Help me Grade this Morgan 1901-S

Shane6596

Ive been looking at morgan pics online and using the ANA morgan grading guide. Im completely new at this, so i may be way off. Plus i had a few adult beverages tonight.

I dont own this coin, im not buying this coin. I just want to see if im close to what you guys would grade it.

F-15 is what i see based on the guide descriptions and pics they showed.

FlyingAl

I'd call it VF Details Cleaned.

Rollerman

VF30 details - cleaned

TPRC

Agree with vf details, cleaned. unfortunately, the reverse cleaning, especially between the mm and the tail feathers, will prevent it from getting a straight grade. Tougher date though.

Shane6596

These are the ANA pics i used as reference. Which led me to think the back was in the Fine category, the front maybe high Fine to VF. The breast feathers of eagle look gone, the talons worn, the wreath looks similar to the fine pic. I dont know, stuffs getting a little blurry. Been looking at pics for hours.

anablep

Fine, old cleaning, retoned.

ricko

Definitely an old... and nasty... cleaning.... grade looks like fine.... Cheers, RickO

291fifth

My grade: A coin to be avoided. VF obverse/F reverse, harshly cleaned.

BillJones

VF-30 sharpness, hairlines evident from cleaning.

coastaljerseyguy

Before it was harshly cleaned was probably an XF40.

Shane6596

Thanks for the replies. Im starting to see the cleaning everyone is talking about. The reverse really shows it, like someone shined up the whole eagle, wreath area.

I appreciate the help. Lots of knowledge on this site.

Joe_360

Fine, many flat spots (IMO) The Eagle's chest is eroded, rim dings.

MrBluster

VF detail cleaned

Cougar1978

VF

124Spider

By details, perhaps VF35 (35-40 obverse; 25-30 reverse). But the color looks off to me, so maybe cleaned.

DennisH

VF25 cleaned

logger7

Cleaned, especially the reverse. Before the big run up on some dates, many of the better dates were not worth all that much. I remember 20 years ago the 1878-cc Morgan was worth a lot less than today.

streeter

There are so many unc Morgans out there that for the casual collector if you get a range in pricing then MS63-5 might be better for most. Unless if original grey is your thing.
You will run out of money before the world runs out of Morgans.

may

@Shane6596 said:
These are the ANA pics i used as reference. Which led me to think the back was in the Fine category, the front maybe high Fine to VF. The breast feathers of eagle look gone, the talons worn, the wreath looks similar to the fine pic. I dont know, stuffs getting a little blurry. Been looking at pics for hours.

ANA isn’t the best for accuracy, you should use PCGS photo grade as I find it more accurate.

DelawareDoons

A lot of these come struck softly and this looks like no exception, so it might actually be xf det cleaned, but I think VF det cleaned is a far more likely grade.

lilolme

Another source of grading photos can come from auction searches but also the pcgs coinfacts images. You can get to coinfacts from that link or the price guide or pop report. For the last two select the blue pcgs number on the far left.

At the applicable coinfacts page select the 'view more images' below the 'plate' coin. To see more circulated coins one will need to select dates that have a notable premium when circulated. An 1881 S will have a lot of Unc photos but limited circ. So here are the 1889 CC and 1893 S and there are a few to several graded examples for each grade. Also included the OP 1901 S but it has much less. Also can get a feel for the range of 'the look'.

PS - depending on internet speed it could take a minute or so for all the images to load.

https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1889-cc-1/images/7190

https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1893-s-1/images/7226

https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1901-s-1/images/7276

Shane6596

Thanks for all the links and references from everyone. Ill check it all out.

No Headlights

A great coin to learn from (and NOT own).
Best wishes as you learn what to look for.