Aloha to all of you!

jshawaii

Please help a novice collector of Morgan's learn what the real scoop is for grading services and how they use E-Bay. Just from tracking a few hundred sales, I notice that PCGS and NGC coins seem to go for a much higher percentage of asking price (as listed in PCGS's coin price lists), then coins graded from NTC or ACG and a few other companies that seem to pop up on e-bay.

I've bought a few MS62-65 just to see if I can figure out specifc reasons for grading, but to my naked eye, thay all seem pretty close and I don't feel that I've been ripped off by any of them.

So, How do you all decide when a coin is graded correctly from looking at pictures?

Thanks -

relayer

Only PCGS and NGC guarantee their grading with money, so any grades on other slabs you can't really trust.

As far as grading by a picture, it's probably accurate withing +/- 2 points.

You should pick up books on grading, like the ANA grading book or Photograde.

Kriek

PCGS has much higher grading standards and the percentage of coins that are under/over graded are much lower than other services.

Interesting quote and read from DH listed below


<< <i>The absolute reality is that PCGS coins are worth the most - David Hall's Inside View >>

jshawaii

Thanks for sending me to David Hall's website. A real eye opener of articles on how not to get ripped off. It should be required reading by E-Bay before they allow you to bid! -

ksteelheader

This is also good reading for Morgan collectors!

fivecents

<< <i>Only PCGS and NGC guarantee their grading with money, so any grades on other slabs you can't really trust. >>


I didn't think NGC had a grade guarantee.

JrGMan2004

Welcome to the forums!

CarlWohlforth

Aloha to you too!

It is difficult to grade. One can't grade simply by counting and measuring marks. Tiny differences in luster, or strike or location of marks/scuffs can make a large difference in grade.

If one can't fully appreciate the difference in grade one should stick to the lower grade as it is likely to be much cheaper.

XpipedreamR

Howdy there! How's the poi today?

Numismanic

Welcome to the boards. Determining a grade from a photo, especially mint state coins is very difficult. Buying coins that are certfied by PCGS, NGC, Anacs, and ICG you can be sure you are not getting a poorly graded coin, I can't say that for any of the other tpg's.

Don

NoGvmnt

"Buying coins that are certfied by PCGS, NGC, Anacs, and ICG you can be sure you are not getting a poorly graded coin, I can't say that for any of the other tpg's."


ICG? Are you serious?

Jim

WWW

ICG? Are you serious?

For Morgan's, I think that they are just as consistent in grading them as the other 3.
But that would be from a collector viewpoint only. With respect to resale, I'll pass.
ICG really hurt their reputation with over-grading so many moderns and the market
acceptance for their products reflects that.

Aloha jshawaii ! And welcome to the boards. As a born and raised Hawaiian,
I always like seeing fellow islanders here on the boards.

Make sure that the coins you buy on eBay are from reputable sellers that offer a return privilege.

Dollars

Welcome to the boards. You have come to the right place.

mercurynut

Purple73

The Information I was given when I came to this board was.....Read ...read and read some more. Readbook, A.N.A grading book and the Photograde book are excellent choices. There is another book I saw that someone posted on here that was all about Morgan dollars. Lemme see if i can find that thread for ya.

to the board

PURPLE!


Edit: Here is some info on books:

Various Morgan books noted

Edit 2: Here is another:

Redbook Guide to Morgan Dollars

mgoodm3

Welcome.

lava

JS, you have come to the right place. Where in Hawaii are you? You might explore the PCGS site a little and enable yourself to receive private messages. There is a lot to be learned here.

paigowjohnny

<< <i>Only PCGS and NGC guarantee their grading with money, so any grades on other slabs you can't really trust. >>


I think ANACS guarantees their grades as well....

get a copy of the new Red Book for Morgan Dollars by Q. David Bowers...an EXCELLENT reference for a beginning Morgan collector.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Morgans, bruddah....

Johnny....kama'aina wannabe...Waikiki resident 1982-1984, Aiea resident 1991-1994

Numismanic

<< <i>ICG? Are you serious? >>



At least they won't grade an 1895o Morgan thats bodybag material as AU53.



Don

MICHAELDIXON

If you're not a member of the Honolulu Coin Club, you should join. Many knowledgable people belong to it and would enjoy sharing their knowledge with you.

cladking

Welcome aboard.

You can't really grade from a picture but if someone knowledgeable describes
the coin and the picture then you can get a fairly good idea of grade.

airplanenut

<< <i>

<< <i>Only PCGS and NGC guarantee their grading with money, so any grades on other slabs you can't really trust. >>


I didn't think NGC had a grade guarantee. >>

They do--and as I've heard, they're FAST regarding reimbursements

jshawaii

Well, Aloha to everyone who responded. It looks like I have a new wealth of information to go through before I get serious.

I think you saved me alot of $$$

What about this lawsuit?

Dennis88