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Should I submit my Morgans?

mikestumikestu Posts: 8
in U.S. Coin Forum
I have 8 Morgan 1921, 1 1921-D, and 1 1921-S. I got them all in a roll as part of an estate auction on eBay. I have spent some time looking at images of other Morgans graded by PCGS, and I can't help but think that most of mine are just as good as others graded at MS-65. Nearly all of them have a pretty good luster to them, with a nice strike, and very minor marks. Some have a couple of tiny dark spots, but my guess is it's best to not touch/clean them. I have attached front/back scans of my 1921-S to check out. If it were MS-65, $1575 would be worth the $30 grading. I don't know if it's worth it to submit the regular 1921's though because of their high mintage. I have never had any coins graded before, so any opinions would be appreciated!!

Mike

Comments

  • GonfunkoGonfunko Posts: 1,481 ✭✭✭
    image to the forums. Sorry, but the Morgan is either a "slider" or grades about MS-63. There are a few too many nicks in the face and field for MS-65.
  • MICHAELDIXONMICHAELDIXON Posts: 6,501 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The scan of the coin you have posted is not worth sending in for certification. It would not make MS65 and I doubt if it would make MS.
    Thanksgiving National Battlefield Coin Show is November 29-30, 2024 at the Eisenhower Allstar Sportsplex, Gettysburg, PA. Tables are available. WWW.AmericasCoinShows.com
  • mikestumikestu Posts: 8
    Ok, thanks for the two responses. It just shows how subjective grading is I guess. One of you says possibly MS-63, the other not even MS at all. That's quite a difference. I have seen some sealed and graded Morgans on eBay that have more scratches than mine, yet are still MS-x. Unless they're fake containers, somebody graded them poorly. Unfortunately, I don't yet know enough about how to grade to know myself.
  • razorface1027razorface1027 Posts: 4,242 ✭✭
    The scan of the coin you have posted is not worth sending in for certification. It would not make MS65 and I doubt if it would make MS.

    DITTO: Yo AYEEEEEEE...Welcome!image
    What is money, in reality, but dirty pieces of paper and metal upon which privilege is stamped?
  • kamehameha00kamehameha00 Posts: 2,077
    I suggest you buy Photograde.You can get it at most coin shops or major bookstores.

    And stay far away from ACG, NTC, PCI, SGS, and TRUgrade.They tend to overgrade by atleast one point on each coin.
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,082 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hello and welcome.
    Do as the others suggest and save yer money!!
    theknowitalltroll;
  • JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hi mikestu, by saying -might not make MS- means that the coin might have some circulation or rub on it. You can have a really nice coin with very few hits and still not make uncirculated mint state.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
  • mikestumikestu Posts: 8
    Thanks everyone! I appreciate the tips. I have a lot to learn. image
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 13,991 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Don't feel bad !

    The 1921-S (the P and D, too for that matter) is a VERY hard coin to start your Morgan education process with. Virtually all of them were made like cr*p, the strikes are horrible, and the eye appeal is pitiful. It is actually kind of hard to find one that will grade as high as MS63. Most of the coins that make it into PCGS-65 holders are semi-PL and have intense, flashy lustre. In fact, I can't recall having seen a PCGS-65 1921-S that didn't have this basic "look".

    Welcome to the boards!
    When in doubt, don't.
  • mikestumikestu Posts: 8
    It actually is quite shiny, but the scanner didn't capture that. Also, I meant to say I have 18 of the regular 1921's. I paid $197.50 for all 20, which looks like it may have at least been fair. I also have an 1880-O MS-63 (SEGS). When I look at that one in the case, it does have some rub, but really doesn't have scratches like a circulated one would have. That's the big difference...all of my 20 in the roll must just be some level of AU.
  • dorkkarldorkkarl Posts: 12,691 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Should I submit my Morgans? >>

    are you trying to play dealer? if so, then yeah, go ahead. but if you wanna collect, just enjoy the coins. don't worry so much about "grade".

    K S
  • lavalava Posts: 3,286 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Should I submit my Morgans? >>

    ... don't worry so much about "grade".

    K S >>



    I disagree. ALWAYS worry about the grade. That is the most idiotic advice I have ever heard.
    I brake for ear bars.
  • vega1vega1 Posts: 941 ✭
    Welcome Mikestu. As you said, yes there is a alot to learn, but don't worry about it. Just don't go too fast and you'll save yourself from making any big mi$take$. Buy some books now, before you buy any more coins (photograde and the red book, are great) pick up a book about the basics, such as , yes, don't clean your coins. keep an eye on these boards and have fun. Grading is a skill that takes most many years to master. The number of variables to consider are many, and change depending on the series (morgans, seated halves, etc.). Collect what you like and you'll enjoy what you have.

