This year I've slowed down the mission to get a nearly full Morgan set to let my wallet catch it's breath. I've about decided a 1893 S isn't in the cards unless I win a lottery that I don't even play. An ugly one is several thousand dollars. I added a few coins on the cheap that showed promise based on seller web photos, no attribution. I struck gold on 2 out of 3, the other one I'm not sure about. One is a 1886 P NGC MS64, VAM 1A1. The year and mint is a very common one, the VAM, not so much. I bought well. The coin I'm really happy about below is also a 1886 P, raw ungraded. It nearly qualifies for the topic," purchases under $50". It didn't miss by much. There was enough detail to take a flyer on it. It's definitely a VAM 1-C, 3+2 clashed reverse Top 50 and Wow listing. Will try to take photos of the reverse clashing, but the rub is, I don't even want to remove it from the mylar flip before shipping out for grading and attribution. The coin is several times over better looking in hand than the seller's photos, and I still haven't ordered a camera stand yet. The NGC graded 64 gets put to shame by the luster and lack of flaws on this one. I'll be very unhappy if it does not come back MS66. I'll try and get some high magnification photos of the clashes but can't get the lighting right without removing the coin from the plastic flip, and the flip creates lighting halos that completely ruin the view. I don't even want to handle it, much less potentially drop it on tile. Sellers photos, they look nothing like coin in hand. If not for the VAM, I'd swear it was a seller's shipping mistake. The photos really do not capture it's essence. Again, we're talking small potatoes but paying 30-40% of retail value is never a bad thing.
It would be easier on all if you would describe the position of the clash(s). Is it at 3 o'clock between the wing and wreath? The TPG's are very hard on common date coins like an '86 P. While you have a beautiful coin the chatter on Miss Lib's jaw, what appears to be a rub on her hair and uneven surface color would likely hold it back from MS 65 let alone MS66. I agree with the current label MS 64. JMO.
I could see the clash marks. Didn't know anything about it either. The main pickups are the triple Vee clash marks on the reverse 3 o'clock. It is a neat VAM. In the link below it says that these are are found on very early die stage PL coins. If that is the only bag marks or unstruck areas on the coin. Then I would say it is around a minimum of a 65.
The photo shown above is the raw 1886 P with the VAM 1-C attribution. It might even be the 3+3 variety, (which is still the same VAM) That's way above my pay grade to tell. Clash marks at 2:30 and then again at 2:45. Lighting bad because I'm not taking it out of the shiny coin flip to photograph. lol
There are 5 clashes on this one. Three inside the top leaf cluster, where they're supposed to be, and two inside the second one, due to rotated and misaligned dies. The two in the wrong place are what makes this one special. This variety is often seen in MS64.
There is one on fleabay right now, 66+ NGC, listed for $875. The clashing on it is insane. It's got your signature on it. https://www.ebay.com/itm/3260972031...27&cnvId=700003&recoId=326097203129&recoPos=1
Well I sent this raw coin (ABOVE) this week to PCGS for grade and attribution. I also sent a few 1886 Morgans to VSS for attribution. Two of the 4 came back winners. One is a 1886 MS64 NGC VAM 1A, line in 6, Top 100 Morgan. The other 86 is in a basement slab (SEE BELOW) that came back VAM 1C, Hot 50 and Wow Morgan. I'll likely have PCGS crossover at whatever grade they think is appropriate. Sellers photo of that one before being attributed.
Love cherry picking VAMs! I picked this 1886-o VAM 1a up today. Dealer had it priced steeply for an 1886-o, but not for the stunning multiple die clashes.
Nice looking coin and a clear clash. Like you I’m slowly building a set of Morgan’s. I have so many of them I nearly put together a complete set but I still have 6 left to obtain. I went with a low grade set so I could complete it. Just save your money and that 1893-S will be added to your set and yes, any grade is a killer on the wallet.
That's a very nice 86 O. Probably AU of some nature. Nice examples do not grow on trees in that year and mint mark. Word of advice, do not send to ANACS for grading, the slightest of hairlines will get details deserved or not. Send off to the other two for grading if that's your goal, and then have it sent to VSS for attribution after it's graded and slabbed. Voice of experience here.
Since I work for ANACS (as a show representative), I'll probably take my chances. Personally, if it has hairlines, I'd rather know than jump through hoops to avoid an accurate grade. My estimate is high EF40 with only about a 20% chance at AU 53 or better. And, if it does get AU53 Or AU55, I would expect a details designation.
I met one of your reps at the St Augustine, Fl show last spring. Super nice guy, he took my 50 coin submission for me. I know you guys don't grade. I had to listen to some knucklehead argue with him about a coin ANACS graded before I got to sit in with him. I've got his card around here somewhere. He was telling me about how painful and expensive his complete Morgan set cost him. I like the ANACs customer service but was sorely disappointed with my last submission. I just cracked out 3 ANACS coins that I had graded raw and sent to PCGS, I want no bias whatsoever.
Welp, just got my grades back from PCGS. There were a couple of home runs and a couple of strike outs. This one was a home run. Bought it for 50 bucks. It grades out at MS67, VAM 1C, 3+2 Hot 50 clash. I'll call this one a grand slam.
