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Newps: 1894-P Morgan - Comments/Feedback wanted

ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,409 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited August 14, 2023 1:55PM in U.S. Coin Forum

I recently received this 1894-P Morgan that I won at auction. I got a great price on it so I'm still OK with the deal I got but I was disappointed to see the scratch on the face. What I thought was maybe a great deal is now just an OK deal. I don't think the photos were intentionally deceptive - the auction had terrible pictures on all of their coins and when I took my own pics (below) I got similar results. The first pic resembles the auction pic. Then with more lighting, all is revealed. The scratch isn't that severe really, it's almost not visible from certain angles and lighting but it also cannot be ignored.

Here's the comments I'd like from the forum:
1. Assuming all else is good (accurate grade, original surfaces), would the scratch keep this from getting a CAC sticker? I presume it does.
2. Just as a learning exercise, where is the wear that makes this AU vs MS? I see some scrapes but it's hard to differentiate wear from bag marks/scrapes.
3. Just out of curiosity, not that this coin would be one, has JA ever gold CAC'd an AU58 indicating that it was MS?

BTW, I'm keeping it so see my ad if interested in buying the one this is replacing. https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1094024/1894-pcgs-morgan-silver-dollar-au50-cac/p1?new=1



Comments

  • anablepanablep Posts: 5,139 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It's an AU, but the mark across the jawline is a major distraction for me.

    Always looking for attractive rim toned Morgan and Peace dollars in PCGS or (older) ANA/ANACS holders!

    "Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."


    ~Wayne
  • TomBTomB Posts: 21,503 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I'll go with answers in order to your numbers-

    1. If the scratch is particularly deep then I don't think CAC would like that, but if it is more like a thin luster graze that only shows up at specific angles then you may be fine. However, given this is an all-white coin, the scratch may stand out worse than if it had its original skin intact.
    2. I'd suggest you rotate the coin under a light and look for luster breaks. The wear is likely along the front portion of the hairline around Ms. Liberty's face and perhaps general scruffiness in the fields.
    3. Yes, I have received multiple AU58 coins with gold CAC stickers and they have been of the era of your coin, as well.
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,801 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If the sellers pics did not show the scratch and the seller failed to mention, I'd be real tempted to send it back. Of course price is a real consideration.
    bob

    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • coinbufcoinbuf Posts: 11,531 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Unfortunate about that scratch, I doubt that it would be hard to miss when rotating the coin. As to the AU question, while I have no definition of this, when I see the gray areas in the field (like on your coin between the lettering and the wreath) that translates to AU on the grading label more often than not.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 4,046 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That scratch is a dealbreaker for me at any grade level, and I don’t think it will CAC.

    Founder- Peak Rarities
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  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,899 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ProofCollection said:
    I recently received this 1894-P Morgan that I won at auction. I got a great price on it so I'm still OK with the deal I got but I was disappointed to see the scratch on the face. What I thought was maybe a great deal is now just an OK deal. I don't think the photos were intentionally deceptive - the auction had terrible pictures on all of their coins and when I took my own pics (below) I got similar results. The first pic resembles the auction pic. Then with more lighting, all is revealed. The scratch isn't that severe really, it's almost not visible from certain angles and lighting but it also cannot be ignored.

    Here's the comments I'd like from the forum:
    1. Assuming all else is good (accurate grade, original surfaces), would the scratch keep this from getting a CAC sticker? I presume it does.
    2. Just as a learning exercise, where is the wear that makes this AU vs MS? I see some scrapes but it's hard to differentiate wear from bag marks/scrapes.
    3. Just out of curiosity, not that this coin would be one, has JA ever gold CAC'd an AU58 indicating that it was MS?

    For what I believe to be evidence of wear, see the areas on Liberty’s cap beneath the UN in UNUM and the period to its left. Additionally, my guess is that CAC wouldn’t sticker the coin.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • LeeBoneLeeBone Posts: 4,492 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Another showing of how a coin can be depicted by the angles and lighting.
    First pic- Nice AU 58
    Second pic- Darn

  • KeshequaKeshequa Posts: 108 ✭✭✭

    2: no wear, just luster breaks.

    Personally, it looks like an ‘au61’ to me.

    As an aside, if the scratch eats at you now, get the coin out of your life-even at a loss. It will nag you forever, regardless of price/value.

    Buying and Selling coins for 54 years, 700+ shows in last 20 years, and boy am I tired.
    Purchased and Trademarked the Mohawk Valley Hoard
    Originated the Rochester (NY) Area Coin Expo

  • KeshequaKeshequa Posts: 108 ✭✭✭

    @Keshequa said:

    2: no wear, just luster breaks.

    Personally, it looks like an ‘au61’ to me.

    As an aside, if the scratch eats at you now, get the coin out of your life-even at a loss. It will nag you forever, regardless of price/value.

    No sure what happened to the font….sorry for the super duper big font.

    Buying and Selling coins for 54 years, 700+ shows in last 20 years, and boy am I tired.
    Purchased and Trademarked the Mohawk Valley Hoard
    Originated the Rochester (NY) Area Coin Expo

  • Manifest_DestinyManifest_Destiny Posts: 6,900 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Wow, first pic looks great and hid the problem.

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