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1879-O Morgan Silver Dollar Grade
ElishaCollectForever
Posts: 17 ✭
I Would like to get some opinions on this coin. In my opinion it’s a bit better than AU.
Thank you very much!
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Sorry I guess I went over the photo limit and the photos didn’t post the first time.
I am assuming that you meant to type _worse _than AU. You have a harshly cleaned coin that might grade AU details on a good day.
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Looks like xf details
I’d call it XF/AU details and I don’t like the surfaces. Definitely not a bit better than AU.
It wouldn't matter anyway in today's market.
“a bit better than AU” would be MS60 or better. Based on your opinion, mine is that you’re going to get in trouble buying coins, unless you get help from knowledgeable and honest collectors and/or dealers.
I think the coin would grade XF (possibly AU) details, harshly cleaned.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I'm in the camp of XF Details, harshly cleaned
IMO
Grade- XF45
Status- Cleaned
Yes, I am completely aware that it has been cleaned. (Though not by me) It has many tiny hairline scratches on it. I also did put it through acetone to get any impurities off of it. Yes I also do know that it is probably XF or AU, I just like 2nd opinions.
Please do not worry about my coin buying ability, I’ve been collecting since I was 12. I know how to tell the grades. My idea of a bit better than AU was that an an AU53 is better than a AU50. I must have made my wording confusing there.
I did not buy this coin, I got it from my great grandfather who is now deceased.
AU would be a gift.
XF 40
The reverse cart wheels very nicely. I know that it’s not MS in any way.
I see some comments here calling it "harshly cleaned". I see it is lightly to moderately cleaned.
To me "harshly cleaned" should mean that a Brillo pad, steel wool, or similar, was taken to it.
Overall, it is a decent coin with a general EF45 appearance.
There is not much difference in value between grades up to about AU55, lightly cleaned or not.
Not a coin that id run out and buy right away. Could use if for an album or something 🤔
Welcome to the US Coin forum.
Based solely on the images provided, the coin will likely not straight grade. Most probable outcome is EF details. Just some friendly advice. If Morgan Dollars is going to be your primary collecting focus, consider examining the surface quality so that you become familiar with determining original coins from those that have been enhanced and those that have been cleaned. And yes... there is a significant difference... Some enhanced coins are seen by many that make up the so-called market may see the enhancement as being within what is market acceptable. At certain grade levels, in my view, enhanced coins- even though are market acceptable- they are not my preference mainly because such coins often have a sterile and processed look with the natural appearance of the coin being stripped away. Cleaned coins create a larger and more negative issue as the surfaces have been impaired leaving hairlines and an unnatural appearance. Understanding the differences is a significant grading skill that needs to be developed by any serious collector.
Next, try to develop an appreciation for the dates within the series that are quality mint products and those that are just underwhelming. It is important to appreciate that an 1881-s in MS65 will look better than a 1891 or 1904. And that difference is attributable to the quality of the product. The 1879-s through 1882-s are among the best quality of the Morgan series whereas some of the flat struck dollars out of New Orleans and the 2 aforementioned Philly dates are problematic.
This is an interesting series to collect and you will be well served to do some research, reading and examining of coins from all of the US Mints to develop an appreciation that will formulate reasonable collecting expectations.
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It’s not a good coin, silver and that’s it. Get a better one.
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Coins like this are trading below $50.
>
There are some good pieces of advice in here, and I think a lot of them were focused on your new status (at least here) and what seemed a reasonable question.
But ... I can tell you, if you adhere to the mindset of "do not worry about my coin buying ability, I’ve been collecting since I was 12. I know how to tell the grades", you will hinder your ability to learn and get better at understanding good and bad coins and the nuances of surface quality, grading and understanding the overall market for quality coins.
The coin you presented will almost certainly not straight grade at PCGS of CACG, is of an EF Details level of preservation, has been moderately cleaned and shows as such, and in today's market, as has been suggested, is worth silver value.
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
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I do appreciate all the help and advice!
I’m just not a newbie though was all I was trying to convey. I’ve been on some other coin forums for several years is all. I’m not used to how people react on this site yet lol.
Thank you!
XF cleaned, perhaps harshly so in spots (looking at front edge of hair). Pretty much a "junk box" coin, but nothing wrong with keeping it for sentimental value.
As for how people react on this forum, when asked for an opinion about a coin, many people react by supplying that opinion. Stick around long enough and you'll learn whose opinions are worth listening to and whose were pulled from a very dark place. There's an ignore list you can populate with the latter.
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All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.
Elisha,
Looks played with but EF45 tops if straight graded.
Maybe send it in, just for kicks, or a learning experience.
There are countless learning opportunities that don’t require someone to throw away money in order to have such a coin graded.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Thank you for posting and welcome to the community. If you have been collecting for a few years, you might have other coins you can post. I wouldn't mind seeing them.
I appreciate that it was your Grandfather's.
Regardless of grade its your coin and if you like it, thats what matters.
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XF 40
Nice silver dollar
So you like the cleaning?
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
true, but small cost to learn, only suggesting as an option, lets see how this unfolds.
Thank you I appreciate it very much! Nice one!
You’re a very good sport.👍
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Thank you for the advice!
Thanks for the warm welcome! I do have quite a few other coins so I probably will post some more. It was my favorite in my collection solely because it was my first silver dollar I ever received. That coin was what got me into collecting.
For what it’s worth that is a better date/mm Morgan. The trick is to find one that you get into a higher grade where the value jumps.
I have thought of sending it in, but not because I thought I would get more value for it. I do want it to be slabbed, just never have had the time to do it, and I don’t always trust the mailing system.
Appreciate it very much! The pawn shop said the details were not marred noticeably in most areas and that it was a pretty coin. I wasn’t trying to sell that day though, I just brought it for fun to have another eye take a look. It does not have a very lustrous obverse unfortunately.
You are right there. The difference in price of a XF and an AU is $15 according to the latest Redbook. It’s not much obviously but it’s something.