Crack 'n Grade test part 1 -- what grade did a popular TPG give this Morgan VAM? (grade revealed)

DennisH

I bought this coin knowing it was graded higher than PCGS will grade it, but since they aren't exactly common in higher grades I bought it anyway. (Such is one of the annoying realities of VAM collecting; you often won't agree with the grade but if you want an example you have to buy what's available.)

This coin is going to be cracked out and sent in raw to PCGS. But what grade is currently on the holder of a popular third party grading firm? And if you like, go ahead and predict what grade PCGS will give it.

I'll post the actual current grade Sunday night, and I'll dredge up this post when it comes back from PCGS.

coinbuf

Currently in an MS60-62 holder, AU58 at PCGS is my guess.

Chris

Agflyer

Great question. It'll be interesting to see the results.

DennisH

Rick's not allowed to play in this one.

ldhair

I would guess it's in a MS-63 holder now.

100proof1957

Ms64 now

Comes back 63

1886 O high Six

I know doodly about these,is the high 6 a VAM ?

DennisH

OK.. time to reveal which variety we're talking about here, because the grade guesses have been way too high.

Speaking of which, the slightly darker areas all around Liberty's portrait aren't dark areas; they're areas of scuffs and wear. The lighter area on the reverse above the motto is too. And the eagle's breast isn't semi-smooth just because of soft strike; it's wear. All of these clues are more examples of why you can't trust scan images.

Anyone want to change their grade guess?

nesvt

Nice clashing.
I'd say in an AU55 and comes back EF40.

razorface1027

MS-63...pCGS will give it AU-58

Rampage

I almost bought one of them off eBay last month, but it was raw and looked like it had a problem, so I passed. It was listed as AU/UNC. Looked AU58 to me.

Rampage

Since there is plenty of luster. I have edited this response to say AU58 at PCGS and currently setting at AU55 in a PCI holder.

DennisH

There's plenty of lustre on this coin... maybe not so much for the grade currently on the holder, but certainly for the one I think it's going to be at PCGS.

Rampage

I have edited my response above.

DennisH

Up until a couple of hours ago the coin was in an ANACS AU58 holder.

It's now in a flip ready to go to PCGS. My prediction -- AU53.

Rampage had it right on both counts his first post.

coinbuf

Well you got a lot of wrong answers because you said it is in a "third tier" holder, ANACS is not a third tier TPG IMO.

Chris

ziggy29

Even before I saw the answer, I was thinking AU-55 myself.

JrGMan2004

The black and white picture is really tough to grade by...

DennisH

Chris:

No where did I say "third tier" holder. The title of the thread, and my first post, both say "Popular third party grading (TPG) firm"