Question on Eye Appeal of BU Morgan Dollars

moosesr

I have just started collecting a few MS Morgan Dollars and am having trouble telling what makes one particular MS coin more desirable than another in the same grade. For example, I was watching a DLRC auction tonight and looking at a NGC and PCGS MS63 1998-S. Only the PCGS was getting bids and to me the NGC coin looked like it had fewer marks and just as much eye appeal as the PCGS coin. The only thing I could see was the NGC coin didn't appear to have quite as good a strike as the PCGS coin. What am I missing?

Link

Any comments would be appreciated on why the PCGS coin appeared to be more desirable to bidders?


Thanks,
Charlie

K6AZ

The NGC coin may have fewer marks, but the PCGS coin has a much stronger strike.

granddad

PCGS coin has a much stronger strike, much more original luster and a frosty look. It has upgrade potential. Whereas the NGC coin only has the potential to drop a grade in my opinion.

Have a Great Day!
Louis

traderdave

Herd instinct is strong! People go for what everyone else wants or claims as the best. It has nothing to do with fact. Often a study of fact points the opposite way, but everyone wants what is accepted and in demand by their peers--well, almost everyone. Some people are odd-- they think for themselves! That's why some people buy underpriced NGC and try to get the holder crossed over to PCGS. It's the game and the fact is, its the same coin with the same condition but a new attitude!

DorkGirl

I think that the only eye that matters here is yours. Which one did you like better? I liked the PCGS coin because of the luster and the better strike. The NGC coin looks flat, no sparkle, she doesn't talk to me.

Go to your nearest coin shop and look at the Morgans. Sooner or later there will be a coin that your eye is drawn to time after time. Whatever that look is that trips your trigger will be what you will look for in all your coins. I'm sure that it is a little different for all of us.

The right combination of strike, luster, and color is what I look for. Maybe for you, it will be blast white DMPL's. Choose the combination that is right for your eye, and don't worry about the plastic that it is in.

moosesr

So.. strike and luster are probably more important than non-distracting marks with regard to eye appeal on BU Morgans? In my example case if the NGC coin had sold with the opening bid, it would have been $75 cheaper than the PCGS coin. I guess I still have a lot to learn about BU Morgans!!

Thanks for the comments!

clw54

<< <i>So.. strike and luster are probably more important than non-distracting marks with regard to eye appeal on BU Morgans? In my example case if the NGC coin had sold with the opening bid, it would have been $75 cheaper than the PCGS coin. I guess I still have a lot to learn about BU Morgans!!

Thanks for the comments! >>


Heck, if you liked the NGC better, you coulda had a bargain.

Sometimes it's better to like the stuff others don't. You can get what you enjoy cheaper.