Morgan Dollars Newbie Owner Here 0

[Fitzz]

I have posted a couple of times here and gotten great feedback alrteady.  But I have quite a stack of these Morgan dollars, and I have never sent one to be graded.  So this forum seems to be a great place to get some feedback on these coins.  I just recently learned how to crop the pictures so they would upload.  Now I am uploading a few more.

[Sandon]

   The 1886 Morgan dollar appears to be genuine. It is a very common date in all grades below MS 66 or so (Gem Uncirculated), and this one isn't worth the substantial cost of grading.  It would likely be returned in a holder labeled "Uncirculated Details--Scratched". It would cost you more than its retail value as a "net AU" of $35 or so to submit it.

   Just a glance at the date, which is the wrong shape for any 1892 Morgan dollar, tells me that the "1892-S" is an obvious counterfeit, likely of recent Chinese origin. It has many other characteristics that are just "wrong". The 1892-S, though relatively common as a worn coin, is quite expensive in any About Uncirculated or higher grade, so it is an obvious target for counterfeiters, some of whom create far more deceptive examples than this one.  I assume and hope that you didn't pay the tens of thousands of dollars a genuine uncirculated specimen would be worth! 

  Many collectible coins just aren't worth the expense of third-party grading and can be collected and enjoyed in albums or other appropriate holders.  To be worth submitting to a third-party grading service, a coin should be worth several hundred dollars or more, and you need the requisite knowledge to determine this. As a novice collector, the last thing that you should be thinking about is submitting coins to grading services.  To the contrary, your time and money would be much better spent learning the basics and then the finer points of U.S. coins and how to collect them.  Please refer to the following topics on this forum to find the print and online resources that will assist you in obtaining the necessary knowledge:

   You should also attend venues such as coin shows and coin club meetings where you can examine a variety of genuine and reasonably graded coins and speak with experienced dealers and collectors. If you are truly interested in becoming a collector, you should find these activities to be enjoyable.

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Sandon
added missing words

[RWB]

Sandon is right. Also, please post sharply focused photos. The ones in this and other posts are consistently blurred.

[Fitzz]

Thank you very much.  I was certainly wondering about the 1892-s coin.  It appears to be a Proof coin.  The devices on both sides appear to be etched or matte.  The diameter is 38.10 mm; but the weight is 26.82 gms.  I will certainly continue to read up on all of the coins I have.  And, no I didn't pay a lot for any of them.  I plan to post others, too.

[Jason Abshier]

On 4/17/2023 at 6:26 PM, Sandon said:

As a novice collector, the last thing that you should be thinking about is submitting coins to grading services.

I don’t know why newer collectors think they must get a coin graded … I mean there’s millions and millions of coins already out there that are already in holders and graded why waste the expenses shipping common coins to grading company when you can buy one already graded that been authenticated is a better investment for newer collectors. 

[powermad5000]

The 1892 S about punched me dead in the face as far as a counterfeit goes. I am even questioning the 1886 as the rim and denticles just don't look right to me. It could just be the photo but it looks out of round as well. Being this is the same OP who posted 4 Morgans the other day that were all counterfeit, I don't think he is off to a good start.

[Fitzz]

I just recently learned how to crop my pics so as to get them down to a size that will upload.  Any pointers on how to get them more focused would be appreciated.  I have quite a few more coins to upload.  Also, I agree that buying already graded coins makes good sense. I have done that, too.  But I don't have any questions about them.

[ldhair]

There are a few things that can cause focus problems.

Note how some parts of the coin are in focus and others are not. This tells you the camera is tilted a bit to the coin.

It also looks like you are getting a bit of camera shake.

Also try moving the camera a little further from the coin. 

I feel the 1892-S is questionable. 

[RWB]

Here is a genuine 1892-S silver dollar. Please compare it to the one in your post, above. (Photos courtesy HA.com) The internet has hundreds of photos of authentic coins, so try checking there first.

Everything on your "coin" is false. The date is obvious, and other parts are just as bad. If you bought the counterfeit get your money back and report the seller to the FBI or US Secret Service.

[EagleRJO]

On 4/17/2023 at 7:37 PM, Fitzz said:

Any pointers on how to get them more focused would be appreciated.

Rest your Arm on something , like a few stacked books, if you are using a phone camera and keep the lens about 4 to 6 inches above and square with the coin.

On 4/18/2023 at 11:58 AM, RWB said:

Here is a genuine 1892-S silver dollar. Please compare it to the one in your post, above. (Photos courtesy HA.com) The internet has hundreds of photos of authentic coins, so try checking there first.

NGC Coin Explorer and PCGS CoinFacts have photos of coins for comparison, with the latter having a link to a multitude of grades for each particular coin.

[EagleRJO]

On 4/18/2023 at 11:58 AM, RWB said:

The date is obvious ...

That was enough right there.  Almost cartoon like.

[Fitzz]

Thank you all for your expertise!  This certainly points me in the right direction.  I need more education in this area.