Grade Opinions - 1881-S Morgan Dollar

One of my goals has always been to assemble a graded set of Morgan Dollars. Cost and just generally being overwhelmed as stopped me from starting seriously collecting my favorite series. I think it's time to start taking that seriously.

I think the first place to start is by examining my raw collection and seeing if there are any coins in there "worthy" of being in such a collection. Coins I might want to one day have graded rather than buying another example.

Here is one such coin. A common date 1881-S. I know, the 1881-S is widely available with stunning examples and this is not that fantastic...but this coin is very special to me. This is the very first Morgan I ever bought. I was probably 12 or 13 years old and this is the coin that made me fall in love with Morgan's.

In my opinion, this coin is nice but has some noticeable flaws. Most obvious is the marks on the cheek. It has nice mirror fields and some frosting...but it's not enough to make it PL (I didn't do a great job capturing it in the photos). It's certainly PL-like.

I would like your opinion on grade. I have a grade in my head...but I want to see what you guys think. @Morgandude11, I'd love your opinion

Please note, I am not asking you to GTG. This coin is raw. So, I have no grade to reveal. I just want your opinions.

 

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That's a beauty, great look. I'm in at MS64+.

 

MS 63

 

MS63+ PL-ish surfaces

 

Oh, that's a Beauty ! I say PL MS-64 .

 

The small cuts on the cheek hold it to 63 IMHO. This date often is pretty reflective, not sure if it would grade PL or not.

 

Honestly. This is exactly my thoughts in the coin. It’s lovely in hand but I think it is technically limited to a 63.

 

It is a beautiful coin, in terms of eye appeal. However the contact marks, plus the extreme toughness in grading that date brings it down to 63 or 63+, stretching it. I agree that as an 1881s, it would not grade PL. For a full set of Morgans, I would jump on a certified MS 65, with cleaner fields. TPGs kill those early S mint coins, if they see scuffs in the fields, and not a ton of frost. They are cheap enough, especially if you go NGC hunting, as opposed to PCGS.

 

I tend to agree with you...but this one might end up in a slab because of it's sentimental position in my collection. I think MS65 is the sweet spot for common dates.

 

I agree completely. As I told you, when I did my full set, my common dates ranged from a low of 64 to a high of 66+.

 

Def PL

 

64PL

 

Oh really? What makes you think so. Point out the die markers that indicate PL characteristics. There aren’t any, nor is the cameo sufficient. This is the toughest graded coin in the Morgan series. 1 out of 50 is Prooflike.

 

This coin does not have enough contrast to make PL. It does have nice mirriory fields and is an attractive coin...but it's not PL. As you know...true PL and DMPL Morgan's with early S mint dates are absolutely stunning. This coin is nice...but it's not stunning.

I always thought that 1880-S was the toughest graded coin in the series with the 81-S as a close second. Is that not accurate?

 

Such a good eye when you were 12 or 13. MS-64

 

Hard to say. 1979s, 1880s, 1881s, and 1882s are all brutally graded. There happens to be more attractive PL and DMPL coins in 1979s, and 1880s. As far as wildly toned coins, 1881s is definitely the year for magnificent toned coins.

 

Nice color, eye appeal, very slight doubled date. Excellent condition MS64, no PL. It is definitely a keeper, I'm jealous. I have two complete sets of Morgan's. I would place your Morgan in one of them. Thanks for posting your gem.

 

Ultimate compliment.

 

Good to know. I did not know that 81-S was a year for major toning.

 

I love this coin. I know it's not the best 81-S in the world but it was my first...and your first is always special.