MTuttle

Thank you all for your time on this.  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving...  

The only thing I do know on this coin is that is has been in a box since 1978 when my grandfather passed. So as far as counterfeit... unless there were the means to do so in the 70's I'm thinking no. 

Thank you all for helping me understand what a cleaned coin would look like - and where to see wear as far as circulation.  So much to learn.  

I appreciate the resources above.... I'll post again if I find something else of interest that I can borrower your expert eyes on.  

On 11/22/2023 at 3:52 PM, JKK said:

It might have been cleaned before that. It happens.

The kind of cleaning that appears possible here is abrasive, as in usually a wire brush. Look real close under magnification and see if you see lateral scratches all over it. They differ from circulation wear (of which this coin seems likely to have very little) in that circulation wear is random whereas wire brush cleaning is rotary (Dremel tool) or lateral (usually handheld brush). I can't say for sure from the pictures, but I'd give it a closer look.

If not cleaned, this might be in the mid-to-high AU range or even low MS. What looks like a rub spot above the ear can often be slight strike weakness on a Morgan. Look also on the eagle's breast, which is another high spot.

Thank you JKK, appreciate the extra time here.  I'll see if i can get it under better magnification and check for the lateral scratches. Great suggestion!  The pictures make the surface look "lumpy" (great technical term there). Where they appear very smooth under the limited magnification I have here. 

On 11/22/2023 at 3:35 PM, JKK said:

Looks like it was nicer before it had a cleaning. Almost certainly not worth sending in for grading, and I would take that "extra education" as dubious unless someone can actually point out a variety and show their work. That poster has been dishing out wishful thinking to unsuspecting newcomers for some weeks now, and creating false hope in novices is a very wrong thing to do.

Thank you - Do you have any "beginner" advice on how to tell if a coin has been cleaned? (Understanding that your eye has had years of training). This is part of group of coins that was passed to my mother (recently deceased) from her father.  I believe it has been in the box I found it in for 40+ years.  

On 11/22/2023 at 3:25 PM, dprince1138 said:

There may be a die variety and there are quite a few (a die variety is a minted coin with an abnormal or unusual die condition).

The coin is in very good condition overall, from the images, right off hand, I would give it a detail grade of AU, with the highest AU market value of about $60.  Again, there may be a die consideration, which would make a difference, much less could make it more collectable overall, and with that in mind, it may be worthwhile to submit it as there are numerous conditions.

https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/united-states/dollars/49/varieties/17264/

Thank you for your time and the extra education here - again much to learn. 

Thank you in advance. New to collecting and have much to learn. What would you rate this 1900 Morgan Dollar? and do you think it is worth my time to have it graded?  Photos taken with IPhone - I feel like the coin is richer looking in real life.  Has been stored in a case (the pics with the green).  Appreciate your time!