Is there really very much difference between PCGS MS-65 and MS-66?

moosesr

I just received my 1880-s PCGS MS66 and compared it to my PCGS MS65 and to me the MS65 looks just as good if not better. Any opinions on whether I just bought the plastic or does my new coin really look like a MS66?

Thanks,
Charlie

dimples

your 65 could be high end & your 66 could be low end for the grade is one possibility.

Dan

StampAlarm

Well, when it comes to 80-S and 81-S Morgans it's hard to tell the difference
between a 64 and 66 sometimes because of the strikes.



Jerry

HonoluluDude

Why question it? Just take the grade!

RedTiger

There is no substitute for looking at a lot of coins. One or two or twenty coins does not a grader make. It can also help to have someone point out the differences. Luster, strike, eye appeal and marks are all factors. Many novices focus too much on one of these areas and overlook some of the others. Learning to grade is a process. Enjoy.

Doogy

there is a one point difference between the two

Deadhorse

Judging from that picture, I'd say you did real well getting a 66. If there is one coin I can grade, it's a Morgan.

If that were in a 65 slab I'd think it was about right.

Of course, it's always tough to grade from a picture.

Yes, there is a difference between a 65 and a 66, usually a much bigger jump than from 64 to 65.

Either you've got a low end 66 and a high end 65 as was stated earlier, or the picture isn't doing that coin justice.

IrishMike

I bought an 80-s in 67PL via online auction. It was nicer than my 65's but not two points plus the PL designation nicer.

SeattleSlammer

Well, when it comes to 80-S and 81-S Morgans it's hard to tell the difference
between a 64 and 66 sometimes because of the strikes.

Wrong! On a Morgan, it's very easy to tell the difference between a 64 and a 66, regardless of the strike.


Judging from that picture, I'd say you did real well getting a 66. If there is one coin I can grade, it's a Morgan.
If that were in a 65 slab I'd think it was about right.

There's nothing worse than a 65 that limps into a 66 holder; at least there's nothing worse for an unsuspecting-buyer. But it's great for a seller!

moosesr

I didn't submit the coin for grading myself, I bought the coin off ebay. I just don't like the mark on the nose and the mark by the ear under magnification, but under no magnification the coin looks nice with good luster just not much nicer if any than my MS65. I will be keeping it to replace my MS-65 VAM-11 in my registry set.

ricko

The most significant difference is the price. Cheers, RickO

ziggy29

There is a clear difference between an average 65 and an average 66 to the *trained* eye.

Whether that clear difference -- small as it often is -- justifies several value multiples over 65 is something everyone has to answer for themselves. To me it rarely, if ever, would. But I'm not in a registry or trying to put together the "finest" I could possibly afford of each coin. I'm looking for nice examples in what I consider a "good value for the money" grade. At least when I'm buying coins, which I'm mostly not right now.

roadrunner

I see a lot of so-so MS66's that are barely discernible from the solid 65's. Often the only possible difference is in the location of the marks.
I find that discerning the 2 is very difficult, sometimes just a matter of a slight luster graze or extra tick on the face. While I see a huge
difference in say a bust half from 65 to 66, you would think the larger facial area on the Morgan would make them easier to split hairs.
Often I'd say it's a matter of chance and the company the coin keeps as it is being submitted. The latter being more important than most think.

roadrunner