What would you grade this Morgan?

[Wihlborg]

I know that TomB has a similar thread active asking for opinions on two of his WLH’s, and I am not tiring to copycat his thread, but I would like some opinions on what you think this Morgan should grade. I have a valid reason for asking, but I rather not say what it is at this time. I will say that the coin is genuine and is in an NGC holder.

 

 

Thanks

 

John

[TomB]

That's pretty good, John! I think the first "grade this coin" thread I ever saw on the boards was by Tonelover back in 2000 at PCGS, he has us both beat.

 

When I saw what you wrote, I was hoping the coin would be a '93-S so it was delightful to actually see that it was. The coin you posted looks to have positive eye appeal and I would feel comfortable with it in an F12 holder. That's a big coin.

[Oldtrader3]

Certainly a rare coin! I would agree with Tom and grade it a F-12.

[gmarguli]

I'd call it a F15, but would not be surprised to learn it is in a VF20 slab since all the services way overgrade key date coins.

[Hoot]

Okay, I'm gonna go way out on a limb here and say this is an EF40 coin (assuming what appear to be scratches on the cheek are actually on the slab). Way too much detail for an F or VF piece. Superbly smooth fields, a solid unperturbed LIBERTY, great details in the hair and on the reverse wreath and eagle (although the breast is worn heavily as one would expect), and perfect rims. Overall a very fetching piece with even toning, especially for a '93-S. Most that I have seen have been in ANACS slabs, VF25 or less and looked like cra-p.

 

Hoot

[bigd5]

Looks like a fine+ coin, probably in a vf holder.

 

Are those hairlines or a scratched slab?

[DonHeath]

I'd count it as a 20. Even though the reverse is probably a technical 15, the obverse is nicer. Nice coin. It'll be fun to see how it holdered.

[thebeav]

I believe it'll be a VF-20. Lovely problem free surfaces.....Anxious to see the label on that slab....

Paul

[Wihlborg]

Guys,

 

The marks seen on the obverse of the coin are indeed hairlines, but they are very light, and look worse in the photo than they do on the coin in person.

 

John

[coinman1794]

It's VF20 to me. Very well rounded with decent detail (except the left wing) and no problems. The hairlines wouldn't hurt at all

[Wihlborg]

Thanks for your opinions everyone. The coin in question is mine. I bought it years ago in a NGC F-12 holder, and I still have the label. When I bought it, I thought it was a little nicer than a F-12, I was thinking F-15.

 

At the time I was putting a Morgan dollar set together in a dansco album, so I cracked it out and ‘carefully’ put it into the album with the rest of the collection, and there it sat unmolested for years. Any marks on the coin were there before I cracked it out. Well, as I said that was quite a while ago, and I have since lost interest in Morgan dollars so I decided to send the collection to NGC to be graded so I can sell it. This coin was in the first batch I sent in, and I just got them back.

 

I was very surprised to find that the coin was now in a VG-10 holder. Please, let me make it perfectly clear that I am not making this post to bash NGC. That was NOT my intent. I made this post because I cannot believe that this coin is not at least a F-12, and I wanted to know if others agreed or if they saw something that I am missing before I send it back in for a grade review.

 

Thanks

 

John

[gmarguli]

On a percentage basis, I'd say there are more misgraded circulated coins in slabs than mint state coins. The best graders usually dealt in high grade coins and their ability in grading circulated coins is less than stellar.

 

I'd crack this coin out and try submitting it again. If you don't get the desired grade, send it to ANACS. They are pretty good with circulated coins. I'd say better than NGC and PCGS, but they are worse on the mint state coins.

[EVillageProwler]

I'm no expert on grading low-grade circ Morgans, but my first thought was that this was a low VF coin. VG? Nahhhh...

 

Like GM said, re-submit it.

 

EVP

[Hoot]

The coin in question is mine. I bought it years ago in a NGC F-12 holder, and I still have the label. When I bought it, I thought it was a little nicer than a F-12, I was thinking F-15.

 

Glad I don't collect Morgans!

 

I think Greg's idea to send it to ANACS is the right way to go. I send any circulated material that I want graded right to ANACS and they do a superior job.

 

Hoot