1889 MORGAN GRADING CHALLENGE

Nickcap · July 20, 2012 1:16PM

Both of these Morgans are 1889-P.

Both of them were submitted to PCGS together.

Both Morgans were purchased from the same member of this Forum.

Both Coins Graded Differently:

AU58 & MS62

Can you guess correctly the coin grades? Also, why do you think that?

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COIN 1

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COIN 2

Buzzybest · July 20, 2012 1:22PM

Coin 1 is AU58 because of the spot to the right of LIBERTY?

lasvegasteddy · July 20, 2012 1:24PM

#1...62
#2...58
looking at the fields

Buzzybest · July 20, 2012 1:25PM

Lady Liberty is staring at a couple of dings on Coin 1.

LogPotato · July 20, 2012 1:26PM

Coin 2 is the 58

lasvegasteddy · July 20, 2012 1:27PM

lady liberty is staring at some traffic on coin #2

Buzzybest · July 20, 2012 1:29PM

<< lady liberty is staring at some traffic on coin #2 >>

I like your analysis.

66Tbird · July 20, 2012 1:30PM

#2 is the 58, coin1 is a weak strike.62

phnatacc · July 20, 2012 1:30PM

#1 - 62
#2 - 58

Unfortunately #2 is a far less sharp image, but my comments based on the images are:

Rub on eagle's right and left wingtips.
Lack of detail on upper breast feathers.
Seemingly less detail in hair, leaves and cotton bolls.

HighRelief · July 20, 2012 1:32PM

Coin 1 is the AU58 seeing what looks like rub over the eye and in the hair. With the reverse it is showing rub on the talons and leg feathers unless it is just out of focus.

Jinx86 · July 20, 2012 1:37PM

trick question....same grade? Personally Id call them both 58 from pics.

Buzzybest · July 20, 2012 1:45PM

<< trick question....same grade? Personally Id call them both 58 from pics. >>

Except that the OP said that they graded differently. I trust his statement.

devious · July 20, 2012 1:47PM

Coin two is the AU58. I am stating that based on the hair above the ear as well as the fields.

MarkInDavis · July 20, 2012 2:08PM

Coin 2 is 58. The eagles breast feathers look like they have some rub as well as Liberty's cheek.

Buzzybest · July 20, 2012 2:10PM

I am going to bed! Good night.

amwldcoin · July 20, 2012 2:11PM

From the pictures coin 2 is the 58 due to the rub on the cheek!

DennisH · July 20, 2012 2:21PM

<< #1...62
#2...58
looking at the fields >>

Yep.

stealer · July 20, 2012 2:37PM

Coin 1 is uncirculated

Coin 2 is circulated

That's all I can tell from the pictures

Baley · July 20, 2012 2:46PM

that is a stumper; both coins look AU55 from here, 58 at best, tough to see either one of them 60 much less 62, If pressed for an answer I'd guess coin 1 is nicer

Nickcap · July 20, 2012 2:57PM

Coin 1 was graded MS62

Coin 2 was graded AU58

A little background on these coins. I purchased these coins trying to get an AU58+ grade from PCGS. The coin dealer and I discussed the coins and I purchased them raw without seeing a picture. I submitted them to PCGS and got these grades in return.

LeeBone · July 20, 2012 9:19PM

<< From the pictures coin 2 is the 58 due to the rub on the cheek! >>

coinkat · July 20, 2012 9:46PM

I would rather see them in hand, tilt them and look at them closer.

I suspect 1 is the 62 but the image may not capture the fields for what they are

TorinoCobra71 · July 20, 2012 10:25PM

Coin #1 = AU58
Coin #2 = MS62

joeykoins · July 21, 2012 1:28AM

<< 

<< From the pictures coin 2 is the 58 due to the rub on the cheek! >>

>>

I Agree with the both of you guy's!

bestmr · July 21, 2012 1:36AM

Not being proficient in grading, I'd guess #2 as the au. My reason is it isn't as lustrous as the first one. Doesn't have the same pop if u will.

magikbilly · July 21, 2012 2:22AM

It is neat how these might appear in hand. They are several grades apart and yet grades MS60 and MS61 generically can't be assigned a plus. If the differences between 58-62 are more obvious than the differences between 66,67,68 and so on, then should there be room for a plus assignation in MS60 and 61...those grades, once reserves for coins it seems no longer can grade at all, now represent "low quality" by definition. The same must be true of a 67 or 68? Is a plus necessary? Yes, high end for the grade. Can that not be true of a 61? If the vast majority of coins are lower MS60 would that not be where you'd want a plus option as the appearance of a 60 or 61 could vary so?

Eric

Wolf359 · July 21, 2012 4:10AM

To further confuse things....

I was the seller. I graded both coins at "AU58+" when sold.

Here are the pre-sale photos:

Coin 1 (hopefully I got this part correct)

Coin 2

Rollerman · July 21, 2012 4:38AM

<< #1...62
#2...58
looking at the fields >>

Yes, the fields have that give away patterned gray look to them on coin #2. I would think that coin #1 could grade higher from an abrasion standpoint, BUT it seems to be lacking in luster and that's held it to a 62.

Pete

Just saw the new pictures - the difference is more obvious and the hits are much more visable in these photo's. I see now why coin #1 was a 62, I might grade it lower than that after seeing the number of dings.

roadrunner · July 21, 2012 7:15AM

Far more scuffing and chatter in the left obv field of coin #2. And even her overall face is more chattered.

On the OP's photo's what gave it away for me was that on coin #1 Miss Liberty was starting at the "E" with a full view of the field luster. Those dings in front of the E
don't change anything with the luster. It's still unbroken.

On coin #2 there was no unbroken luster in her view of the "E." What's left of the luster is fuzzy or shadowed.

LindeDad · July 21, 2012 7:32AM

<< Coin two is the AU58. I am stating that based on the hair above the ear as well as the fields. >>

that hit on the curl above the ear is the focal point of grading IMO.

1889 MORGAN GRADING CHALLENGE

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