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
MS-63; I'm guessing those heavier hairlines look less serious in hand.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
A bit too baggy for me to give it an MS-63. Slam dunk for MS-62, however. Might get 63 with a nice grader.
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Valued Member
United States
132 Posts |
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
Looks like MS61 to me. As far as more lucky, forget it. The one your Grandmother gave you is your lucky coin. Do not replace it....
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Valued Member
 United States
128 Posts |
Thanks for the responses! It does look better in hand. I'm finding photographing silver definitely seems to magnify a coin's problems. Looks like I did ok. :P
@dave700x - Of course I'm not replacing the coin she gave me! I got this one to give to her as an exchange. The one she gave me is a permanent part of my collection.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2936 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
299 Posts |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,318 |
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Posted 10/05/2011 10:53 pm
