MS 64?

Picked up this OGH 1902o Morgan for under market. Given my experience with Morgans, whenever I see an appealing one, priced low, I jump on it. I am trying to see exactly what keeps this coin at MS 64, and not as a gem grade. The surfaces are very clean. It has ample luster. Eye appeal is certainly there. Strike is weak, but that is almost guaranteed for a 1902o. How is this coin not a 65, or 65+?

 

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Just curious - do you have the coin in hand, or are these seller's pics?

I will definitely defer to you in terms of Morgan knowledge, it looks to me like maybe there are some marks in the fields on the obverse that the light is "hiding" - so to my eye maybe that would be what kept it from a 65? The light is more evenly spaced on the reverse, and no areas of overexposure, but it blows out the right and left fields of the obverse. I wonder if that's just how the coin reacts to the light?

 

Different exposure. Nothing hiding by the light. Pretty darn clean. Also, it isn’t just counting bagmarks on a Morgan—it is overall cleanliness of surfaces. MS 67 and 68 Morgans have marks.

 

I guess what I'm getting at is that the light is really "hot" on the two areas by the arrows, although I can see marks underneath it still. And I'm assuming there are some marks on her neck (in the circle?)

Again, I'm not a Morgan expert or even a Morgan collector, so I'll defer to others opinions. Just figured I'd ask a few questions and maybe learn something.

 

A few stray bagmarks do not preclude gem grade. Here is a 65+ from PCGS coinfacts. Note that the cheek and fields have many more marks. The key for Morgan grading is bagmarks in FOCAL areas, not a few strays:

an “official” 65+:

 

IDK why it's only a 64, but I swear I was bidding on that very coin a few weeks or so ago lol...

 

Perhaps a bit of a weak strike on the reverse?

 

Weak strike expected on a 1902o. Good strikes are rare with this date. Also, a small die crack on the obverse. Die state should not affect grade.

 

Thanks, I was not aware of that.

 

That's the exact reason I bought the one I did, the toning may be fugly, but a weak strike it is not

 

I could see it in a 65 holder; 64 was from a more conservative OGH era. There are some marks/hits, but like you mentioned, they aren't in focal areas. The jump in value isn't significant enough to crack (plus there is always the risk of getting a picky grader who gives it a 64 again) so I'd be happy with the coin as-is in the older holder.

 

That is what I intend to do. I agree with you. I tend to collect as many OGH coins that I can get.

 

It's in an old holder, maybe their staff at that time didn't like Morgans? LOL

 

Nice coin and a nice holder properly graded at 64.

There is just enough small contact marks on the obverse to hold it back from a 65.

 

In your opinion, not mine. How many Morgans do you own?

 

You asked for opinions and help seeing exactly what keeps it from a 64.

You got it.

I own enough Morgan's that I don't need help understanding grading.

 

"MS 67 and 68 Morgans have marks."

 

Apparently, you do. Another no-nothing newbie.

 

I may be a newbe to this forum but I would put my numismatic knowledge up against yours any day of the week.

You have no idea who I am or how much numismatic knowledge I have.
If you check with a few other long term members here you might find out I'm not a newbe.

How does your foot taste?

 

. Reported, and put on ignore.