A little help grading Morgans Please

TCiccone

I have aquired a few Morgans and I am a Mercury Dime collector. I understand larger coins can have more contact than the small ones but I am not really sure how much. I would appreciate everyones assistance with grading opinions. Scans are pretty large so they may take a while.

The high spots of the white coins have light scrape looking contact, is this common on Morgans? It can be seen the best above the ear on the 84cc.

Thanks all.
TC

wingedliberty

As a merc collector who also added Morgans. This is very common. Larger coin, more room
for contact. Cheek and left field are very vulnurable areas as well


Brian.

wingedliberty

ms62, au58


brian

FC57Coins

MS63 (because it's a CC), AU58, MS62

TCiccone

What does the mintmark have to do with the grade if I may ask?
Thanks
TC

Beatlemen

MS63, AU55 and the 1897 S MS62

FC57Coins

Generally speaking PCGS at least seems to be more linient in grading CC coins - the why's of it Im not certain - maybe one of the Morgan guru's can enlighten us.

Frank

CalGold

1897-s looks like it might have PVC contamination. That would be the green staining. Might also be AU--some grey looking places in the field. Can't figure whether 1896 is MS or AU--too darkly toned.

1884-cc MS62 or 63--can't tell if the luster breaks on Liberty's face are light or deep.

wingedliberty

FC is right, PCGS and NGC sometimes cut Carsons a lick slack.


Brian

TCiccone

Thanks for all the input it is greatly appreciated. You are all the best!

Cal- You are right there is a light greenish blueish residue on the coin. The reeds are clean so I would imagine the coin has been dipped in an attempt to remove it. Additionally under high magnification the coin's luster is a little flatened and may ultimitely mean it is AUish. Will redipping remove the residue? There is no toning on the coin and looks as if it were probably dipped before. Suggestions?

Thanks
TC

beartracks42

TC,
I read, on this forum, that the Carson City Morgans are given some leeway on marks because they were transported in bags hauled in horse drawn wagons. Don't know if that is accurate or not.

If your 1897-S has PCV contamination, it might be possible to remove it with acetone, gently swirled over the surface of the coin with a cotton ball or cuetip. This is what I was told by an ANACS grader one time.

Gary

TCiccone

Gary
Thanks a bunch. I have some MS70 and jeweluster but no acetone, I'll have to get some unless one of those would be OK. I don't do too much dipping or chemicals unless it is super high grade with bad eye appeal. Do you think one of those might be ok?
TC

TCiccone

Anyone else?
Thanks
Tony

beartracks42

TC,
MS70 will clean dirt and residues such as spots left from the mint rinsings, but I have never heard of it taking away PVC.
Jewellust will remove metal from the coin with the chance of damaging its looks. I would go to a hardware store like true value and get a pint of pure acetone. In fact that is what I did. Be sure to follow instructions regarding acetone use and keep it in an open area and away from flames, and you will do just fine.

Gary

GAT

Soak it over night in pure aceton obtained from the local Home Depot, don't use your ladies fingernail polish remover. Be sure to use a bowl and cover it as acetone evaporates quickly. If you have PVC the acetone will have green slime in it the next morning. Do not rinse the coins in tap water as this will leave mineral deposits which are just as bad. I just let mine air dry on paper towels but you can rinse them in distilled water first.

mbbiker

Why can't you use fingernail polish remover does it not have enough acetone to do anything????

GAT

The second ingredient on my wife's polish remover is water! Water isn't going to remove anything. Pure acetone is best and very cheap.

mbbiker

thanks gat no wonder my mom's nail polish didn't work

Gilbert

I would call the grades MS62, AU (the rev does look MS) and MS63. As for that CC, the contact on the face neck and fields looks light but numerous - I don't think they will be leniency. The toning on the '96 may have "injured" obverse surfaces - scope it to be sure and although by 1897 the "S" mint coins weren't as sharp as earlier "S" mints, they can still be found PL and semi PL + that looks like a heavy gouge in the breast.

If the acetone is slimy, then you should soak again in new acetone, and again until there is no residue left in the acetone, if you want to get rid of all PVC.