AU or BU on this Morgan?

moosesr · July 11, 2014 3:34AM

Does this 1885 NGC AU58 Morgan look AU or BU?
Thanks for any opinions.

Unknown · July 11, 2014 3:35AM

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joeykoins · July 11, 2014 3:38AM

I think BU. Esp. the reverse. Fields are awesome!

AMRC · July 11, 2014 3:56AM

Our host would AU this coin.

LindeDad · July 11, 2014 3:57AM

<< <i>Our host would AU this coin. >>

I would too and little lower than NGC did.

Timbuk3 · July 11, 2014 3:57AM

Looks AU to me, IMHO !!!

Unknown · July 11, 2014 3:58AM

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Type2 · July 11, 2014 4:31AM

I spy with my eye a AU58. Nice looking coin.

IrishMikey · July 11, 2014 4:42AM

Looks AU to me -- light circulation marks in the fields.

halfhunter · July 11, 2014 7:17AM

"Choice BU" according to many of the big time advertisers in numismatic periodicals . . .

AU-58 IMHO.

HH

BryceM · July 11, 2014 7:27AM

I'd say accurately graded, on the nicer side for an AU coin. There's enough field chatter and rub along the front of the neck & over the cheek to keep it from grading BU.

Best described as an AU coin. If trying to masquerade as an uncirculated piece, it would probably be bodybagged for excessive hairlines (92 - cleaned).

Wabbit2313 · July 11, 2014 7:29AM

<< <i>AU58.

Possibly bagged if the grader was dumped by his girlfriend before work. >>

If he was dumped by his Wife, possibly MS-67.

roadrunner · July 11, 2014 7:47AM

Au58

bsshog40 · July 11, 2014 7:49AM

The Obv makes it AU.

Justlooking · July 11, 2014 7:52AM

Obverse fields show plenty of marks, but I'm not sure I see wear. Could be a 61.

DennisH · July 11, 2014 7:58AM

AU

moosesr · July 12, 2014 12:56AM

I have always had trouble telling the difference between AU58 and low MS coins. Here are some pictures of a coin that was graded.MS61 that I was using for comparison with the AU58 coin that made me think it might be a MS.

bsshog40 · July 12, 2014 1:10AM

The only reason I'm going with AU is because of libertys cap. It looks to be worn/rubbed down.

MICHAELDIXON · July 12, 2014 1:16AM

accurately graded AU58

kaz · July 12, 2014 1:19AM

I also think it looks high AU

BryceM · July 12, 2014 1:51AM

The AU/BU call is sometimes a difficult one, especially on Morgans & Peace Dollars.

You'll drive yourself crazy if you think there's no ambiguity or wiggle room. For the graders it probably comes down to a gut feeling. Some coins get graded by strict technical considerations and many more are graded on their overall market acceptability. There are a great number of silver dollars in MS64 and MS65 holders that technically show a bit of high-point wear. As long as it's just a bit, and the coin is otherwise stunning, it's often overlooked. In older, high-value coins little issues sometimes get passed off as "cabinet friction" or "trivial luster breaks".

In your first example, the hairlines and greying of the cheekbone and neck area are enough that it just can't be overlooked. This coin will grade AU almost every time. Besides, on a common-date coin like this there is no compelling reason for a grader to go out on a limb and call it a low-end BU coin when there are literally thousands of others of low-end BU coins to chose from. The second coin shows some frost breaks - possibly even slight wear (it's hard to tell from the lighting angle), but fewer hairlines and cleaner fields. The marks on this coin seem to be more accurately described as bagmarks vs hairlines. If submitted ten times, you'd probably get a few AU grades in the mix.

cheezhed · July 12, 2014 1:54AM

AU

ricko · July 12, 2014 2:16AM

AU....Cheers, RickO

coindudeonebay · July 12, 2014 2:23AM

<< <i>

<< <i>Our host would AU this coin. >>

I would too and little lower than NGC did. >>

Little rub on the cheek makes it 58. I can't see it lower than that no matter who slabbed it.

AU or BU on this Morgan?

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