Morgan Dollars... MS64DMPL and a clean cheek...

lkenefic

Are the two mutually exclusive? I've been looking at these for a long time and most (all?) seem to have some issue with Lady Liberty's cheek. Since this is the primary focal point on the obverse, having a big mark on the cheek is sort of a stopper for me... What has been your experience?

dsessom

I have noticed the same thing, not just with PL/DMPL but across the board. I would much prefer a clean cheek, and a few dings in the fields as opposed to clean fields and a mark on the cheek. Reverses are generally cleaner and tend to look much better than the obverse. It's nearly impossible to find a Morgan without some dings, due to most of them being in Mint bags for a long time, and the reeded rims nick the crap out of other coins that they contact.

MarkInDavis

Flaws really show up on a DMPL both in the fields and on the devices - mirrored surfaces and all. I am not surprised it is tough to find a 64 with a clean cheek. It’s a relatively large surface and if the cheek is clean it is likely to grade higher than 64. Even on nonDMPL MS64 Morgans it is hard to find a clean cheek, and there are many more of those to choose from.

1Bufffan

The Dollars were such a heavy issued coin and with production and storage issues ie(canvas bags full, lugged and stored) they had a lot of contact with each other, as you have mentioned. The reeded edge almost acted like a saw blade when it came in contact with other coins. coins in the grade you are looking for are far and few, but keep up the search and I'm sure you will find what you are seeking.

alefzero

I had an 1892-O 64DMPL many years ago that had a clean cheek (and a full central strike too!). They are tough to locate.

[Deleted User]

It really boils down to money.
They are out there and you can have whatever you want if you got the dough.
I wish I could just write checks and have the finest set of Morgan's.
I don't begrudge those that can though. In some way or another they earned the money to buy what they like.
That's what's great about this forum right?
At least we get to see those coins when collectors post them.

winesteven

The Morgan DATE set I’m working on will have no PL’s or DMPL’s, but I suspect that you may be right with your question, or close to right. Like you, I also like smooth, clean cheeks. I’ve got 17 coins so far in my set, 11 more to go.

I’ve learned three things so far:
1. Many times photos are picking up “distractions” that turn out to be nowhere near as noticeable on the coin in hand compared to the photo. As such, try to see as many as you can in-hand, or find a trusted friend or dealer to look at coins in hand on your behalf.
2. If the coin is in an auction, I’ve found that many of the major auction houses will have one of their numismatists bring the coin to the phone, and give you honest answers to your questions. In my experience with a couple of these auction houses, despite today’s hi resolution photos, for coins that look nice to me, they tell me to pass, and be more patient, and wait for a nicer example in that grade. Unbiased advice like that is invaluable!
3. I suspect you really have to go to a higher grade to have a better shot at clean cheeks.

Here’s my 1903:

Steve

ricko

@winesteven ... Excellent points. Though the coins with DMPL and clean cheek are certainly out there, they are more often found in grades 66 and above..... Not that 64 and 65 do not have examples, just not very common. Cheers, RickO

lkenefic

@winesteven said:
The Morgan DATE set I’m working on will have no PL’s or DMPL’s, but I suspect that you may be right with your question, or close to right. Like you, I also like smooth, clean cheeks. I’ve got 17 coins so far in my set, 11 more to go.

I’ve learned three things so far:
1. Many times photos are picking up “distractions” that turn out to be nowhere near as noticeable on the coin in hand compared to the photo. As such, try to see as many as you can in-hand, or find a trusted friend or dealer to look at coins in hand on your behalf.
2. If the coin is in an auction, I’ve found that many of the major auction houses will have one of their numismatists bring the coin to the phone, and give you honest answers to your questions. In my experience with a couple of these auction houses, despite today’s hi resolution photos, for coins that look nice to me, they tell me to pass, and be more patient, and wait for a nicer example in that grade. Unbiased advice like that is invaluable!
3. I suspect you really have to go to a higher grade to have a better shot at clean cheeks.

Here’s my 1903:

Steve

Thanks for your insights... this piece will be for my Box of 20. I've collected Morgan Dollars in some form or another since I started collecting as a kid. I still like the design and the history associated with them but I've moved in a different direction. I kept a handful of Morgan Dollars, a few for sentimental reasons, but I still want one that shows off the design, is a good representation of the issue, and is a bit "photogenic". That's why I'm gravitating more towards a DMPL. I put this search on hold as I was finishing my Type set, but I'm now thinking I might have to be a bit more realistic in my approach... but I've seen a lot of 65s that also don't have a clean cheek... I suppose the search continues and it's not going to happen overnight... thanks again for your insight. Best, Leo