Newbie question about Morgan Dollars

cary1952

1.) Can an O mint Morgan get a MS64 (or higher ) grade if it is weakly struck?

2.) Can a Morgan get a MS65 (or higher) if the lustre is below average but everything else is great?

3.) Can a Morgan get an MS65 (or higher) with Stupendous lustre and strike, but a few too many bag marks for the grade?

4.) Which is more important to get to MS65? strike, bagmarks, or lustre, all other things being equal. Can 2 out of the 3 of these get you the MS65 grade? Please rate 1, 2, 3.

Thanks

Cary in South Dakota

nwcs

1. Generally no. Depends on degree of weakness as well as the other attributes of the coin.
2. Depends on how below average. Significantly below, no. Average, possible.
3. Depends on the year. For an early s mint, no. For others not known for great strikes, probably.
4. Can't rate them, it's a whole. Think of a perfect morgan and work your way down from there. A MS65 can have problems but not many and the problems can't be in significant areas.

BigAl

in my experience w/ pcgs:

1) yes
2) no
3) yes, but depends where the marks are. if on cheek or left obv field, then probably not. if most marks are on the reverse you stand a much better chance.

edited to add #4:
4) eye appeal, luster, originality

cary1952

So you are both saying that to get MS65 or higher, you need great Lustre. # of Bag Marks less important than strike, and lastly if strike is weak, but common for the year, you could get a 65 if everything else is up to snuff?

To get a 66 I dont suppose you can have Lustre or strike problems at all, is that correct?

Cary in South Dakota

nwcs

Yes, luster needs to be good. Not diminished. Booming is great but doesn't have to be superior. # of bag marks and strike are different. Bag marks are issues depending on size, quantity, and how noticable they are. Strike is mostly an issue relative to what's expected for that given issue; that is better or worse than expected makes a difference. A 66 coin is just a little bit better than a 65. Like a small notch better.

lava

Today is question and answer day on the Q & A forum -- you might consider posting your question there, and let DH answer, since your question is aimed at what PCGS would do, and none of us can really speak for PCGS.

coinguy89

Turn your allow private messages on in your profile so I can PM you. Welcome to the forums.

techeff

Hi Cary, Here's an example that might help answer some of your questions. This coin is currently in a PCGS MS65 holder. Some think it's over graded because of the number of bag marks. The bag marks are very light, but the thing that gets it to a 65 is the super strike! When you see a morgan that has very good detail on the eagle's right claw (left to the viewer), you know you're on to something. Hope that helps, Keith

K6AZ

I wouldn't question that 81-CC in a 5 holder, it's a nice coin and some 81-CCs can have very mushy strikes.

DennisH

And it's a 65 because it's a CC. If it was an 1880-O it might be an MS63.

Myqqy

I wouldn't question that 81-CC in a 5 holder, it's a nice coin and some 81-CCs can have very mushy strikes.

Don't CC's get a little extra leeway with bagmarks compared to issues from other mints?
Techeff, I love that 81-CC- very nice!!

K6AZ

They do. But this one isn't like some I've seen that looked like 63s to me. In any case, it's a nice looking coin.

lava

If cracked out and resubmitted 10 times, I wouldn't be surprised if it came back 64 at least half the time. I hate to criticize the coin, but I would have graded it 64. I'm a little suprised on that grade.