Newbie asking for a grade opinion. 1883-O Morgan

StriderTB

I've only started collecting coins in the last few months, after inheriting a few Morgans and an 1866 2 cent. I'm very much a novice when it comes to coin grades, so I wanted to ask for opinions before I sent my first coin in for grading.





As you can tell, I'm also a novice at photographing coins.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

-Jim

DUIGUY

Not bad pics for a novice! Nice looking Morgan.

No break in luster 64/65
Break in luster PQ58

keepdachange

I would guess MS65 from the pic. Good luck!

bidask

I would guess from your picture MS 62.

GoldenEyeNumismatics

Don't send it in. You'll waste your money. It's a cleaned slider--not the bright, unnatural appearance in the central reverse.

StriderTB

Here's two more shots.





I also have one of those GSA slabbed Carson City Morgans, from 1884. The rest of my Morgans are very worn.

Thanks for the insight, guys!

Johnp

One day you have to share your photo tricks it looks great the coin, the single fine line around her eyes will for me but it a MS63 nice even luster over the coin and even on both sides. Very nice coin

ElKevvo

Hmmm...O Mint Morgans typically have a weaker strike especially in the hair around the ears and this one shows that (based on the second set of photos). Also the breast feathers on the reverse are lacking and it looks like the reverse has some rub or has been cleaned a bit.

So my guess would be 1) If not cleaned or rubbed MS64 due to the weak strike limiting the grade a bit along with the hits in the field to the left of the eagle or 2) BB'ed for cleaning.

Nice coin though! All Morgans are IMO

K

edited 'cause the second set of photos showed up while I was typing...same conclusion though!

cheezhed

AU58 cleaned

StriderTB

<< <i>One day you have to share your photo tricks it looks great the coin, the single fine line around her eyes will for me but it a MS63 nice even luster over the coin and even on both sides. Very nice coin >>



I have a Macro setting on my fairly cheap camera. Makes a difference when you get in really close.

Here's my 1921 S




And here's my GSA slabbed CC. Tough to get shots of with the reflection.

DennisH

MS63 or less.

cheezhed

The GSA is a keeper.

lcoopie

I would try to learn yourself about grading
especially spotting cleaned coins which will not grade
before sending them in,
or
you will waste $ like many here have.

the first 2 probably don't warrant the trip in, IMO

StriderTB

What are the telltale signs of a cleaned coin? Is it just too bright for its age, or are there marks to look for?

DoubleEagle59

ms62

BlindedByEgo

<< <i>What are the telltale signs of a cleaned coin? Is it just too bright for its age, or are there marks to look for? >>



For one thing, the 83-O Morgan has too much reflectivity on the eagle's breast (which also exhibits wear), and there are other points on the coin that indicate outright polishing. When you see brightly polished looking areas in the open fields (say in the area central to the eagles body on the reverse) which fade to more subdued reflectivity near the devices, that's a good indication of cleaning. It's where whatever was used to shine the coin couldn't effectively reach.

You can also turn the coin under a strong light - at oblique angles you will see hairline scratches in and around the polished areas. Theis would be a result of abrasive wiping of the delicate coin surfaces. Sometimes a high-speed dremel type tool will be used for buffing, with an attempt to simulate mint "cartwheel" or luster. This is called "whizzing" but is really just another form of surface cleaning and polishing.

Hope that helps.

tightbudget

Would not send any of the raw Morgans in cause they look cleaned. Also, I would have that GSA holdered at NGC because the coin is more desirable in a GSA holder.

clarkbar04

The 1883 looks a bit worked on, as others have said.

The 21-S just looks like a little bit of pocket friction, au-58

That cc is sweet looking, 63 easy.

kevinstang

While others have debated if its cleaned,MS63 etc... or not, my question is why? A weakly struck 83-O is one of the most common Morgans out there, buy one in a slab already and save some money or enjoy the one you have for what it is.... It's my understanding that bags of the 83-O came from the Gov't holdings. Just go to your next local coin show and look through the dealer stock, better yet ask them if they have any 83-O that are nice, your likely to see a smile on their face . I've pulled lots of coins similar to your 21 from dealers junk silver dollar lot for just above melt. The CC looks nice.

coinnuttius

Sorry, looks like the coin does not have "original" surfaces. The shiny spots on the breast, left of wind and right of wing imply that. Unless you're really experienced buying raw coins is a loosing proposition. For common date coins... just buy them slabbed.

UtahCoin

<< <i>AU58 cleaned >>



I second this opinion

DorkGirl

Your 21 S looks like it has a D on the reverse........

lasvegasteddy

newbie??????

you go farther back then me

julie43

<< <i>Would not send any of the raw Morgans in cause they look cleaned. Also, I would have that GSA holdered at NGC because the coin is more desirable in a GSA holder. >>

StriderTB

<< <i>newbie??????

you go farther back then me >>





I usually lurk in the sports collectibles forums.

Thanks for all of your help, guys! I didn't buy any of the coins I have except for the 1921, which only set me back $12. The rest were given to me. I've always been interested in older coins, and since I'm weaning myself off of hockey cards, I'm moving forward with coins.