Based on what you provided, yes. FYI, it's a NOCK. A better example is shown here. http://www.vamworld.com/Long Nocks
The coin's surfaces are far too deteriorated for a "straight grade;" the technical merit is that of a mid-Fine example. Determining the variety from such small images - especially for an 1878-S Long Nock, whose differences are minor - is very difficult. Only a couple of possibilities are eliminated from the available information.
Yes, it is close, but no cigar for PL. I agree, solid in grade, with the + very viable. The extreme brightness and contrast of the coin made it very hard to photograph, as SuperDave suggested above. Morgans are big to begin with. Getting a good light on it tends to accentuate contrast--the blacks look really cameo, even if they aren't. The frost can come off as strike issues, when they aren't there. So, I agree--a hard coin to photograph. Had it been older, it probably would have made the grade for PL, but it is definitely borderline NOT prooflike by today's tougher standards. In my experiences, NGC is very tough on PL designations today--sometimes, given the individual grader, tougher than PCGS at times. Your coin is beautiful, Cascade. Great combination of a crystal clear, almost mark free obverse with that champagne tone on the reverse makes for a totally stunning coin.
Don't take me wrong - any 1878-S Long Nock (the very first Morgans struck in San Francisco) is a rare and desirable bird. The overwhelming majority of them are well-circulated. Only one I've ever owned looked just like yours (until a previous owner had to know):
Thanks and you're gonna hate what I paid; $2-something... Straight, blast white no bean no plus, 66 money!
Understood. This was picked up at a flea market for a very nominal price so, no great loss. Was looking to identify and price for my inventory (insurance purposes).
This is a bit optimistic, but call it $75 for replacement purposes. A straight-up knowledgeable Morgan variety enthusiast wouldn't give you $75 for that coin, but then again they'd already have one. Do you have any way of obtaining higher-resolution detail images of certain areas on the coin? Some of the Long Nock reverses are in more demand than others.
Fair enough. I appreciate the time. 75 is what I'll log it at. Just wanted some idea to pass on in case I croak soon and as I said, Morgans are tough (for me). Hadn't heard of that variety until several days ago when the inventory software made me pick a variety so, hence the curiosity. Thanks!
Haven't done much high-res imaging, have you? Get a dSLR and a decent lens, and learn for yourself if you don't want to believe me.