Newbie has questions about Grading Morgan Dollar

cary1952

Hi David!

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.

5.) Can there be deficiencies in strike or lustre or bagmarks to get an MS66?

Thanks

Cary in South Dakota

homerunhall

Hi Cary,

1. Strike is a component of grade. As defined in the PCGS Grading Guide, an O Mint...or any other Mint dollar...meets the standards for MS65 in terms of strike if it is "sharply struck," not fully struck, but sharply struck.

2. Luster is a matter of degree, and slightly sub par luster would not preclude a grade of MS65, if everything else was solid Gem quality.

3. This may be a question of eye appeal. Our saying is "Eye appeals adds a little and forgives a lot."

4. All three are of equal importance in my opinion.

5. Answers for MS66 are similar, but the bar is higher.

Thanks,

David