NGC 1881 morgan dollar. reverse is not straight with obverse. Fake? Error? Help

Hey guys & gals. I need some help. I got a new NGC coin today I purchsed online from a good dealer. There seems to be an error to this coin, I think. The coin is slabbed fairly level accoring to the obverse. When you look at the other side the eagle is running at an angle, unlike a normal morgan. I checked the coin on the NGC website & there were no images or comments, just the stats. Please let me know if this is an error or fake or what. I sther a way to tell if the case has been tampered? It looks Any insight? thanks

 

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Looks to me like a slight die rotation. NGC is a first tier grading service, so it couldn't be fake

 

Is there a chance it was tampered w/ afterwards? Or is that impossible? Is a die rotation common? Thanks so much for helping me out.

 

You can't really tamper with it when it's in the slab. A "slab" is another term for the plastic casing for the coin when it is certified. The slabs are designed so you can't break them open and put them back together. It is a bit strange that it isn't mentioned in the grading that it has a die rotation

 

It appears to be a Die Rotation , which actually makes it a Mint Error , which may provide you an opportunity to sell it for a slight premium above the actual numismatic value.

 

Show us a picture of the whole back of the slab. If it's 20 degrees off, it's not a big deal. If it's 160, then it's an error.

 

Don't misunderstand Cash Dude's reply. A die Rotation Error is a mint error , regardless of whether it's 5 degrees or 180 degrees . The more " Valuable " Errors and most sought after by " Error " collectors " reasonably are those with the more significant degrees of rotation .

 

thanks

Thanks for all of the assistance. Its is odd that NGC would not mention that in their description of this coin. When you send a coin in to get graded, do you have to specify an error you believe is there? Once again thanks so much to all the posts here, I like this coin much more now!

 

The Mint's acceptability tolerance for die rotation is 15 degrees or less, and the grading services go along with this. Your coin is rotated about 14 degrees. Most dealers would not pay a premium for this coin, and would likely be uninterested in anything less than 90 degrees. However, that doesn't mean there aren't some bidiots on eBay who wouldn't go for it.

Chris

 

No one is going to pay a premium for a 20% rotated die on a Morgan. And TC still hasn't told us if his is 20% or 160% rotated.

EDIT CPM posted while I was typing. Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure what the exact tolerance was.

 

When you submit a coin to NGC for grading, you have to check the box for "Mint Error" service and pay the $10 fee in addition to the tier charge. If you submitted a coin with a 30 degree rotation but chose not to pay for the "ME" service, it would not be considered by the TPG. Since the rotation of this coin does not exceed the Mint's tolerance for rotated dies, it would not be noted on the slab.

Chris

 

The pictures of this coin are taken w/ the slab upright evenly.. So it's not a big rotation, it more around 20% not 160%. The picsl ook just as they do in the slab. Thanks

 

It's about 14 degrees. I measured it with my handy die clash tool.

Chris

 

As I stated , it's not a major mint error and only worth a slight premium by those who collect such items. If your interested there are a few rotation error coins being offered in the upcoming Stacks/Bowers Sale . You will find that some coins , with even a 20 degree rotation , could be considered a major mint error.

 

Here is the die clash tool that was designed by Terry Forfa.

Chris

 

Thats quite a presumptous statement . Evidently you don't follow major auctions . While I'll agree , this particular issue and the supposed die rotation won't carry a huge premium, as I previously stated , it qualifies as a mint error .

 

Thanks to both if you for all of your help. Im a new to coin collecting & I appreciate you guys taking time to give me some experienced insight. Dave

 

To better assess the coin, it would be helpful to provide a photo of the entire reverse of the coin in the holder . It is true , that the grading companies , view die rotation's on " Modern Coins " and " Commemoratives " a bit differently as they are more consistent . So to calm your concern, no , it's not a fake, no the grading company did not make an " error " in not noting the die rotation . As far as I am concerned , it's a keeper. Congrats.

 

Here is a additional photo of the slab.

 

I don't know why others are asking for more photos. Hey, guys! Read my typewriter keys. It's rotated about 14 degrees.

Chris