I haven't seen a lot of toned Morgans in person, and I just bought this 1887 with some others sold as AU. I would appreciate any help determining if it has extra value and if I should send it in. It has very nice luster that cartwheels all the way around on both sides. I think it is MS of course. I've read the 1887s are known for nice toning. The first pair of photos shows the most toning. The next pair were taken completely flat and parallel to the camera. The next pair are two more examples, and the last pair were taken such as to minimize any color to the extent possible. Thanks!
Looks like high AU to me. In my opinion the toning looks natural, but it is not from a bank bag. I'm not sure what the toning premium would be. @ddddd would have a better idea than I.
Looks low MS to me. As far a "toning" premium, it all depends on a lot of things. Where would it be sold and how the market is doing. Some people like "blast white" and some, "toned" naturally. I myself, like toned coins.
I'm generaly not one for toned morgans mostly because they do carry high premiums and I'm cheap my taste is for horribly AT morgans at near melt lol I have many white morgans but prefer a natural patina/gold toning to rainbows That said, I will say grade wise I would call it 58-60, a slider for sure and could go either way from those pics Toning appear natural so I expect you could see a nice premium over the grade value of the coin
It looks like a slider to me (AU 58 to low MS) with decent toning. It has the look of coins stored in a velvet case, which can transfer some color (especially if kept in a hot/humid environment). There would be a premium on it but I would not expect a big one as the color is not intense enough and raw keeps the price lower (compared to graded).
Thanks! Sounds like maybe worth sending in for grading? I have a few other coins I'm curious about, and I've never submitted before.
I realize they don't determine value, and toning is especially subjective, but it would be nice to have it certified natural and graded, right?
Get it graded if you want to. Just don't go over your budget. I have a Morgan I would grade only because it means a lot to me, and not because I'm trying to up its value. If I personally had your coin, and I had some spare money and time, I'd do it. If you aren't expecting much of a boost in value, get it ANACS graded. What other coins are you considering right now?
I don't think it's worth the $30-$40 grading fee at PCGS/NGC plus other costs (like shipping) that will push your costs above the value of the coin. Now if you have a group of coins and are curious about the grading process, then an Anacs or ICG special would be the way to go. You can get coins graded for as low as $10 each (plus shipping costs both ways) and it can be a good learning experience. Certified does help to better determine the value, especially on a coin that appears to have a wide range of grades from a photo. For example, if it came back AU details (cleaned, artificial color, environmental damage, etc), then the value would be around the silver melt. However, if it came back MS 64, then the value would be the $80-$100 generic basis for untoned plus a toning premium (I think that premium would be relatively small-maybe $25-$50 over generic-but it can always go higher if there was a motivated buyer or bidding war at auction).
Thanks, I think I am going to send in a few to ANACS. I have a couple more Morgans I'm curious about. I also have a Barber half dollar that looks around Fine, and a SLQ that looks around VF, but I may hold off on those unless I can catch a special. I'm most curious about a couple of Roosevelt dimes I got in a "BU" roll that look like MSFT gems. Don't really want to send 1962 dimes in to come back worth 9 or 15 bucks, though.
Thanks a lot, you've really reaffirmed my thinking. I AM curious about the process, and a little bit to see if I have any eye at all. An ANSAC special is just what I'm hoping to catch, but probably won't be able to wait that long! I started mostly as a stacker (and some hand-me-down coins) but the beauty has pulled me in.
