What grade would you give this Morgan?

coinbuf

This is an 1898-S which I'm deciding to keep or not. Well what grade do you think it should have been given??




Thanks for your thoughs

Chris

TheRaven

MS-62

K6AZ

MS63.

ibzman350

63 works for me.



Herb

kryptonitecomics

Obverse looks like a 63/64...reverse like a 62...I'll go with 63

BAJJERFAN

62 shot 63

Oney

MS63

LittleBitOEverything

ms 63 at the most.....honestly I would say 62...jmho

Windycity

Likely a 62 ...

100proof1957

63

coinbuf

Thanks for everyone's input; looks like the average is MS63. Mabey NNC got this one right, myself I think it would go AU58 baised on the field chatter.


Chris

K6AZ

Field chatter doesn't determine whether a coin is AU or uncirculated, wear does. The 98-S tends to one of the weaker strikes for C2 reverse S mint Morgans. On these coins you really have to go by the reverse, the eagle's neck feathers and right wing. You lit up those areas pretty good on the reverse, and I'm pretty sure it's an uncirculated coin.

Stuart

CoinBuf: AU-58 or MS-62 (possibly PL) depending on whether the slightly darker gray discoloration on the eagles' breast is wear or some type of light toning that was imparted by either an envelope or other previous coin holder.

I'd also look closely at the hair above Miss Liberty's ear to determine if the lack of hair detail there is the result of a weak strike or some light wear.

Although I agree with Eric that field chatter does not constitute wear, there are certain types of scratches which are diagnostic of uncirculated coin-on-coin contact, or counting machine marks, and other type of scratches which are diagnostic of the coin having been briefly circulated.

I have noticed that these telltale field contact marks will sometimes assist me in carefully examining the coin to determine AU-58 vs MS-62.

Based upon your photos, the coin appears to have a light cameo contrast between frosty devices and reflective fields which could perhaps qualify for PCGS' PL designation. But, that's a very tough call based solely upon the photo provided... I hope that this is helpful to you...