I picked the Morgan up a couple months ago and posted pics of it that were taken from my phone so they weren't great quality. Responses were that it is an AU coin. I'm not a Morgan collector so I can't really tell. I just got a now camera recently that can take pretty nice macro shots, so I took some pics of the Obv and Rev of the same Morgan and was hoping I could get more opinions on whether its AU or UNC. Thanks in advance. Also I was just going through my raw Franklins, comparing my only slabbed one to them. The slabbed Franklin I have is in an NGC MS65FBL slab. Just wanted to get some opinions on the grade and whether it would meet NGC's FBL standards. IMO it is a FBL coin. Again, Thanks in advance for any responses. Also, from the pictures the Franklin looks pretty flat, it is however nice and shiny and has good luster, it's just not apparent in the pictures I took. Here they are:
The 53-D will be FBLed, no doubt about it. Looks like a better than average 65 with a very good strike.
By PCGS, probably. By NGC? Doubtful, imo. PCGS requires full lines in the bottom band to receive the FBL designation. NGC requires full bands in BOTH top and bottom bands. I believe the circled area will likely keep it out of an NGC FBL holder. While both services will allow slight incompleteness to either side of the crack, I believe I recall reading that NGC's standard was 1/64th of an inch. That area appears larger than that, and in general looks to my eye to be the sort of coin one finds in a PCGS FBL holder rather than NGC. Just my opinion, of course.
G, that's the crack that's in the Liberty Bell and was incorporated in the reverse design. However, that divot to the right of where you circled, in the bottom set of lines, will keep it from an FBL from either PCGS or NGC, IMO. It is; however, a nice looking Franklin, and could hit 64.
I'm referring to the two middle lines not making it TO the crack, as you'll see in the latter part of my post.
Well that's interesting, I had no idea what the parameters both PCGS and NGC look for to designate a FBL coin. And on the side note, slap some beautiful toning and Jason absolutely drools all over these things.
I can see the weakness to the left of the crack, however the size of the weakness shouldn't prevent NGC from giving it the FBL designation.
You may be right, of course. It looks to me to be larger than 1/64th, and larger than I think I typically see in an NGC holder. Guess we'll find out if/when it's submitted to NGC, otherwise a moot point. :thumb:
I've never submitted a coin to either PCGS or NGC. How would I go about doing that, and would it even be worth it for the Franklin?
Depends. As jcak says..if you're not selling it, no reason to imo...unless you're just THAT curious to see if it makes FBL and/or 65. If you're selling it, then you're going to have to ask yourself if it's worth the risk. The difference between a slabbed 64 and 65 53-D Franklin is fairly significant...probably going to be a $100 difference in sale price or so. The 64 would probably barely pay the grading fee. The FBL isn't likely to make a HUGE difference to a 64 either. It'll bring a premium, but probably not enough to make you jump for joy. The ideal, of course...a 65 or better with FBL...will buy you and several friends quite a few dinners..or one nice one. Should you send it? Up to you. Do YOU think it's a 65 or better? As for how, talk to a local dealer that's a member, ask if they'll let you piggyback on their next submission...or go join PCGS
I spent a little bit of time comparing it to the slabbed 65fbl I have and it was tough for me to tell since I don't have a slabbed 64 to compare to as well. I'm not planning on selling it, nor am I curious enough so I won't be getting it graded.
I believe this is a wise choice. While a fine collectible coin as-is, I doubt it would come back at the level you will need it to. Spend the money you save on something else to enjoy.
