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Colored 1886 worth grading?

My first post here, so please go easy on me :-)

I've got this 1886 Morgan that is colored.
I haven't been able to find anything similar searching online.
Are there good search words I should include to try to find similar?

Is it something worth grading?

Comments

  • MarkKelleyMarkKelley Posts: 1,873 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sorry, it won't straight grade.

  • IkesTIkesT Posts: 3,094 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The coloration is considered post mint damage, so it is not gradable.

  • Thank you both. So if somebody likes it for the numismatic side of things, that's where it might have value maybe. But otherwise, it's degraded from its original form, so less valuable than original it sounds like.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,479 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There seems to be more to this than we've been told so far.

    What is that thing? Is it a box? Pill caddy? Does it open? Is there glass over the coin?

  • Some more pics on the enclosure. I couldn't find how to open it (old eyes), but I now do see on the one side.
    The cover seems like glass, not plastic - that's just from tapping on it with finger nail - definitely seems like glass, not plastic.

  • IkesTIkesT Posts: 3,094 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @gthomson said:
    Thank you both. So if somebody likes it for the numismatic side of things, that's where it might have value maybe. But otherwise, it's degraded from its original form, so less valuable than original it sounds like.

    Yes, the coin itself is less valuable as a damaged coin. Better now to keep it as is and (if selling) market it as a jewelry piece. It's decorative, and assuming the coin is genuine, there is silver content, so there is still some value there. Looks like it is intended to be either a pendant or a fob.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,479 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 3, 2024 4:49PM

    Thx for the photos.

    I can see now that it is meant to be used/carried as is, but I still suspect it had a use beyond a pocket piece. I wonder if that flat edge was used for something.

    I am also wondering if the coloring is enamel (melted glass).

    If you post on the US Coins Forum you'll get more eyes on it.

    It probably has more value as it is now than if it were an original circulated silver dollar.

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,479 ✭✭✭✭✭

    BTW - if it has some age to it (late 19th century) then the windows might be mica.

  • JWPJWP Posts: 21,993 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 10, 2024 4:29PM

    I would spend the money to have it graded. It would probably be considered PMD because the coin has been altered. Just keep it if you like it.

    USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
    Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members

  • JBKJBK Posts: 15,479 ✭✭✭✭✭

    The coin can't be graded in the frame and that frame is where it's value is at this point. Enjoy it for what it is, or sell it to someone who will. ;)

  • Thank you all.
    I was never much into coin collecting.
    But my aunt passed a couple years ago, and she had many coins that she saved in various ways.
    So it's now actually kind of interesting to learn about them. But hard to know why she saved them, or why she thought they were important.

    On this one, I have no urgent need for dollars, and it is kinda cool. So I'll keep it as-is in the original enclosure, and move on to look at the other hundred or two coins she had to see what's there.
    This was one I couldn't find much about, though.

  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,529 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 22, 2024 7:27AM

    Worth grading? Absolutely not.

    It no longer has any numismatic value, having been altered like that. Submitting it would be a complete waste of money.

    But it does still retain the bullion value of the silver content. And it might have some value as a novelty or a piece of coin jewelry, to the right person.

    So… collectible as a coin? Nope, not anymore. But collectible as a vintage curio? Sure, why not.

    Keeping it as-is was the right decision. There’s nothing that could be done to reverse the “damage”, so you might as well leave it be and let someone enjoy it as a curio item.

    PS- welcome!


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  • JWPJWP Posts: 21,993 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 7, 2024 12:10PM

    Why is the eagle and the surrounding wreath colored and nothing else on the reverse. Looks like it was doctored for a possible appearance change. I would not send it to be graded, a waste of money. you might have a problem selling it to a collector. Possible jewelry item. PMD

    USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
    Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members

  • WAYNEASWAYNEAS Posts: 6,675 ✭✭✭✭✭

    In my opinion, it would make a great pocket piece.
    Wayne

    Kennedys are my quest...

  • JWPJWP Posts: 21,993 ✭✭✭✭✭

    You might search "Colorized Morgan Dollar". Personally, it looks nice, but it is also PMD IMHO. Just sayn

    USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
    Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members

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