I found an 1884 Morgan Dollar and 1865 3-cent coin today and the Morgan is encased as a paperweight (not glass) that has no seam on it. I'm wondering what would be the best way to open it up without harming the coin (should I even open it?). Also, can anyone give an estimate on the grades of both? The scratches and blurred areas/dots are on the case of the Morgan, not the coin itself. These types of coins are firsts for me, thanks.
I would say both would grade about F12. I don't know of any way to release the Morgan from captivity without executing the prisoner. Maybe someone else does. But it's still a nice paperweight and conversation piece.
I agree with cloudsweeper.That is a nice Lucite paperweight and the value of it AS IS will exceed the value of just the circulated 1884 Morgan dollar.