Grade this 1883 o dark morgan

I'm having trouble grading this Morgan dollar because it is so dark. I see little to no wear and only one contact mark on the cheek and one on the reverse on the right breast/wing area. The photos picked up marks that are not noticible in hand with no magnification.

2 shots of each side:

Bruce

 

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Wow something happened to that coin, where did you get it, looks like it may have spent some time in the ground. I would say it has High XF details.

 

I would have to say this is a nice original 1883 - O which would probably grade 63/64 possibly with mirror like surfaces.

 

Imo this coin shows lots of wear. On the obv the hair has almost no details left. The reverse has strong wear on the eagle's wings, the breast, and the wreath. Also the coin shows no mint luster. I circled some spots that show wear.

 

I agree as well... XF details

 

raider34, this coin wasn't in the ground. There is no signs of corrosion or any wear or pitting on the coin. Upon closer inspection I see a coin that was not protected in someones coin album. The only bag marks are the one on the cheek which looks to have been caused by the edge of another coin with a typical 3 dot mark; and the reverse has the line going from the eagles right side breast area to the wing.

I would also say MS 63-64.

I'm hoping someone with more experience grading these darker coins could help me out here.

All comments welcomed. This is a learning experience for me.

Bruce

 

Did you see the pics I circled there is lots of wear on the coin, and you would need mint luster for the coin to be graded MS63 or 64. That coin 100% doesn't have mint luster.

 

I concur , If this coin was in the ground y'all can give me a mud bath.

 

Yes, I saw the pictures circled, after my last post. Granted, there is no luster, so I'll retract my MS grade. With the few contact marks I'll go with EF. Now, that wasn't too hard.

Bruce

 

It seems like whenever I post a coin or 2 I get Doug a bit stirred up. That's a good thing around here. Thanks, I do appreciate your input, all of you.

Bruce

 

I suspect the coin has more luster in-hand and I would grade it AU 50.

 

p.s. unless the photo is WAY off, that coin ain't "dark".

 

Yet another that agrees there is more than meets the eye , as I do.

 

It looks pretty good for being in the ground. I would give it an XF (I could even see it being an AU).

 

I think based upon these photos this is an XF Details Coin. If staining wasn't there, or whatever it is causing the black corrosion to totally diminish the mint luster this could be an AU coin. This corrosion looks to me to be the result of moisture or possible very high humidity I do not think this coin has been in the contact with dirt or there would be signs of pitting.

Too much wear on the Reverse and Obverse, even for an O Mint coin to make this UNC anything. Most obvious to me is the wear on reverse wing tips and wear on obverse's curls and cap.

 

There is evidence of a weak strike in the triangular area that makes up the D and O in DOLLAR and the O mint mark. The more I look at this coin in hand I believe some of the areas that seem to be worn may be a result of a weak strike in general. New Orleans coins have been known to be struck weakly. There are only a few noticeable contact marks. I still don't think this coin was in the ground but was probably exposed to high humidity and toned this grey color uniformly.

Bruce

 

I'd say XF-45.

 

okay I'll concede . My eyes must have been in poor focus this morning. There is significant wear on the reverse , now more than I recalled seeing this morning . I still don't think this coin was in the dirt though . So the lower grade calls are on target. Damn Meds.

 

I would rate it an XF-40. If everyone agrees to the MS63 though, please let me know. I need to upgrade the ratings of my morgans and increase their value in my spreadsheet.