The "I Must Be Dreaming" Morgan

On a whim, in between errands yesterday I stopped at a pawn shop whose practice with regard to Morgans, is that if they're slabbed and graded, out comes the greysheet and they're marked accordingly. But there's a much more lackadasical approach there as to raw Morgans. VF (mostly) or AU/BU, they're placed into a velvet tray in the case and priced on a take your pick, $5 (more or less) over melt basis. I think they know and care enough not to do that with any CC's, but that's about it for culling. And it just so happened that a half dozen examples had just gotten put out. Three weren't anything to write home about. The fourth was a BU 1921-S with some edge toning on both sides, and a much better than average strike. No huge deal but a nice find at the price. The fifth was a slider 1890-S, also with a bit of obverse edge toning. Obviously I bought both of these, but mostly to conceal my excitement over the sixth, pictured here. A very, very nice proof-like 1880 Philly with minimal bag marks (MS 65, maybe even a 66?) and quite good cameo contrast. Strike is a bit incomplete over the ear, and I wouldn't say it's DMPL or ultra cameo, but I've no reason to be displeased with it. It's prettier than these photos make it out to be, but the flat lighting lets you see what flaws there are better. I've never sent off a coin to be graded, but this just might be the first.

 

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Nice.

It is people like you that make me want to buy raw coins again... Just when the guys here convinced me not to ;-)

 

I don't think it will grade 65, and it is a toss-up if it will make 64. There are too many marks on her face to justify a 65.

Chris

 

There are some tiny black spots on the face that don't show up on the photo. At least that sssures me it hasn't been dipped recently. But as to marks, there are virtually none.

 

For whatever reason, my computer decided to post this before I was done with the poll, and I don't see how to edit it. Maybe one of the moderators would be kind enough to add MS-65 to the choices?

 

got cha.

 

"You must be dreaming" indeed to hope for a 66.

 

Not a good idea to take the pic with that blue background. Might reflect on surface of coin. Blue-ish areas on coin might be indicative for cleaning.

 

I agree. But, it's a very nice looking coin and if you only paid about $5 over melt I think you did great. It's not a 65...but it's a nice coin.

 

I think those bluish areas are a reflection of the shirt I was wearing. It's a white coin for sure, and really attractive, better as I said, than the photos indicate. Perhaps I'll take some more shots later today.

 

Yes, I think it was a good buy for that price, and I don't think it has been improperly cleaned.

Chris

 

at 5 over melt, you better to buying every morgan/peace that they have!! People have been asking 25+ in my area!

 

Virtually none? I count 5 on her face, alone! That's enough to possibly keep it from 64 and definitely keep it from 65.

Chris

 

Huh? Please explain.

Chris

 

Yeah, there are several marks on the face. There is one on each lip, one on the nose, a big on under the chin, one under the eye...and others. There are definitely some dings on this coin. Again, it is a very nice coin. But it's not a 65.

 

I hadn't noticed those lip dings for sure, you're absolutely correct in pointing them out. I guess I was dazzled by how clean the cheek area is, where you often see scuffing and marks, especially obvious if it's a cameo. In this close-up of the face, you can also make out the numerous tiny black spots I mentioned previously.

 

I'm not sure what the blacks spots are. They could be toning remnants. If this coin has been stored in a 2x2 for a long time and some of the cardboard dust from the 2x2 sat on the surface of the coin...those tiny areas could tone.

The bulk cheek is clean...it's a nice looking coin.

 

A couple of final photos - as I said earlier, not an ultra cameo, devices are frosty relative to the field but not deeply so, as they do exhibit some reflectivity. If it's not quite as good as my first impression of it was, it's still way too good to have been banished to a "bullion" bargain bin.

 

I agree with the others--- 66 is dreamland. It would have been a 65, but a few too many marks. I will go with 64. Nice reflectivity, but does not look PL. Does not look cleaned to me-- don't see abrasion marks.

 

I think it could get a 64. BTW, cameo or ultra cameo are only designations for proofs. It might get a PL.

I think you got a great coin at a great price. Congrats.