Decided I'd get some more Morgan holes filled when I saw what the LCS had recently. I'm wasn't overly fond of the ICG slab so I was happy to free this one. They said it was a MS-65 (which I wholly disagree with) but I still probably overpaid slightly for this one. My 1902 (P) slot is now filled in! If not for the scratches, this might have actually had a chance at a 65. Alas, I'd guess around 63 or so, or even upgradeable. Regardless, I'm happy to have it in my album! I saw an Atocha 8 Reales there, too, but he was asking $1200. That was too much for me for this time. I didn't have enough money with me, and I didn't want to trade out some of my type coins for it. Maybe next time though!
Nice Morgan! 1902P is a tougher get in MS than a lot of people realize. I got lucky last summer and picked up one underpriced in a PCGS OGH MS 64 to fill that vacant slot. Every once in a while this blind hog finds an acorn.
For the 7/8? Yeah, I got it figured out. This one, too. I forget what it is right now though lol! I'll get my books back out shortly and see what I noted it as. I'll let the VAM out for the 7/8 at the grade reveal This one was already freed from the slab. Once I saw the scratches, the MS65 grade is a really farfetched idea and it looks better in my album without a false grade above it. If it didn't have those scratches though, I'd probably have left it alone.
I tried the "raw crackout crossover" for an 1899P AU58 which I thought would pass for MS something. I got it back with "Ragrets".
Take a gander at the 3rd picture, in the field by the right stars 3-5. That scratch alone could made it ungradeable and get a details listing. The reverse is a bit tougher to see, but the eagle's chest has fresh scratches, too. No way in the world would this get a 65 through any of the major TPG's. Without the scratches it would have a decent chance. JMHO, of course.
