Morgan Dollar

Discussion in 'What's it Worth' started by cykopat, Nov 13, 2007.

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  1. cykopat

    cykopat New Member

    cykopat, Nov 13, 2007
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  3. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    MS details - over-dipped.
     
    GDJMSP, Nov 14, 2007
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  4. huntsman53

    huntsman53 Supporter**

    I believe that is also over-dipped but an AU-55!


    Frank
     
    huntsman53, Nov 14, 2007
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  5. USS656

    USS656 Here to Learn Supporter

    I would have guessed AU as well due to the wear on the hair and breast feathers. I don't think the value changes much regardless of AU grade and dipping will only lower value.

    Darryl
     
    USS656, Nov 14, 2007
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  6. cykopat

    cykopat New Member

    What gives the appearance of dipping? It's possible it could just be the light that makes it look dipped?
     
    cykopat, Nov 14, 2007
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  7. rotobeast

    rotobeast Old Newbie

    Is that a scanner pic, or a camera pic ?
     
    rotobeast, Nov 14, 2007
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  8. cykopat

    cykopat New Member

    It's a pic from a macro mode Kodak Z615 Digital with a single Liteflo bulb.
     
    cykopat, Nov 14, 2007
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  9. luc87

    luc87 Lmcoins

    I would say MS-64.
    _________________________________________________________________
    Luc
     
    luc87, Nov 14, 2007
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  10. DoubleDie

    DoubleDie Senior Member

    The coin is not cleaned, but is AU in condition. The lighting makes the coin look dull.
     
    DoubleDie, Nov 14, 2007
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  11. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Yes it is possible. But since the pic does capture some remaining luster, that leads me to believe that there actually is only a little luster remaining on the coin. Dipped coins have a certain look - that one has it. That was the reason for my comment.

    You should also realize cykopat that fully 80% or more of all Morgan dollars have been dipped. And all too many of that 80% have been over-dipped. This is just a sad fact.
     
    GDJMSP, Nov 14, 2007
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  12. cykopat

    cykopat New Member

    I appreciate the information. I didn't mean to come off offended if I did about the "Dipped". I just didn't know what the tell-tale sign of dipping was. Again your comments and help are always welcome.
     
    cykopat, Nov 14, 2007
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  13. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    No worries pal, you didn't ;)
     
    GDJMSP, Nov 14, 2007
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  14. nwrobbins

    nwrobbins Junior Member

    Since I have so many Morgans, I'm curious where the "80% of all Morgans have been dipped" comes from. Just trying to learn what's what.
     
    nwrobbins, Dec 3, 2007
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  15. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    It is an estimate given by just about every expert and experienced numismatist there is. And it is not an estimate for Morgans, it is an estimate all older silver coins. It based upon the fact that coins tone, and there was nothing that could be done to stop it. Yet there are extremely large numbers of blast white coins out there. So how else did they get to be blast white unless they were dipped.

    Of course there is also the fact that until the 1950's or '60's, cleaning your coins was considered "the thing to do". And one of the most common ways of cleaning them was to dip them in chemicals.
     
    GDJMSP, Dec 3, 2007
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  16. coleguy

    coleguy Coin Collector

    I agree with Doug. I've been told by more than one expert that if you have a silver or copper coin that is older than 60 years and it appears to have it's original luster and no toning, it's been dipped. All coins tone, regardless of preservation techniques.
    Guy~
     
    coleguy, Dec 3, 2007
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  17. nwrobbins

    nwrobbins Junior Member

    Okay, that makes sense.

    As soon as I learn how to use our new scanner, I'll post some pics and see what you guys think.

    Thanks for the feedback.
     
    nwrobbins, Dec 4, 2007
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  18. acl864

    acl864 Senior Member

    Very interesting thread. I went to my Dad's house and borrowed one of his 1921 Morgan Dollars to post some images. As long as he's had them they've never been cleaned. He doesn't remember exactly when and where they came from but he's had them a long time. I'd conservatively guess 30+ years- maybe much longer. They've always been stored in a plastic coin tube with a screw on lid. Some of them have the toning and some look like this one? Any ideas why some look old and some don't.

    Again... thanks for all the shared knowledge in this and all the other threads on this forum!

    Andy
     

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    acl864, Dec 4, 2007
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  19. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Off the top of my head I'd say that coin is toned, just not toned a lot. But original coins do exist, just not in large numbers.

    Proper storage is everything with coins, if stored properly any toning will kept to a minimum. But that is the key, and in years past they did not have the coin holders and silica packs that we have today. But they did have things like metal tins with very tight fitting lids and mason jars used for home canning. Those things actually were airtight. So if someone kept their coins in them, toning would be very minimal.

    But take that '21 Morgan - even if your dad had it for 50 years, that still leaves 37 years that he did not have it. So it could have been dipped 51 years ago, or any time before that. And then your dad stored it properly. That would account for the minimal toning.
     
    GDJMSP, Dec 4, 2007
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  20. acl864

    acl864 Senior Member

    You are probably correct. If he obtained all of these at the same time (which I suspect) they probably came from a coin dealer back in the 50's. As I've read in this forum it was common practice to clean coins in that era. How does the cleaning affect the value? And there is still a possibility (however slight) that the coins have been preserved with their original luster. Is there anyway to determine if this is the case?
     
    acl864, Dec 5, 2007
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  21. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Harsh cleaning can reduce a coin's value by up to 80% or more. And sure, original luster can be detected by anyone who knows what they are looking at. But an in hand exam is required - pics don't cut it.
     
    GDJMSP, Dec 5, 2007
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