Grade Revealed: 1897-O Morgan Dollar (VAM-6) - PCGS AU-58

Stuart

Welcome to this latest audience participation episode of the grading reality show Guess the Grade.



I invite you to guess the grade of this 1897-O (VAM-6) Morgan Dollar by voting in the poll, and also encourage you to please post your grading criteria, comments and eye appeal observations to keep this thread both lively and active.



1897-O Morgan Dollar (VAM-6) - PCGS AU-58 - Near Date, Slanted O & Progressive Reverse Peripheral Die Crack

TopographicOceans

66

rhedden

The coin is an AU58 to me, but it could easily reside in an MS62 TPG holder these days. I think the eagle's breast shows light friction rather than weak strike.

david3142

I was between 58 and 62 and went with the latter. Pretty hard to tell a touch of rub from photos.

johnny9434

i went with au 58. it might go au 55 though. jmo

bamorgan

My grade would be AU55. From the coin picture, looks lifeless with very little luster in the areas protected by the high points of the coin. The gouge at 1 o'clock is pretty noticeable.



The circular toning rings around the stars and mint mark are puzzling. Was the coin dipped many years ago and not throughly washed, resulting in the rings of toning?



All in all, not a bad strike for an "O" mint.



BAmorgan

3keepSECRETif2rDEAD

I say AU58 but if no wear then MS64...cool coin!

fivecents

MS63

HighRelief

Weak strike with rim damage and slight rub so maybe AU58

ricko

MS63..... that rim damage might kill it though.... Cheers, RickO

Wabbit2313

Who votes MS67??

asheland

AU58

TommyType

Like most, I was waffling between 58 and MS. I went MS based on the fields and cheek being pretty unbroken in color/luster.



However, the photo seems to show very muted luster. Toss in the rim ding at 1:00, and average to lower strike, (not that I know the normal characteristics of a 97o, mind you), I was tempted to go with 62. But the overall clean appearance made me vote 63.



(Which, based on my grading abilities, means it's either 66 or no grade/cleaned).

mannie gray

To me, it's a technical 58 with subdued luster which means it's a 55.

Definite wear on cheek, hair, eagle.

Stuart

Originally posted by: TommyType

Like most, I was waffling between 58 and MS. I went MS based on the fields and cheek being pretty unbroken in color/luster.



However, the photo seems to show very muted luster. Toss in the rim ding at 1:00, and average to lower strike, (not that I know the normal characteristics of a 97o, mind you), I was tempted to go with 62. But the overall clean appearance made me vote 63.



(Which, based on my grading abilities, means it's either 66 or no grade/cleaned).

Thanks to my fellow forum members who have taken the time to vote in the poll, and to post your grading criteria, comments and eye appeal observations to keep this thread both lively and active.



In reply to several muted mint luster observations (including the above quoted post), it is common for this dealer's auction photos to appear more lackluster than the coins actually do in hand.



I'll be pleased to post the grade after this thread sinks down into forum oblivion.

anablep

I went with 58. Still a nice coin for sure...

Stuart

Thanks to my fellow forum members for voting in the poll and for providing your grading criteria, comments and eye appeal observations about my new 1886-O Morgan Dollar. The grading summary is that with 45 votes in the poll prior to revealing the grade, 40% correctly graded it AU-58; 20% AU-55 and 30% graded it Mint State 62 or Higher.



It is interesting that nobody discussed the VAM-6 Variety - Near Date, Slanted "O" & Progressive Reverse Peripheral Die Crack.



I particularly enjoy observing the progression of die cracks as die wear continues, through the progression of the die state from early, to middle to late.



Specifically this example appears to be midway between the VAM-6 and VAM-6A with the progression of die cracks through the eagle's right (viewer's left) wing through the words "States Of". However, although the reverse die is cracked, this coin does not exhibit evidence depicting that the dies had yet broken when it was struck, as there is no evidence of displaced metal.



1897-O Morgan Dollar (VAM-6) - PCGS AU-58 - Near Date, Slanted O & Progressive Reverse Peripheral Die Crack

asheland

I like it!