Ms65? 1886 Morgan **revealed MS66**

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Ppp
Ppp Posts: 611 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited August 13, 2026 4:37AM in U.S. Coin Forum

Do you think this is an MS65? If not, based on the pictures what would you give as a grade?

I will post the current grade later.

Comments

  • coastaljerseyguy
    coastaljerseyguy Posts: 2,127 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Not a 65. High end 63, or liberal 64. Reverse is a 63, and the obverse, although better & less hits, I do not like hits on the nose or eye area.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    1. 65 on a good day, depending on what the reverse looks like in hand

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • Morgan13
    Morgan13 Posts: 2,691 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Its definetly got a nice strike.

    Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    64 with nice strike

  • lermish
    lermish Posts: 4,998 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    1. Potentially 63 depending on how the cheek looks with better/different lighting.

    chopmarkedtradedollars.com

  • ChrisH821
    ChrisH821 Posts: 7,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I would not be against it being in a 65 holder. I would say it's a strong 64 from here.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,131 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    64

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

  • coinbuf
    coinbuf Posts: 12,567 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Ppp said:
    Do you think this is an MS65?

    No, from these photos my grade would be UNC details. I do not like the white haze areas on both the obv and rev.

    My Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • WinLoseWin
    WinLoseWin Posts: 1,912 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    From the photos, which could hide something, it looks to be anywhere from a 64 to 66.

    It might have a slight haze which could hide hairlines etc, but I'm going to go against the crowd and guess in a MS-66 slab.

    "To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have no problem with that coin as a full gem. Frosty white surfaces, a few abrasions, maybe more visible than with other Morgan dollars due to the frost.

  • Rampage
    Rampage Posts: 9,684 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Based on the photography, I would grade it as an MS64.

  • Typekat
    Typekat Posts: 729 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    64 shot 65

    30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!

  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,814 ✭✭✭✭✭
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  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 12, 2026 10:17PM
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    I like its nice luster, good strike appearance. But no way a 65.

    However my grade =
    Nice MS 63. Just don’t see it as 64. Too many hits, marks. As far as low end 64 leave that to TPG.

    Hits , scraped rt obv field,

    Pluses: Nice super luster, strike.

    Pricing - perhaps average between 63 and 64 CDN CPG.

    My assistant says she would mark it up ms63 bid x 1.4 (sell).

    However:
    Hits on cheek, reverse scrape lt obverse. Hits reverse primary focal areas. Is that an x on eagles breast? Looks like 3 lt scratches reverse lt of eagle. Bottom of eagles neck looks like scrape or sm scratch. Then above eagles neck faint but looks graffiti where somebody trying write phone#. Too many problems with it to be above 63.

    Investor
  • metalmeister
    metalmeister Posts: 4,633 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Close, but field abrasion pushes it back to 64?

    email: ccacollectibles@yahoo.com

    100% Positive BST transactions
  • ShaunBC5
    ShaunBC5 Posts: 1,974 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    First thought was 64, but it might have been the way you asked the question. If it’s in a 65 holder it’s probably Ok with me. The mark in front of the nose is tough for me to interpret.

  • hummingbird_coins
    hummingbird_coins Posts: 1,671 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    65

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

  • PapiNE
    PapiNE Posts: 478 ✭✭✭✭
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    65 but I want a better look at the cheek/chin area.

    USAF veteran 1984-2005

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,131 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Cougar1978 said:
    I like its nice luster, good strike appearance.

    However my grade =
    Nice MS 63. Just don’t see it as 64. Too many hits, marks.

    Hits , scraped rt obv field,

    Pluses: Nice super luster, strike.

    Pricing - perhaps average between 63 and 64 CDN CPG.

    My assistant says she would mark it up ms63 bid x 1.4 (sell).

    However:
    Hits on cheek, reverse scrape lt obverse. Hits reverse primary focal areas. Is that an x on eagles breast? Looks like 3 lt scratches reverse lt of eagle. Bottom of eagles neck looks like scrape or sm scratch. Then above eagles neck faint but looks graffiti where somebody trying write phone#

    I see you changed your mind, after initially posting your opinion of MS62 or possibly 63. Still, I recommend you take a grading course.

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

  • tradedollarnut
    tradedollarnut Posts: 20,754 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    When I first looked at it, I immediately thought 65. Then I looked again and saw all the field marks to the right of the Eagle, which in my opinion limited to 64 at the best and perhaps even lower.

  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,922 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Cougar1978 said:
    I like its nice luster, good strike appearance.

    However my grade =
    Nice MS 63. Just don’t see it as 64. Too many hits, marks.

    Hits , scraped rt obv field,

    Pluses: Nice super luster, strike.

    Pricing - perhaps average between 63 and 64 CDN CPG.

    My assistant says she would mark it up ms63 bid x 1.4 (sell).

