Thoughts on this 1879 CC Morgan

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Qniform
Qniform Posts: 41 ✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Greetings from a new, inexperienced collector. I'm testing how much I (don't?) know about evaluating raw Morgan dollars. These images are from an Ebay listing I looked at and decided not to buy, despite a good price, and a return guarantee from a good seller.


Obverse: Looks like XF to me. I'm not concerned by the patterned toning from 11:00-2:00 above Miss Liberty and by the date, thinking it is from a canvas bag. I don't see signs of cleaning, but I'd have to see it in hand.

Reverse: There are 3 pretty significant bumps to the rim. The mint mark looks wrong (left 'C' is weird looking). I don't know what to think about the very dark toning. Is it environmental damage? A result of cleaning I should know about?

Anyway, any comments are appreciated.

Does the material give rise to the immaterial, or vice versa?

Best Answers

  • hummingbird_coins
    hummingbird_coins Posts: 1,671 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I think it's good you didn't buy it. I would not be concerned about its authenticity nor the rim bumps but rather its originality. It looks like it is recovering from a cleaning and that's probably why it was a good price.

    Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
    Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled

  • mattniss
    mattniss Posts: 863 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Looks authentic, but also looks like a VF details coin to me as well.

  • DennisH
    DennisH Posts: 14,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    High VF details, and VAM 3 capped die.

    When in doubt, don't.
  • gumby1234
    gumby1234 Posts: 5,901 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    cleaned and what you think is toning from 11 to 2 on the obverse is toning but from fingerprints that many people dont like to see on their coins.

    Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM

  • Shurke
    Shurke Posts: 782 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I don’t think the dark areas on the reverse are environmental damage, but they do make me think the reverse has been cleaned.

    One spot I’m looking at specifically is the R in DOLLAR and the star next to it. There are haloes around those devices that are a different color than the deep blue-ish tint nearby. It’s got an unnatural look to it.

  • john_nyc1
    john_nyc1 Posts: 249 ✭✭✭
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    The CC mint mark looks highly funky esp. the left C. Could be a fake.

    Casual collector: Morgans & Peace Dollars & 20th Century Type Set. Successful BST transactions with ProofCollection, Morgan13, CoinFinder, CoinHunter4, Bretsan.

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,151 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It looks like a genuine, unattractive cleaned example with some minor reverse rim damage to me.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • kaz
    kaz Posts: 9,378 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    When I see sharply demarcated areas of dark crust, as on the reverse, I think of cleaning. The area just above the eagle's head looks kind of scrubbed to me.

  • lkenefic
    lkenefic Posts: 9,519 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF details coin, Cleaned... it's good that you passed...

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

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  • VanHalen
    VanHalen Posts: 4,330 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Qniform said:
    @gumby1234 said:

    cleaned and what you think is toning from 11 to 2 on the obverse is toning but from fingerprints that many people dont like to see on their coins.

    So you think the marks (in approximately the same area) on this 1878 CC are also fingerprints? I was more concerned about the apparent corrosion on the rim nearby.

    >

    Yes, those appear to be fingerprints. I don't see corrosion.

  • BigAl
    BigAl Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭
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    @DennisH said:
    High VF details, and VAM 3 capped die.

    👍

  • Copperindian
    Copperindian Posts: 3,379 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Personally, I would like to welcome you to this forum. You appear receptive to the comments that are made in good faith to your inquiry. Best of luck as your learning process progresses.

    “The thrill of the hunt never gets old”

    PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
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  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,392 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    VF details.

    You were wise to avoid it.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • gumby1234
    gumby1234 Posts: 5,901 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 3, 2025 2:25PM Answer ✓
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    @Qniform said:
    @gumby1234 said:

    cleaned and what you think is toning from 11 to 2 on the obverse is toning but from fingerprints that many people dont like to see on their coins.

    So you think the marks (in approximately the same area) on this 1878 CC are also fingerprints? I was more concerned about the apparent corrosion on the rim nearby.

    Yes those also appear to be fingerprints. Some people don"t seem to mind them others like me can"t stand to see them on my coins.

    Edit to add. This is a much nicer coin and the fingerprints aren"t as bad either.

    Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM

  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,088 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    both cleaned

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions

Answers

  • Qniform
    Qniform Posts: 41 ✭✭
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    I really appreciate all your comments.

    Does the material give rise to the immaterial, or vice versa?

  • Qniform
    Qniform Posts: 41 ✭✭
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    @gumby1234 said:

    cleaned and what you think is toning from 11 to 2 on the obverse is toning but from fingerprints that many people dont like to see on their coins.

    So you think the marks (in approximately the same area) on this 1878 CC are also fingerprints? I was more concerned about the apparent corrosion on the rim nearby.

    Does the material give rise to the immaterial, or vice versa?

  • Silverstacker
    Silverstacker Posts: 72 ✭✭✭
    edited May 3, 2025 3:01PM
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    I bought an 1878 CC today as well as a 1878 Rev'79 7TF. I didn't pay much for either and thought them worth the price. They hold interest for me as a new Morgan collector.




  • Qniform
    Qniform Posts: 41 ✭✭
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    @Copperindian said:
    Personally, I would like to welcome you to this forum. You appear receptive to the comments that are made in good faith to your inquiry. Best of luck as your learning process progresses.

    Thank you!

    Does the material give rise to the immaterial, or vice versa?

  • Qniform
    Qniform Posts: 41 ✭✭
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    Again thanks to all. I'm thinking I need to look at a lot of graded coins before I spend much money. It's hard when enthusiasm takes over. Plus it seems to me that TPGs have become more conservative over time, since I see earlier slabbed coins that look like they were probably cleaned.

    Does the material give rise to the immaterial, or vice versa?

  • Qniform
    Qniform Posts: 41 ✭✭
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    @Silverstacker said:
    I bought an 1878 CC today as well as a 1878 Rev'79 7TF. I didn't pay much for either and thought them worth the price. They hold interest for me as a new Morgan collector.




    I'd be worried about that green color. Could it be PVC residue?

    Does the material give rise to the immaterial, or vice versa?

  • hummingbird_coins
    hummingbird_coins Posts: 1,671 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Qniform said:

    @Silverstacker said:
    I bought an 1878 CC today as well as a 1878 Rev'79 7TF. I didn't pay much for either and thought them worth the price. They hold interest for me as a new Morgan collector.




    I'd be worried about that green color. Could it be PVC residue?

    No, it's toning. It can be identified as such even without a trained eye if you look at PLU in PLURIBUS where it starts to change to blue and purple.

    Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
    Life is roadblocks. Don't let nothing stop you, 'cause we ain't stopping. - DJ Khaled

  • Silverstacker
    Silverstacker Posts: 72 ✭✭✭
    edited May 3, 2025 10:59PM
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    For $60 and a 30 day return, seller paying postage I'm not worried about anything. Plus the guy doesn't live far from me. Nobody can look at that coin and tell me its NOT worth $60. I think its toning too. I'm a little more wary of the rim wear on the '78 CC but the wear is generally uniform, and again, its a '78 CC and the price was right.

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