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Newbie asking for a grade opinion. 1883-O Morgan

StriderTBStriderTB Posts: 26
in U.S. Coin Forum
I've only started collecting coins in the last few months, after inheriting a few Morgans and an 1866 2 cent. I'm very much a novice when it comes to coin grades, so I wanted to ask for opinions before I sent my first coin in for grading.

image

image

As you can tell, I'm also a novice at photographing coins. image

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

-Jim

Comments

  • DUIGUYDUIGUY Posts: 7,252 ✭✭✭
    Not bad pics for a novice! Nice looking Morgan.

    No break in luster 64/65
    Break in luster PQ58

    image
    “A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly."



    - Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
  • keepdachangekeepdachange Posts: 1,374
    I would guess MS65 from the pic. Good luck!
    "If you hit a midget on the head with a stick, he turns into 40 gold coins." - Patty Oswalt
  • bidaskbidask Posts: 14,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would guess from your picture MS 62.
    I manage money. I earn money. I save money .
    I give away money. I collect money.
    I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.




  • GoldenEyeNumismaticsGoldenEyeNumismatics Posts: 13,187 ✭✭✭
    Don't send it in. You'll waste your money. It's a cleaned slider--not the bright, unnatural appearance in the central reverse.
  • StriderTBStriderTB Posts: 26
    Here's two more shots.

    image

    image

    I also have one of those GSA slabbed Carson City Morgans, from 1884. The rest of my Morgans are very worn.

    Thanks for the insight, guys!
  • JohnpJohnp Posts: 336
    One day you have to share your photo tricks it looks great the coin, the single fine line around her eyes will for me but it a MS63 nice even luster over the coin and even on both sides. Very nice coin
    image
  • ElKevvoElKevvo Posts: 4,130 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hmmm...O Mint Morgans typically have a weaker strike especially in the hair around the ears and this one shows that (based on the second set of photos). Also the breast feathers on the reverse are lacking and it looks like the reverse has some rub or has been cleaned a bit.

    So my guess would be 1) If not cleaned or rubbed MS64 due to the weak strike limiting the grade a bit along with the hits in the field to the left of the eagle or 2) BB'ed for cleaning.

    Nice coin though! All Morgans are IMO image

    K

    edited 'cause the second set of photos showed up while I was typing...same conclusion though!
    ANA LM
  • cheezhedcheezhed Posts: 5,948 ✭✭✭✭✭
    AU58 cleaned
    Many happy BST transactions
  • StriderTBStriderTB Posts: 26


    << <i>One day you have to share your photo tricks it looks great the coin, the single fine line around her eyes will for me but it a MS63 nice even luster over the coin and even on both sides. Very nice coin >>



    I have a Macro setting on my fairly cheap camera. Makes a difference when you get in really close. image

    Here's my 1921 S
    image

    image

    And here's my GSA slabbed CC. Tough to get shots of with the reflection.

    image

    image
  • DennisHDennisH Posts: 14,009 ✭✭✭✭✭
    MS63 or less.
    When in doubt, don't.
  • cheezhedcheezhed Posts: 5,948 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The GSA is a keeper.
    Many happy BST transactions
  • lcoopielcoopie Posts: 8,873 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I would try to learn yourself about grading
    especially spotting cleaned coins which will not grade
    before sending them in,
    or
    you will waste $ like many here have.

    the first 2 probably don't warrant the trip in, IMO
    LCoopie = Les
  • StriderTBStriderTB Posts: 26
    What are the telltale signs of a cleaned coin? Is it just too bright for its age, or are there marks to look for?
  • DoubleEagle59DoubleEagle59 Posts: 8,371 ✭✭✭✭✭
    ms62
    "Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)

    "“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)

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  • BlindedByEgoBlindedByEgo Posts: 10,754 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>What are the telltale signs of a cleaned coin? Is it just too bright for its age, or are there marks to look for? >>



    For one thing, the 83-O Morgan has too much reflectivity on the eagle's breast (which also exhibits wear), and there are other points on the coin that indicate outright polishing. When you see brightly polished looking areas in the open fields (say in the area central to the eagles body on the reverse) which fade to more subdued reflectivity near the devices, that's a good indication of cleaning. It's where whatever was used to shine the coin couldn't effectively reach.

    You can also turn the coin under a strong light - at oblique angles you will see hairline scratches in and around the polished areas. Theis would be a result of abrasive wiping of the delicate coin surfaces. Sometimes a high-speed dremel type tool will be used for buffing, with an attempt to simulate mint "cartwheel" or luster. This is called "whizzing" but is really just another form of surface cleaning and polishing.

    Hope that helps.

    Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1

  • tightbudgettightbudget Posts: 7,299 ✭✭✭
    Would not send any of the raw Morgans in cause they look cleaned. Also, I would have that GSA holdered at NGC because the coin is more desirable in a GSA holder.
  • clarkbar04clarkbar04 Posts: 4,976 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The 1883 looks a bit worked on, as others have said.

    The 21-S just looks like a little bit of pocket friction, au-58

    That cc is sweet looking, 63 easy.
    MS66 taste on an MS63 budget.
  • kevinstangkevinstang Posts: 1,520 ✭✭✭
    While others have debated if its cleaned,MS63 etc... or not, my question is why? A weakly struck 83-O is one of the most common Morgans out there, buy one in a slab already and save some money or enjoy the one you have for what it is.... It's my understanding that bags of the 83-O came from the Gov't holdings. Just go to your next local coin show and look through the dealer stock, better yet ask them if they have any 83-O that are nice, your likely to see a smile on their face image . I've pulled lots of coins similar to your 21 from dealers junk silver dollar lot for just above melt. The CC looks nice.
  • coinnuttiuscoinnuttius Posts: 547
    Sorry, looks like the coin does not have "original" surfaces. The shiny spots on the breast, left of wind and right of wing imply that. Unless you're really experienced buying raw coins is a loosing proposition. For common date coins... just buy them slabbed.
    Coinborg: Your distinctive coins will be added to my collection.
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  • UtahCoinUtahCoin Posts: 5,366 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>AU58 cleaned >>



    I second this opinion
    I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector.
    Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
  • DorkGirlDorkGirl Posts: 9,994 ✭✭✭
    Your 21 S looks like it has a D on the reverse........image
    Becky
  • lasvegasteddylasvegasteddy Posts: 10,408 ✭✭✭
    newbie??????

    you go farther back then me
    everything in life is but merely on loan to us by our appreciation....lose your appreciation and see


  • julie43julie43 Posts: 261


    << <i>Would not send any of the raw Morgans in cause they look cleaned. Also, I would have that GSA holdered at NGC because the coin is more desirable in a GSA holder. >>

    image
  • StriderTBStriderTB Posts: 26


    << <i>newbie??????

    you go farther back then me >>



    image

    I usually lurk in the sports collectibles forums.

    Thanks for all of your help, guys! I didn't buy any of the coins I have except for the 1921, which only set me back $12. The rest were given to me. I've always been interested in older coins, and since I'm weaning myself off of hockey cards, I'm moving forward with coins.

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