    However:
    Hits on cheek, reverse scrape lt obverse. Hits reverse primary focal areas. Is that an x on eagles breast? Looks like 3 lt scratches reverse lt of eagle. Bottom of eagles neck looks like scrape or sm scratch. Then above eagles neck faint but looks graffiti where somebody trying write phone#

    With your observations of and "X on the Eagle's breast" and "scratches on the reverse" along with "bottom of eagle's neck looks like a scrape" plus "faint appearance of graffiti where somebody was trying to write a phone number" how on God's green earth could you then conclude "Nice MS63" "Pricing- average MS63 and MS64 bid"?

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 12, 2026 8:04PM
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    So what is your grading opinion on it lol?

    Investor
  • BigAl
    BigAl Posts: 1,279 ✭✭✭
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    @PapiNE said:
    65 but I want a better look at the cheek/chin area.

    .
    .
    Agree

  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,922 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Cougar1978 said:
    So what is your grading opinion on it lol?

    A nice MS63 with a shot at MS64.

  • csdot
    csdot Posts: 737 ✭✭✭✭
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  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 12, 2026 10:37PM
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    I took the ANA grading course years ago (have a certificate of completion and a grading class in Cali taught by JP Martin before that. I also have strong skills in currency grading.

    My opinions on grading (which is subjective) - I have likes and dislikes. Hairlines, major marks in primary focal areas, black spots, unattractive tarnish (impact of atmosphere) can have negative impact on grade. Grading is subjective. Remember no free rides in Numismatics.

    Investor
  • Ppp
    Ppp Posts: 611 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thank you for all the comments and guesses.

    My first thought was ms64 but the dealer I purchased this from said minimum ms65 and that’s why I asked in the title of this post “ms65?”. Regardless, I bought it for ms64 bid which I thought was fair being in an icg holder.

  • coastaljerseyguy
    coastaljerseyguy Posts: 2,127 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    You should have also included 'what do we think ICG graded', lol. Nice coin, if you paid 64 money you did ok as it is all white and nice strike.

  • P0CKETCHANGE
    P0CKETCHANGE Posts: 3,722 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Ppp said:
    Thank you for all the comments and guesses.

    My first thought was ms64 but the dealer I purchased this from said minimum ms65 and that’s why I asked in the title of this post “ms65?”. Regardless, I bought it for ms64 bid which I thought was fair being in an icg holder.

    If the dealer really thought it was a “minimum ms65”, he wouldn’t have sold it for 64 bid. I think you bought it right.

    Nothing is as expensive as free money.

  • messydesk
    messydesk Posts: 20,814 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Ppp said:
    Thank you for all the comments and guesses.

    My first thought was ms64 but the dealer I purchased this from said minimum ms65 and that’s why I asked in the title of this post “ms65?”. Regardless, I bought it for ms64 bid which I thought was fair being in an icg holder.

    Was it in the holder when you bought it? Sounds like at the end of the day both you and the seller also thought it was a 64. If it was raw and you sent it to ICG, did your opinion of the coin or ICG change when they called it 66?

  • Ppp
    Ppp Posts: 611 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Messydesk: Yes, it was in the ICG holder when I bought it.
    He bought this coin recently where he was positive at ms64 pricing, plus he knew I wouldnt have paid anymore than that because I have a tendency to back off one to two grades for coins in icg holders. So for him sell it quick make a few dollars vs how long would he have to hold it to make a few dollars more.

  • ChrisH821
    ChrisH821 Posts: 7,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Good deal at 64 bid.

    Collector, occasional seller

  • coinkat
    coinkat Posts: 24,542 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Looks attractive. While 66 is optimistic, the reverse seems to be just rough enough so I would need to take a good look to determine if the reverse drags the coin to 64. The obverse seems to fall within the 65 spectrum. And I would like to see the surfaces in hand mainly because the images often do not reflect the actual look of the coin.

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

  • Morgan13
    Morgan13 Posts: 2,691 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice looking coin!
    Not to banged up and we'll balanced.

    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

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @coastaljerseyguy said:
    You should have also included 'what do we think ICG graded', lol. Nice coin, if you paid 64 money you did ok as it is all white and nice strike.

    Now try it out at PCGS or CACG see what they say.

    Investor
  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,131 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Cougar1978 said:

    @coastaljerseyguy said:
    You should have also included 'what do we think ICG graded', lol. Nice coin, if you paid 64 money you did ok as it is all white and nice strike.

    Now try it out at PCGS or CACG see what they say.

    That would likely be a waste of money.

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

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @MFeld said:

    @Cougar1978 said:

    @coastaljerseyguy said:
    You should have also included 'what do we think ICG graded', lol. Nice coin, if you paid 64 money you did ok as it is all white and nice strike.

    Now try it out at PCGS or CACG see what they say.

    That would likely be a waste of money.

    It's not his money.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,131 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jmlanzaf said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Cougar1978 said:

    @coastaljerseyguy said:
    You should have also included 'what do we think ICG graded', lol. Nice coin, if you paid 64 money you did ok as it is all white and nice strike.

    Now try it out at PCGS or CACG see what they say.

    That would likely be a waste of money.

    It's not his money.