    Can anyone else recommend a good book that covers the fundamentals? Someone mentioned "the coin collectors survivors guide" recently I think(?)
  • mikestumikestu Posts: 8
    Thanks! I'm already looking at getting a book or two. Another thing I should probably do is put those Morgans into separate holders. Each time I take them out of that plastic roll container they're in, it has the potential to put more wear on the coins. I rarely ever take them out, but still. I would guess that putting my hands on them doesn't help either.
  • fountainheadgoldfountainheadgold Posts: 2,467 ✭
    image
    Michael
  • mirabelamirabela Posts: 5,013 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I don't think anyone has pointed out yet -- ONLY handle your coins (any coins, and especially MS or near MS ones!) by the rims; never put your fingers on either face. Fingerprints will sometimes show up years later...
    mirabela
  • SDCollectorSDCollector Posts: 886 ✭✭
    mikestu,

    Another bit of advice. 1921 Morgans are by far the most common dates for Morgans and in my opinion, the most unattractive (very flat devices compared to any other date). So the price premiums on 21's are grade related, there's no date rarity at all. So that means the grade has to be very high (i.e. rare) for you to recoup your cost of grading.

    Here's two good books on Morgans:
    The Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars (Van Allen & Mallis)

    And Q. David Bowers has a new "Red Book" on Morgans that is very good.
    Bill
  • mikestumikestu Posts: 8
    Yeah, I unfortunately noticed the mintage on that year after I had bought them...just too many of them out there. It's a good lesson learned though. They're fine coins, but may be harder to sell, if I decide to get rid of them sometime.
  • dorkkarldorkkarl Posts: 12,691 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I disagree. ALWAYS worry about the grade. That is the most idiotic advice I have ever heard. >>

    i feel sorry for you then.

    i prefer to be concerned about how much I LIKE the coin.

    K S
  • earlwbollingerearlwbollinger Posts: 1,304
    Go ahead and submit them.
    It's a good learning experience to see how good you are at grading or not.
    Use the $16.00 Economy service.
    The scan is hard to tell, but MS62 maybe MS63 would be possible. But if it does have a bit of wear and not just a poor strike then AU55-58 would be likely.
    The trick is if someone had cleaned them, then they get rejected by PCGS.
    The big dollars can easily get rim dings or rim damage which can get them rejected as well.
    Corrosion damage is another rejection scenario too.
    image
  • alergaralergar Posts: 420
    MS64 on a good day more likely a MS63
  • ajiaajia Posts: 5,403 ✭✭✭
    Mike,

    If that's the best of the lot I would recommend keeping the lot in the roll & waiting for silver to go up. At best the strike looks VERY weak.

    It is hard to see the LUSTER of the coin, but if it's 'shiney' OVERALL, not just in the fields I would be very cautious about sending the coin in to PCGS. If you are looking for a PCGS graded coin, especially a 1921 (P-D-S) I would suggest just buying one already graded.

    If you want to see what these coins might grade at, I would suggest ANACS grading as this is cheaper, faster & if cleaned they will NET grade the coin. Then base the others off this one. Others here, more experienced than I can tell you how far off ANACS grading is from PCGS, but I believe they're pretty close.
    image
  • mikestumikestu Posts: 8
    Yes, it is pretty shiny overall. It's not perfect shiny though, so I doubt it was ever polished. About half of mine are this shiny; the others are still decent though.

    The website only allows 50k attachments. I'll have to see if I can upload a large file scan to my website so you can see way more detail. Also, I'll see if I can get the image to show the original luster. I originally scanned it to be about 3 MB in raw image size...you could see every tiny mark in it at that point. Then, I'm guessing I will either get a "definitely not" or "it's worth a shot". By the way, this board is a great resource for the coin collecting community...new and old.
  • K6AZK6AZ Posts: 9,295 ✭
    For comparison, here is a Philadelphia 1921 Morgan, PCGS MS64:

    image
  • mikestumikestu Posts: 8
    One more thing... would anyone recommend bringing coins in to a local dealer to get their opinion on their grade? Is this something that local dealers wouldn't mind doing? Just curious..
  • steelheadbobsteelheadbob Posts: 51
    In my opinion Morgans are one of the hardest coins to grade. There are so many mid grade Morgans that when you finally see an above average one you go WOW.The few I have in my collection are all Wow coins that I bought for the look and not the grade. Everyone will tell you right now Morgans are hot and easy to sell. I think this brings alot of mid level coins to market hoping to cash in on the craze. Send a coin in to be graded to see how close you are and then educate yourself on what makes a WOW coin over a mid road one. Bottom line is to have fun and enjoy your purchases.
    ~Elephants and Rhinos~
    ~I'm ready, I'm ready~
  • MyqqyMyqqy Posts: 9,777 ✭
    One more thing... would anyone recommend bringing coins in to a local dealer to get their opinion on their grade?

    If you can find an honest, friendly dealer who is willing to talk coins with you, that would be a great find- some dealers like to talk newbies along, and others act like they never learned how to have a polite conversation. Some dealers are more open to dispensing advice if you also purchase a few items, and show interest in becoming a regular customer. Personally, I wouldn't even think about wasting my money in grading fees until I've looked at thousands of coins and have honed my grading skills.... Good luck!!
    image
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
  • spankyNYCspankyNYC Posts: 53
    Hey man,

    Welcome!!!

    Scan's of silver coins are tough... they don't show luster and eye appeal and looks kinda crappy whenever you scan a silver coin.

    If you take a photo, we could better judge the coin's app grade.

    Spanky

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