1883 GSA Morgan Low Grade MS?

I know very little about grading Morgans. I inherited this GSA Morgan from my grandfather a few years ago and have had it tucked away under all my other coins I actively collect. I decided to drag it out and inspect it, and noticed how "bad" the obverse looks. Lots of bag marks and scuffs everywhere, but the reverse looks great and even has a hint of cameo. My question is, is lower grade GSA Morgans like mine common? I haven't seen a lot of GSA's, but the few I have seen haven't been this bad either. Would it get maybe an MS61 grade?

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Hi there! Welcome to the world of Morgan collecting. Your coin is a common date (for Carson City mintage) Morgan. I wouldn't say it looks worse than most GSA coins--it is average for the way most of them look. Since they were in a mint bag for years, making contact with each other before the GSA slabbed them in their mass sale, the majority of them are between MS 62 and MS 64. Yours is in that ballpark---it is a nice coin from your photograph--which isn't all that clear. I would say it is average GSA uncirculated--around MS 63 IMHO.

 

Thanks for your answer. Just what I was looking for! Good to know mine isn't a junk GSA.

 

I agree , it looks as good as mt '83 and about in the middle of the 4 1884-CC s I had . Enjoy it it's a nice coin .

 

IMO too much "noise" on the cheek.
I'd say either MS-61 or -62 (more likely a -62).

 

Could be , but pictures have a way of hiding things or accenting things .

 

Very true - in this case it almost looks like it was taken at a slight angle rather than directly head on. I would put it in the 63 range, but if the chatter is really there like the picture then I would say 63. Nice coin either way.

 

It was taken at an angle to show the scratches. When I tried to take it straight on, it didn't show up in the light I had. I only have my phone and a window for light. Sorry for the poor pic. I thought it showed it pretty well.

 

Here's the best pic I could take.

 

Morgan's usually graded upon the face and the field in front of the face both "hot" spots for grading. I'll say 62, but that being with the reverse holding it from a 61, still a very nice coin.

 

It is a garden variety MS 63 GSA Morgan. I have seen hundreds just like it.