buildercurt

Okay, you guys (& gals?) were very helpful with my junk damaged quarter so here's a couple more on which I'd appreciate opinions. Being the raw newbie that I admit to being, I'd like to see if my grading is in the ballpark.

I'm still working on lighting scenarios for my pics so I realize that your opinions will only be as good as the pics I provide but I think that these are at least passable representations of the coins. I also realize that it's almost impossible to grade a coin from a picture only. But, within these limitations I've selected two coins that are similar in grade and I'm asking you to be my teachers. I know the CC has much greater value than the O but I want to see if my eye is good enough to make the fine distinctions that are probably second nature to some of you. I'm calling the CC a 35 (because of the sharper detail on the legend) and the O a 30. Based on the pics what do you think....high, low or about right?

I had intended to slab the CC but I am seeing differing opinions about doing this. Seems to me that this is exactly the type of coin that ought to be slabbed. Your opinions are valued. Thanks again!
-Curt-

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CamaroDMD

The pics are hard to judge, but I think I'd go with VF-20 for both.

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The Truth About "O" Mint Morgan Dollars

kanga

Good eye.
I concur.

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the_man12

same

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buildercurt

Looks like I,ve got a lot to learn. It's the hair that tells the whole story with a Morgan I guess. I've also got to be more objective about my own coins too I think. The CC is still worth slabbing @ VF20 so I'll let you know how you did in a few weeks when I get it back from PCGS (if you're interested). I've got some gold & silver proofs to get done and I guess the CC will go with them. Thanks for your help once again!

mgChevelle

i'd call the O a 20 and the CC a 30

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Leadfoot

Nicely done, mgChevelle!

ED TAY

O a 25, and CC a 35, The "T" lines in the cotten balls are clear.

buildercurt

Thanks for the additional opinions! I hope you're right for obvious (greedy) reasons. The CC was a great catch for $10 a few years ago and it's time to show it the respect that it's due. I appreciate all of your opinions and attribute the diversity of opinions to my AG3 photographs. -C-

CamaroDMD

There is nothing wrong with sending in the CC to be slabbed. I use the ANA grading standards when I grade coins and I find they tend to be on the stricter side. The TPGs use their own standards which are a little bit different. I have also found that with Morgan's, the TPGs sometimes will give the CC coins a little grade bump. So, I could see this coin grading a little higher than a 20. But, I still feel that they are both VF20s.

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buildercurt

Roger that Camaro. I guess what I'm learning here is that grading is still very subjective or more art than science. All the more reason to get a really good coin slabbed so that one can have at least a somewhat objective starting point for arguing grade and therefore value. It's my understanding from just subscribing to PCGS that at least three or four "professionals", after close examination, have to agree on the the grade assigned so I'll certainly have to let that settle the question. Of course there's also my desire to permanently protect the coin and "freeze" it in it's current state which is the other reason I feel that slabbing it is the right thing to do. 2x2 mylars just don't seem adequate for that purpose. If I told you how all my coins were stored until very recently it would probably make your skin crawl so I'll save myself that embarrassment.
I guess I don't understand the propensity to bump the grade on Morgans. Other than the fact that they possess an inherent beauty and have become so popular (on TV etc) it seems that bumping the grade defeats the whole idea of grading?!? Beautiful they are, but no more so than a walking liberty or a St Gaudens.
The stated purpose of the post was to see if my budding grading efforts and skills were in the ballpark. What I think I learned is that they are but perhaps a little generous. I also learned that there really isn't an objective right or wrong answer and that like with all collectibles, the beauty and value is in the eye of the beholder. Thanks again for your help. -C-

CamaroDMD

I agree it does kind of defeat the purpose. What happens is, the TPGs tend at times to be a bit more lenient when it comes to grading key coins or popular coins in a series. I don't agree with it, but they do it at times. The CC coins are very popular for every date they were made. So, you sometimes get a "CC bump."

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The Truth About "O" Mint Morgan Dollars

buildercurt

You know, I think I'm seeing this "CC" phenomenon on this string. These coins are VERY similar in grade but the CC consistently gets a 10 bump when I'll swear that it couldn't be more than 5, if that. All opinions are welcome and appreciated because they are a great learning tool for me.

Leadfoot

VF 20 and VF 30 respectively.

bqcoins

Yeah, they both look like different VF specimens. Love that CC though.

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