Morgan 1878-P...My first of many Morgans!

No matter what it's worth, this is my favorite coin. The kids will probably get this in 50 years.

Morgan 1878-P 7TF
There is a flaw on the 4th star (right) of the obverse. I think that is one of the die flaws, but I have no idea which "number".
Since I'm new, I am asking for some opinions on it's plausible grade and whether or not I should have it graded. Thanks in advance!

 

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I am not good at VF and XF grading, but I'm going with XF45

EDIT: Decided to use PCGS photograde (if you don't know what it is, here's the link. http://www.pcgs.com/photograde/#)

New grade: AU53-55

 

1878-P 7TF PAF - Parallel Arrow Feather aka Reverse of an 1878.

PCGS Price guide for AU 55 is ~$61.
I don't see luster on her. On her hat, it looks like some wear. Are you using axis lighting techniques to photograph your coins?

 

I didn't take the 1st pics. Those came from the listing. Maybe these will help on the lustre issue. The pics, unfortunately, do not do it justice, but it has a satin-like shine.
To give you an idea, this was taken in a low light setting on a WHITE cloth. Anything brighter blinded the camera.




After staring at the the PCGS Photo Grade App on my iPad for hours beside this coin, I can confidently state that the reeding and high points are no where near as worn as the PCGS 55 and has fewer scratches than the PCGS 60. I'm not saying it's a 60+. Just stating my observations.

 

try axis lighting techniques. Abset a professional set up, get a copy stand and use the MACRO setting on your camera. It's the "flower" icon.

http://www.sigma-2.com/camerajim/cjgcoins.htm

Enjoy!

 

A lot of contact marks on both sides, AU at best.

 

Do you mean axial lighting?

Chris

 

i agree

 

Has the coin been cleaned? It looks like it by in god we trust, Either way its a beautiful coin

 

Ok....one more set of pics. You can see the detail on the 4th right star if you enlarge the pic.

It has not been cleaned....and thank you! I am quite proud of the deal I got on it. Gotta love eBay!



Thanks to all for amusing my hubby on his b-day. He has gotten a kick out of seeing me go OCD over these pics. :too-funny:

 

1878 was my first morgan too

 

Well, no wonder. They are beautiful coins.

 

Very nice! I'd say AU50-AU53.

 

My first Morgan was a 1878 ALSO!!!! ...Carson City (CC) though, Haha.

 

Lucky.......I'm looking at a CC right now!:hail:

Here's the problem....
The dealer I bought this from listed it as an MS+. Those who have seen it in person have stated MS 65-67. Sooooo.....

Since there has been such a WIDE range of amateur appraisals both on here and in person (AU53-MS67), should I have it professionally graded?

Thanks in advance!

 

Well, even though I'm grading by pics, that is NOT anything above 63

 

If it comes back ANACS MS-63, I'll eat a Whitman coin folder (minus the coins).

Here's a Morgan graded MS-68 and here's one graded MS-67.


Was your coin cleaned at one time?? Something doesn't sit right with me looking at the fields.

 

If people say 67, they can't overgrade by 8 points (unless they've never graded coins)

 

I'm gonna say MS62-63. The TPG's from what I've seen are very liberal at grading Morgans.

 

You may not have cleaned it, but someone did before you got it. Note the dirt that has accumulated between the denticles and around some of the stars, letters and date. These are generally protected areas where cleaning cannot remove all of the dirt.

I can't tell from your photo, even after enlarging it, but is the point at 8:00 o'clock of the 4th star on the right broken? This is a common irregularity for many 1878-P Morgans, and is generally used as a diagnostic for attribution.

Chris