My Quest is Finished, 1883-S Morgan 0

[GBrad]

Just got this one in the mail today. It’s obviously raw but I took a small gamble and went ahead and got it off EBay. This completes my 1883 Morgan year set, first Silver Dollar set I’ve ever compiled. Not really a big deal in the grand scheme but I do feel a sense of accomplishment having done this especially when I thought the San Fran would never happen. 
Please give me your professional opinions of a grade on this Morgan.

The pics are pretty much a good representation of this coin. It does still have luster and minimal chatter. Thanks!

[124Spider]

It's a beautiful coin! 

I'm a professional, but not in a profession having anything to do with numismatics. 

My amateur guess:  Comparing it to my graded Morgans, it most closely resembles (both sides) an AU55 that I have.  But I cannot tell whether the apparent softness in the lower part of the hair is in the strike (meaning it's uncirculated), or from a tiny bit of wear.

Mark

Edited November 14, 2021 by 124Spider

[J P M]

Nice going Greg, the lighting makes it hard to see but it looks like a lot of small nicks and dings but the high points are still in good shape . I will give it a AU 58

[RWB]

Very low-end AU --- or a nice EF. Luster is compromised on both sides, so it has no chance of an uncirculated grade.

[VKurtB]

Brad, my good friend,

Look at the area around “In God We Trust”. The difference in reflectivity between the really close in areas and those farther out speaks to either wear or cleaning. In this case, it’s hard to say which. He way people grade today, it MIGHT make a low MS grade, but more likely a high AU. The whole range from 55-62 is in flux and a fairly hot mess lately.

On the plus side, the breast feathers are nice.

Edited November 14, 2021 by VKurtB

[GBrad]

@VKurtB  @RWB@124Spider @J P Mashoke.  Thank you all for your replies. I just now opened my computer and looked at the pics I posted earlier on this thread which I posted and did from my cell phone. Although the pics are semi-decent, but too dark and lifeless, I am not happy with them.  I should have waited until I got home, took some better pictures, viewed and posted them from my computer. This Morgan does still retain some original luster despite the my pictures but I would consider it to be uncirculated with coin in hand. It has some very light wear on the high spots but I am fairly certain it would grade in the mid to high AU range. The reverse that you spoke of Kurt does not appear to be cleaned (good observation).  I looked at this coin with the highest power triplet lens loupes I own, a 12x and a 20x (that you can see a hair on a gnat's arse...), and what I am seeing around IGWT and above that in STATES are extremely small flow lines that are causing that frosty look. I appreciate all of the responses. I am pretty pleased with this Morgan, especially being an S Mint which I never thought I'd be able to afford in even this decent of condition, and the best thing is is that I only gave $110 bucks for it. I have no intentions of submitting it so that is even a better deal to me.  Thanks all!

Edited November 14, 2021 by GBrad

[GBrad]

In ending, here are two more pics I just took showing a little bit of its luster even though small.  It is a beautiful coin to me and I am overly happy to have it.  Thanks guys!  

Edited November 14, 2021 by GBrad

[James Zyskowski]

Hey buddy that’s a very nice coin. High AU low MS who cares. You like it and it’s an S !   Congratulations. Peanut gallery is reminding me that I’m practicing grading so AU58 😉

[RWB]

The new photos confirm that the coin has been circulated, and in my opinion, is no longer a legitimate AU.

 

[OK...ok....by current TPG use it might be AU-55; but I don't accept that as a valid "AU" condition - it has historically been called EF and that is how I learned to grade coins from Frank Katen. My view is: there is only one "AU" grade - very slight abrasion on high points and/or very slight disturbance of luster.]

[James Zyskowski]

That’s an interesting point. VF XF just seems to low. Second pictures help but I think AU and it’s a nice coin 😉

[Coinbuf]

Whew, I'm glad that you posted those second photos, I was really conflicted by the first set as they made the coin look polished.       As you know the coin is a solid AU (not withstanding RWB's old school grading) AU58 details that would likely grade as AU55 or AU53 (on a bad day) due to the hits on the cheek and the amount of circulation wear that is showing in the fields.

Congrats on completing the set with a very nice looking example; so what is next? 

[RonnieR131]

AU55, but I'm never right, So, to my understanding, it's probably an XF45 or an ms63+. Nice completion, and good luck  on your next adventure!

[GBrad]

Thanks guys for all your comments and replies.  I appreciate it.  Not sure what's next @ronnie stein and @Coinbuf.  

[Hoghead515]

Congrats on completing your set my good friend. That is a lovely Morgan. Are you gonna try anogher year? Maybe 1882 or 1881?  Ive been thinking about trying an 1878 set for a long time now. 

[GBrad]

On 11/14/2021 at 12:15 PM, Hoghead515 said:

Congrats on completing your set my good friend. That is a lovely Morgan. Are you gonna try anogher year? Maybe 1882 or 1881?  Ive been thinking about trying an 1878 set for a long time now. 

Thank you Hog. On second thought, as I sat here and pondered....., I had an epiphany!!! I think I am going to start my new quest for this set- France 20 Francs Rooster Gold Coins 1901-1914!!  I think @Quintus Arrius would be very proud  (however, I know nothing about them but hey.... I didn't know anything about Morgans a few months ago either!!!)

Edited November 14, 2021 by GBrad

[GBrad]

Dream on Gregory.........🙄

[VKurtB]

On 11/14/2021 at 8:57 AM, RWB said:

that is how I learned to grade coins from Frank Katen

Good for you and your Frank Katen bromance, which means absolutely NOTHING any more to the real world. Sr. Francesco Giuseppe Cincinnati Catanzariti passed away 20 years ago, and the relevance of his teaching shortly thereafter, if not well before then. Most of us have evaded being stuck static in time, while you, CLEARLY, have not. Your choice. (Sheesh, historians.)

Edited November 14, 2021 by VKurtB

[RWB]

However we label it, it remains a very nice coin - one that any collector should be proud to own.