Grade Revealed -- 1880 Morgan Dollar -- PCGS MS-64 -- Scan vs Photo Image Comparison

Stuart

Welcome to the latest episode of "Guess the Grade". Please tell us what grade you would assign to this 1880 Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar, and what grade you think that the grading service assigned.

Please also post your grading criteria, and reasons for arriving at your designated grade. Thanks for participating!!

MikeInFL

My grading criteria: It looks like a 64.

airplanenut

Looks like it either needs a little boost in lustre or a few fewer marks to hit 64, so I'll call it 63.

Jeremy

BlindedByEgo

I agree with 64, but it's hard to discern hits from die polish in your pics.

Soooo hard grading from pics.

razorface1027

Possibly 64. The abrasions on the cheek would hinder it from 64. However, with the lighting you used for the pic it's hard to distinguish just how prominant the abrasions are. The reverse appears clean. It does look like it has some color. Again, the definition in lighting impedes true visual perception; therefore, I'll give it a 63.

Look Stuart...I hadda make it sound like i know what I'm talking about.

Edited to add: Me knowing you couldn't possess a common date Morgan in anything less than 65 has me ambivilant at this juncture.



Tom

Stuart

Here are some additional photos which may help you make your decision...

razorface1027

In that case...64.



Tom

clw54

64

Myqqy

64, because it doesn't really look like a 65, and doesn't really look like a 63......

Hadleydog

64, although the pictures with the green background make it look more like a 5............64, final answer.

goldisgood

64 but I've seen worse in a 65 holder

ibzman350

64 works for me..........why ? Duh......this is the part I'm not very good at, why? well datz what a 64 should look like.

and I also agree with goldisgood.



Herb

Stuart

Thanks to the 28 forum members who have voted their grade in the poll, and to the 11 who have also postred their comments to this thread.

Interesting results so far. As usual the forum average is right on target with the grade.

I personally thought that this coin was solid to high-end for the assigned grade because of the strong strike, high luster and relatively few and minor contact marks -- especially for an early Philadephia mint Morgan Dollar.

DrWho

MS63, scuffs on cheek. on a 'good' day (for you), it might get a 64. if they're tight, 63. IMHO, 64, but IMHO does not work with PCGS graders, who only spend about 30 seconds on a coin this 'common'.

eyoung429

MS63, there is some rub in the hair and on the feathers edge. Good luster, Very nice eye appeal although the hit on the cheek is what will keep it from going any higher.....very high focal point.

Thank you for sharing!

coinbuf

I voted 63 but from your comments I'm guessing its in a 64 holder. I dont think a 64 should have the luster breaks that appear in the right obv field, but thats just my opinion.

Chris

messydesk

64 shot 3.

mgoodm3

64

anablep

64 all the way

Stuart

Thanks to the 42 forum members who voted in the poll and the 18 who took the time to post their grading criteria for this 1880 PCGS MS-64 Morgan Dollar.

Here are the results of the poll: MS-64.3

MS-66 1 (vote) 2.38 (%)
MS-65 4 (votes) 9.52 (%)
MS-64 22 (votes) 52.38 (%)
MS-63 15 (votes) 35.71 (%)

So, if we assume that an average MS-64 would grade MS-64.5 (midway between 64.0 amd 64.9), then the forum grades this coin (from the images provided) as a below average MS-64.3

I actually paid slightly below the $140 PCGS Price Guide price for this specimen (less $15 E-Bay coupon savings ), and purchased it because I feel that it has above average eye appeal for an early P-Mint Morgan Dollar.


I thought that the following original sellers' auction images made for an interesting scanned vs photo image comparison for the same coin...

Original Seller's Digital Photographic Auction Images


Original Seller's Scanned Auction Images