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getting back into coins again


It has been some time since i bought Gold or Silver (U.S) coins. Time to buy me a new Red Book.

I saw this auction last night on this Morgan Dollar and won it. Whats the grade (from the Morgan Experts)? Did i overpay?underpay?

Morgan Dollar

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    originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    Hey Carew. Well, I know you from the sports side of things, but in this instance you overpaid. Worth maybe 10-12 and it's a scrubbed piece. That said, better to make your "mistakes" relatively inexpensive - just like anything a bit more experience looking and you'll make better buys.
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    originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    Oh, and grade is XF-AU, cleaned. Below is a better example of what to look for in a true UNC coin:

    ebay decent MS63 example
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    sweetwillietsweetwilliet Posts: 2,316 ✭✭✭
    Welcome back. My opinion is that the coin is a polished AU. You probably overpaid a little, but it is a cheap lesson. I have lost a lot more than that on many coins. I'm sure others will chime in, buying raw coins on ebay can be risky.
    Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
    Will’sProoflikes
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    Carew29Carew29 Posts: 4,025 ✭✭

    I would assume this would follow under "re-colorerd" from the baseball side of grading? I know what cleaned coins look like but "scrubbed"?

    Wouldn't there be excessive scratches on the coin?
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    sweetwillietsweetwilliet Posts: 2,316 ✭✭✭
    Scrubbed, harshly cleaned coins will have a lot of hairlines. This coin looks like it was wiped down with a rag with some polish (just my opinion) which wouldn't leave the hairlines a harshly cleaned coin would.
    Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
    Will’sProoflikes
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    Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looking @ the scan I think it will go MS63 mybe 64 but that is just me. nice to have you on the board and back in coins. image


    Hoard the keys.
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    originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    Exactly carew - an undesirable "enhancement" that actually devalues a piece.

    Problem is, sometimes you can look at a scrubbed piece, and while some could have scratches, more often it's more subtle. Usually very bright and greatly hairlined, which you can't always tell on eBay anyway. The big giveaway is usually the color of the piece - look at the link I edited above for a good example of nice BU Morgan color, and compare to the auction you won.

    Like I said, it took me most of my "formative collecting years" to be able to tell the difference, and on a "very lightly" cleaned coin it can be very hard to tell. But look at a lot of pieces and you'll get the knack. image
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    originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    Type2, unfortunately the coin in question is further away from mint state than - well, I don't know what. But it isn't Mint State.
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    Carew29Carew29 Posts: 4,025 ✭✭

    I took a look at the PC Coins and the Morgans this guy is listing, none have or show any of that luster. I just pulled some out of my safe that i have had for some 30 years now. I should have looked at those first before buying!! What a difference!! Lesson learned.
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    originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,971 ✭✭✭✭
    No worries there. All the lessons I learned sucked at the time... but I'm glad I learned them in retrospect! Best of luck with whatever coins you decide to pursue.
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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    We have all learned lessons... .weell... those that stayed in the hobby anyway. Those 'lessons' have driven many away from coins. Too bad, but there are many grifters and pitfalls out there.... Cheers, RickO
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    Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I just dont buy from scan's looking @ the scan some will say is better then pic I'll stick to pic not scan's. image


    Hoard the keys.

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