for two years i have gone to numerous shows and auctions looking for unc morgans that are really nice for the grade but i have had little success. it seems that when i get them home i discover spots or hairlines that i missed under the florescent lights of the average show or the combination of flourescent and incandescent lighting at most auction viewings. i think that unc is just too hard for me and i need to try something easier to grade. since most morgans are unc, it is probably time to find another coin series that has an abundance of circs and are fairly easy to grade. any suggestions?
An abundance of circs? Well, I guess just about anything more recent. As for ease of grading, I guess that just depends on who you talk to. I don't think Franklin halves are that difficult until you start to get to the ultra higher grades. I don't yet collect Ikes, but they don't seem too bad for grading (please correct me if I'm wrong ). Ikes are a pretty short set too. Let us all know what you are leaning toward and you're final decision.
I found that Barber coinage (halves, quarters and dimes) are very abundant in circulated conditions except for middle of the road circulated like VF. The values jumps greatly when in the AU+ range.
Coasty, do you examine them with a loupe when you're at the shows? If you don't, you should. Hairlines can be deceptive. They can stand out as bright as day when you tilt the coin in one direction, and completely disappear when the coin is tilted in another direction. Chris
I would suggest either Walkers or Barber halves. I'm currently working on both of those, partly because they are reasonably priced in circulated grades.
With Barber Halves and reasonably priced, you need to be looking at VGs. Original VF/XFs can be extremely difficult to obtain, let alone pay for, in choice original condition.
Also an inexpensive white LED flashlight produces a harsher light than diffused fluorescent, and make hairline and scratches sometimes even look worse than they probably are. I use one with a single large white LED. And as Chris says, use a loupe. There is a specific way to hold the coin and loupe so it stays the right distance and angle from the eye and light. If I can find an illustration , I will post it. Jim Sorry , I forgot to say Welcome to the Forum!!
Barber halves or Bust halves are fairly east to learn to grade . They both look good worn too . rzage
yes, i use a 5x and a lighted 10x. i check for cartwheel, then strike, then wobble it looking for hairlines and yet success still alludes me. i have read several morgan books as well. i guess i have to find something easier to grade then go back to the unc morgans