    Before he edited his initial grade-guess post, he was at 62 or 63. Now, he suggests trying to cross the coin as a 66. I guess we should give him points for flexibility in his thinking.😉

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

  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,922 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 14, 2026 6:09PM
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    @Cougar1978 said:

    @coastaljerseyguy said:
    You should have also included 'what do we think ICG graded', lol. Nice coin, if you paid 64 money you did ok as it is all white and nice strike.

    Now try it out at PCGS or CACG see what they say.

    Why blow $100., give or take on an outcome that is likely going to be disappointing?

    Edited to add: I'd love to get your assistant Ronnie's take on all of this.

  • TwoSides2aCoin
    TwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,216 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @MFeld said:

    @Cougar1978 said:

    @coastaljerseyguy said:
    You should have also included 'what do we think ICG graded', lol. Nice coin, if you paid 64 money you did ok as it is all white and nice strike.

    Now try it out at PCGS or CACG see what they say.

    That would likely be a waste of money.

    Many think the trip to ICG was, too, except for the original submitter. Likely made bank. I’m not picking sides or anything. I like it as a common date filler. It would be handsome in any album, too. It should be sent to PCGS or cacg. After all, the truth should be clear to see. Or do you think it would be bagged ? In which case ……I know nothing. Except a lot of money gets spent trying to find it.

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,131 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @TwoSides2aCoin said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Cougar1978 said:

    @coastaljerseyguy said:
    You should have also included 'what do we think ICG graded', lol. Nice coin, if you paid 64 money you did ok as it is all white and nice strike.

    Now try it out at PCGS or CACG see what they say.

    That would likely be a waste of money.

    Many think the trip to ICG was, too, except for the original submitter. Likely made bank. I’m not picking sides or anything. I like it as a common date filler. It would be handsome in any album, too. It should be sent to PCGS or cacg. After all, the truth should be clear to see. Or do you think it would be bagged ? In which case ……I know nothing. Except a lot of money gets spent trying to find it.

    The coin supposedly traded for 64 money, so I doubt that the submitter “made bank”. And the submission fee to CACG or PCGS would almost certainly be a waste of money.

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

  • Acarroll
    Acarroll Posts: 242 ✭✭✭✭
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    @Cougar1978 said:
    I like its nice luster, good strike appearance. But no way a 65.

    However my grade =
    Nice MS 63. Just don’t see it as 64. Too many hits, marks. As far as low end 64 leave that to TPG.

    Hits , scraped rt obv field,

    Pluses: Nice super luster, strike.

    Pricing - perhaps average between 63 and 64 CDN CPG.

    My assistant says she would mark it up ms63 bid x 1.4 (sell).

    However:
    Hits on cheek, reverse scrape lt obverse. Hits reverse primary focal areas. Is that an x on eagles breast? Looks like 3 lt scratches reverse lt of eagle. Bottom of eagles neck looks like scrape or sm scratch. Then above eagles neck faint but looks graffiti where somebody trying write phone#. Too many problems with it to be above 63.

    I'd like to shop at your table at a show

  • metalmeister
    metalmeister Posts: 4,633 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    hahaha
    You got me. I thought you were in furring as to how our host would grade the Morgan.

    email: ccacollectibles@yahoo.com

    100% Positive BST transactions
  • Ppp
    Ppp Posts: 611 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    FYI: I have no intention of sending this coin in to PCGS or Ngc. The risk vs reward is not there in my opinion and I feel paying $100 for it was fair. I have given this dealer a lot of business and he made money turning this coin over quickly instead of waiting trying to get a higher price from someone else.

  • logger7
    logger7 Posts: 9,858 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 15, 2026 4:43AM
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    In this market someone might pay 65+ money for it. It is undipped, and there are plenty of gem graded PCGS and NGC coins with fewer marks but have a dipped look. I've had ICG send me a better replacement when a coin was overgraded in my opinion and that of another shop manager. Compare with other recent sales: https://tinyurl.com/3yvkz9vv

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 15, 2026 7:05PM
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    Really like it in its ICG holder. Already have close to a full box of ICG. Nice coins, like the way they stack.

    Investor
  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,131 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Cougar1978 said:
    Really like it in its ICG holder. Already have close to a full box of ICG.

    Then why did you post this?:
    @Cougar1978 said:
    » show previous quotes
    Now try it out at PCGS or CACG see what they

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

  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,922 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @MFeld said:

    @Cougar1978 said:
    Really like it in its ICG holder. Already have close to a full box of ICG.

    Then why did you post this?:
    @Cougar1978 said:
    » show previous quotes
    Now try it out at PCGS or CACG see what they

    Ahhh, Mark. You really want to go down that rabbit hole?

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @RedRocket said:

    @MFeld said:

    @Cougar1978 said:
    Really like it in its ICG holder. Already have close to a full box of ICG.

    Then why did you post this?:
    @Cougar1978 said:
    » show previous quotes
    Now try it out at PCGS or CACG see what they

    Ahhh, Mark. You really want to go down that rabbit hole?

    I never thought flexibility was his hallmark. But, dang, he's become Nadia Comaneci in this thread.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • RedRocket
    RedRocket Posts: 1,922 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    But Nadia is much more attractive in leotards.

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