How much Rim Ding/Damage is too much

Options
bru
bru Posts: 23 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

In putting together an Econ submission, I was on the fence about this 1884-S. It has an obverse rim ding that is borderline (I think). What are people's thoughts based on the pictures below.

I spent some time looking at rim damage coins on Heritage and most seemed worse than this.

LCS thought it might squeak by but I am thinking probably not.

Obv:

Side:

Overall coins is low AU so perhaps worthwhile even if details but questionable on that front. Reverse doesn't show any rim damage.

Comments

  • coastaljerseyguy
    coastaljerseyguy Posts: 2,127 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    As this date gets expensive moving into AU, TPGs might get more conservative with grading. Think they will detail.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,051 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 10, 2026 9:11PM
    Options

    it seems a bit much. your thinking is spot on

  • Acarroll
    Acarroll Posts: 242 ✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I don't think it's a straight grade with that rim ding.

  • hummingbird_coins
    hummingbird_coins Posts: 1,671 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I think it's borderline. It looks iffy from the side, but from the front it barely even affects the rim. I've seen 1884-S Morgans graded AU that look like they ought to be details cleaned. They might even be a bit lenient with these since it's so hard to find really high quality ones.

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

  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,391 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 10, 2026 9:05PM
    Options

    It’s barely noticeable when looking straight on, but from the angle of the rim, I think it is too prominent. I think it gets the details, genuine grade.

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

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

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

  • asheland
    asheland Posts: 24,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    My guess is it’s exactly a 50-50 shot
    I’ve seen some pretty extreme rim dings get straight grades…

    My YouTube Channel

  • CircOnly
    CircOnly Posts: 2,222 ✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I've seen WAY worse in PCGS and NGC holders. Most of the time I would see them detail that ding is if someone files the rim down flat. As asheland said it's a 50/50 shot but I've seen worse straight graded.

  • CircOnly
    CircOnly Posts: 2,222 ✭✭✭✭
    Options

    https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/2115411/1884-CC-Morgan-Silver-Dollar-NGC-VF-25-Toned-from-photo

  • Steven59
    Steven59 Posts: 11,227 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Tough call - You never know what you'll end up getting now a days........

    "When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"

  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    If the problem looks old they are less likely to details grade it, as others have said there has been a lot worse straight graded largely in NGC slabs.

  • Morgan13
    Morgan13 Posts: 2,691 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Can you post an image of the whole coin please.
    Id really like to see what grade it is beside the rim ding.
    Thank you

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
    Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
    Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7 JWP BruceS bigjpst
    JWP PROMETHIUS88

  • No Headlights
    No Headlights Posts: 2,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Even if it passes it will be the first thing you see every time you look at the coin. I would pass.

  • Morgan13
    Morgan13 Posts: 2,691 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    It might not be so obvious in the slab.

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
    Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
    Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7 JWP BruceS bigjpst
    JWP PROMETHIUS88

  • coinkat
    coinkat Posts: 24,542 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    Seems the better question is… What happened to the coin to create the cut that seems present in the reeded edge? I am not suggesting an alternative to PMD, but the nature of the resulting damage from the so-called ding seems alittle out of the ordinary. And would that simple observation influence the straight or details grade outcome?

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • MedalCollector
    MedalCollector Posts: 2,103 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Options

    I agree with your coin shop that it might squeak by. It might appear worse than it is (to us) b/c of the large, close-up pics.

    And if you think that it would benefit from grading even with a details holder, then go for it!

  • mr1931S
    mr1931S Posts: 7,309 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 11, 2026 4:02PM
    Options

    Too much of anything is when it's the first thing you notice every time you get the coin out to look at it. '84-S is a better date but I wouldn't slab this date in grades below AU. 2027 Red Book gives a value of $345 in AU-50 with a huge jump to $10K in strictly uncirculated condition (MS-60). EF-40 is $155. Details grade will cut that value by 1/3 to 1/2. It is what it is. I have a lovely 1934-D dollar that has a scratch on the reverse as noted by NGC. It's a a staple scratch. Dealers shun buying my coin which would be over $200 retail sans the scratch. The best offer I got at the last show I attended was $60 (I was asking for $75) so I'm keeping the coin.

    "Two things are infinite: human stupidity and the universe; and I'm not sure about the universe."
    -Albert Einstein-

    Mistakes are natural. But repeated mistakes without reflection are something else. That may be the “stupidity” he was referring to. In research, he admitted uncertainty openly. “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” This shows humility. Even a Nobel laureate accepted doubt. That humility makes the quote less cynical and more observational.

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 12, 2026 3:20PM
    Options

    Low confidence level it will straight grade.

    Investor
  • bru
    bru Posts: 23 ✭✭✭
    Options

    Thanks all! I still may holder under Economy as I think that may still make it more sale-able. Putting on the maybe pill for the time being!

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Format
SpoilerCodeQuote
Heading 2Heading 1
Emoji
:):D:(;):/:o:s:p:'(:|B):#:*<3o:)>:)
Url
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file
Comment As ...

Categories